Last year during the campaign to sell the city-owned Cincinnati Southern Railway, Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval called the city's budget outlook "dire."

In April, the Cincinnati Futures Commission issued a report saying the city would be on the verge of collapse if it didn't sell assets, raise taxes and fix the pension.

For months city leaders have predicted more than a $20 million deficit in next year's budget.

All that doom and gloom is nowhere in the 2025 fiscal year budget that was released to the public Friday at 11 a.m., just before the long holiday weekend. The general fund budget clocks in at $570 million, up from $527 million − an 8% increase.

"The city is on strong financial footing," Pureval said at a Friday press conference. "But fundamental, long-term fiscal challenges remain. That's the reason I tasked the Futures Commission."

City Manager Sheryl Long said the budget proposal is driven by data. Every group slated to get funding has had their work vetted, she said. She added there are big investments in neighborhoods included in the spending plan.

From announcement to passage: 19 days?

The budget is set to pass on June 12, ahead of the June 30 deadline. That gives citizens 19 days to scrutinize the document and weigh in. A public hearing is set for the night of June 3. Two hearings have already been held, but they focused on community priorities, not the details. The budget will be discussed in council committee and council meetings. At the same time, council will be working to pass the city's Connected Communities plan, which has drawn some citizen ire. That discussion is expected the first week of June.

So what about the Futures Commission?

The short answer: The mayor and city manager said it's too soon to tell. The administration is reviewing the document to see exactly what ideas from the document are possible. That report is due at the end of June. Pureval did say the city manager is already looking at many of the same things the Futures Commission recommended.

Better neighborhoods

For the first time in years, community councils are set to get more money. The 48 active community councils would all get roughly $11,000, up from roughly $7,000. Neighborhood business districts would also get more money, $7.35 million. This money would be dedicated to a "quick strike" fund that targets strategic acquisitions and improvements.

Does Cincinnati need a new arena? Study underway

The city budget, in a match to county money, set aside $25,000 for the arena study, which will be overseen by the Cincinnati Regional USA Chamber. Pureval said the questions at hand are: "Does Cincinnati need a new arena? Who would pay for it?"