A New Music Center – Episode 52

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They’re spending $8M on a music venue — while Cincinnati faces a $29.5M deficit. Sound crazy? Here’s what’s really going on… 🎶💸

Do you think the city should prioritize crime, housing, and streets over slick pet projects.
Ever wonder how city budgets really work? I dug into the details of Cincinnati’s Farmer Music Center and found some surprising truths.
It’s not just about the $8 million, it’s about the bigger picture of transparency, priorities, and how public funds are really used.
Most important: This isn’t just a local issue — it’s a lesson in how cities sometimes gamble with taxpayer money, banking on future profits that might never come.
Worth thinking about.

Deep Dive Into Cincinnati’s Grant Programs – Episode 51

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Todd Zinser discusses the various grant programs administered by the City of Cincinnati, highlighting the complexities and challenges associated with funding distribution. He outlines the four primary mechanisms through which the city allocates funds, emphasizing the risks involved in grants and contracts. The conversation delves into the lack of transparency in the funding process, the identification of long-term grantees, and the need for reforms to enhance accountability and public oversight.

Interview with Ralph Hodge talking about investments by local governments- Episode 50

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Todd Zinser explores the complexities of local government investments, focusing on how public funds are managed, invested, and overseen, including the Cincinnati Southern Railway Trust Fund. Guest Ralph Hodge shares insights on investment strategies, transparency, and fiduciary responsibilities in the public sector.

Episode 49 – The Rising 15 Motions, Reparations, & Their Implications (3.5.26)

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In this episode, Todd Zinser discusses the Rising 15 neighborhoods in Cincinnati and the proposed reparations program aimed at addressing historical injustices related to housing discrimination. He explores the historical context of Cincinnati’s housing policies, the various motions related to the Rising 15, and the implications of the reparations motion introduced by city officials. The conversation delves into the funding sources for the reparations program, the challenges it may face, and the importance of understanding the historical context behind these initiatives.

WCPO – Black United Front asks city to allocate railroad fund 10.6.23

Motion 202302164 Rising 15 10.6.23

Motion 202302256 Rising 15 10.19.23

Motion 202500110 Sidewalk Repair 1.16.25

Motion Rising 15 202500167 1.27.25

Motion Rising 15 202502027 11.11.25

Motion Reparations 202600944 2.19.26

U. Mass Timeline of Reparations in the United States

Cincinnati segregation_ How history shaped Cincinnati’s neighborhoods

Cincinnati segregation_ Most white neighborhoods are on East Side

Segregation in Cincinnati’s neighborhoods_ A brief history

Segregation, housing, more_ 5 takeaways on Cincinnati neighborhoods

Kenyon-Barr_ Cincinnati apologizes for razing neighborhood

Residents accuse Cincinnati of discriminatory housing over decades

Racial bias lawsuit_ Cincinnati settles suit over homeowner tax breaks

 

 

Ongoing challenges of the Cincinnati retirement system-Episode 48

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Todd Zinser discusses the ongoing challenges facing the Cincinnati retirement system, particularly in light of a recent mediation regarding a class action lawsuit. The conversation delves into the funding status of the pension system, the implications of the Cincinnati Futures Commission’s recommendations, and the potential regionalization of the city’s waterworks as a means to address the pension deficit. The episode highlights the city’s moral obligations to its retirees and the need for strategic financial planning to ensure the sustainability of the pension system.

The City’s Inability to Spend All the Railway Money – Episode 47

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In this episode, Todd Zinser discusses the ongoing issues surrounding the Cincinnati railway trust fund and the city’s struggle to effectively utilize the funds for infrastructure projects.

He highlights the low percentage of funds spent, the challenges faced by the city in managing these resources, and the need for better accountability and transparency.

Todd offers recommendations for improving the situation, including increasing the city’s capacity to manage infrastructure projects and establishing a more effective drawdown system for fund distribution.

Year in Review – Episode 46

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In this episode of Citizen Watchdog, Todd Zinser reflects on the past year of podcasting, discussing key themes such as public safety, railroad issues, internal audits, and ongoing investigations like the lead pipe scandal. He emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability in city governance, highlighting conflicts of interest and the impact of COVID funds on local government. Looking ahead, Todd shares his plans for future initiatives and the importance of oversight in Cincinnati.

Citizen Watchdog Podcast Categories 2.25 – 2.26.docx

Podcast Index – Start Here

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This table lists all episodes of  the “Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser” podcast, beginning with the most recent – to our first podcast on February 7, 2025.

The index is a work-in-progress. For now, this is a plain index without hyperlinks; direct links will be added soon.

 

Episode

 Title Date Length
45 Cincy’s COVID Distribution & Oversight – or Lack There Of February 2, 2026 23:55
44 Emergency Ordinances January 29, 2026 21:32
43 Understanding Truancy Hidden Crisis in Cincy Schools January 22, 2026 19:02
42 Proposed Income Tax Increase January 12, 2026 20:51
41 Raising Taxes January 5, 2026 25:03
40 Dissecting Cincinnati’s $8.1 million settlement December 11, 2025 18:48
39 Inside the City’s Lead Pipe Scandal November 25, 2025 18:18
38 Fraud Indicators in the WIC Program November 19, 2025 21:28
37 Holding Leaders Accountable in Cincinnati November 13, 2025 20:54
36 Breaking Down Mayor Aftab’s “Accomplishments.” October 31, 2025 26:49
35 The Collaborative Agreement Refresh October 20, 2025 22:44
34 Reviewing  Iris Roley’s contracts October 6, 2025 26:41
33 Mayor Pureval’s Conflict of Interest with a City Funded Non-Profit September 29, 2025 14:10
32 Rethinking Safety in Our Cities September 15, 2025 20:42
31 Cincinnati’s Mismanaged Lead Pipe Program September 8, 2025 24:58
30 Rethinking City Decisions and Upcoming Elections September 4, 2025 19:12
29 Todd Zinser LIVE with George Brunemann from RestoreLiberty.US August 28, 2025 29:02
28 Eliminating District 5, Who’s Watching Out For Safety? August 20, 2025 23:34
27 Tensions Between Law Enforcement and Iris Roley August 12, 2025 21:41
26 Investigating the Tragedy of Patrick Heringer August 6, 2025 17:23
25 Sarah Heringer’s Demands July 28, 2025 25:06
24 Cincinnati Financial Freedom Blueprint July 23, 2025 24:39
23 Charter Committee’s Candidates July 14, 2025 23:38
22 Gun Violence and ACT for Cincy July 7, 2025 18:35
21 Cincinnati’s Pension Liability June 29, 2025 18:08
20 City Transparency June 21, 2025 18:26
19 Where the Sidewalk Ends… June 13, 2025 20:36
18 The Great Cincinnati Train Robbery June 1, 2025 16:50
17 Look what we found! The Missing Audit. May 27, 2025 19:18
16 Cincinnati’s Fleet Audit May 15, 2025 17:22
15 Reforming Cincinnati’s Funding Framework May 12, 2025 15:56
14 Financial Dilemmas in the Pursuit of a Green Agenda May 4, 2025 19:53
13 Cincinnati’s Green Ambitions: A Budget Mysteries April 19, 2025 17:06
12 Cincinnati’s Missing Audit March 30, 2025 14:44
11 Secrecy in Cincinnati Government March 22, 2025 12:30
10 Fraud Hotline – Struggle Against Public Misconduct March 20, 2025 15:05
9 Should Cincinnati pound the table on DEI? March 14, 2025 13:58
8 A Battle for Hyde Park’s Future March 8, 2025 14:17
7 Exposing Audit Oversight Failures in Cincinnati March 4, 2025 13:12
6 Cincinnati’s City Budget: Clientelism and Politics February 26, 2025 12:07
5 The ARC Program and Its Impact on Public Safety February 20, 2025 9:05
4 Rethinking Crime Strategies in Cincinnati February 16, 2025 10:13
3 Accountability: Cincinnati Railway Trust Fund Board February 11, 2025 7:35
2 Hidden Truth Behind Urban Funding February 10, 2025 9:57
1 The Railroad Money and the Rising 15 February 7, 2025 8:37

Cincy’s COVID Distribution & Oversight (Lack ThereOf)-Episode 45

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In this episode of Citizen Watchdog, Todd Zinser delves into the complexities surrounding the COVID funding received by the city, exploring how the funds were categorized, the challenges in tracking their distribution, and the implications for future tax increases.

He highlights the lack of transparency in spending and the need for accountability in how the funds were utilized, particularly concerning nonprofit support and budget stabilization efforts.

Documents related to Cincinnati’s receipt and use of State and Local Fiscal Relief Funds are posted in the Research Library.

 

 

Emergency Ordinances- Episode 44

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In this episode, Todd Zinser discusses the mechanics of passing legislation in city council, focusing on the increasing normalization of emergency ordinances. Todd highlights the implications of this trend on democracy, citizen engagement, and the legislative process.

Through research and analysis, the Citizen Watchdog reveals the alarming frequency of emergency ordinances and the challenges they pose to public oversight and accountability. Todd calls for reform to ensure that citizens have a voice in the legislative process and emphasizes the need for transparency in local governance.

Cincinnati City Council 2025 Percentage of Emergency Ordinances