Reflecting on my early days in Cincinnati politics, I recall the challenges faced by non-Democratic candidates trying to make their mark in a predominantly one-party city. This episode brings those memories into sharp focus as we introduce the Charter Committee’s latest slate of candidates for the 2025 City Council elections.

With Laketa Cole, Steve Goodin, Don Driehaus, Dawn Johnson, and Aaron Weiner on board, there’s palpable excitement about their potential to reshape the city’s governance.

We explore the Charter Committee’s esteemed history, while examining the hurdles these non-Democratic contenders might face. The episode takes a thoughtful look at the Charter Committee’s stances on pressing issues, such as public safety and economic development in underrepresented neighborhoods like Bond Hill and Avondale.

This discussion naturally pivots to Mayor Aftab Pureval’s ambitious plans to redefine the Democratic Party through his Majority Democrat initiative and the tangible effects of his policies, including the Green Cincinnati Plan. As we speculate on the political dynamics that could unfold, the anticipation is high for the Charter Committee to catalyze significant conversations around Cincinnati’s future. This is more than just an election campaign; it’s a potential turning point for the city’s political landscape.

 

Cincinnati’s pension crisis looms larger than ever, and ignoring it isn’t an option. The city’s current approach—with a $64 million surplus just sitting on the sidelines—is stagnating progress.

Asset sales are a band-aid, not a cure, and the risks involved in regionalizing the waterworks make it a gamble we can’t afford to lose. Our episode spotlights the city’s hesitance to act on the straightforward advice from pension trust trustees: incrementally increase employer contributions. This simple yet effective strategy could revitalize the pension fund by 2045. Instead, Cincinnati’s priorities lie elsewhere, leaving one of its most critical financial obligations in jeopardy.

Join Todd as he scrutinizes the city’s financial strategies and call for an urgent reallocation of resources. Redirecting surplus funds to tackle urgent pension liabilities, deferred maintenance, and infrastructure deficits is not just prudent, but essential for ensuring the financial stability of both the city and its employees. We argue for a shift in focus from new commitments to honoring existing promises, like those to the pension participants. Together, let’s address these looming liabilities head-on, making sure they no longer overshadow Cincinnati’s financial future.

 

City budgets aren’t just about numbers; they’re arenas where power and transparency clash, especially when sidewalks are on the line.

With the clock ticking towards a June 30 deadline, we’re breaking down the complex labyrinth of Cincinnati’s budgeting process. We highlight the slippery slope of leveraged support and the arbitrary adjustments by the mayor and city council—adjustments that are ripe for corruption without clear criteria or conflict-of-interest safeguards.  It’s a dive into the murky waters of city politics, where the absence of accountability raises more than just eyebrows.

We’re also shining a spotlight on a contentious new twist in the sidewalk saga. Vice Mayor and Councilwoman Albi have thrown a curveball with their proposal for a Sidewalk Repair Pilot Program, stirring controversy by tapping into railway funds. This proposal isn’t just a bureaucratic shuffle; it challenges the city’s equitable spending plan, Cincy on Track, and evokes fears of misuse of resources.

As complaints pour in, we question the fairness of a rail-funded fix. Will this pilot program be a boon for the citizens or a backdoor for favoritism? Tune in as we unravel these budgetary plot twists and their potential impact on Cincinnati’s streets and its residents.

Todd unlocks the secrets of effective city governance as we expose the tangled web of a missing audit report and the story behind it.

Navigate with us through the perplexities of audit management, from the bombshell draft by Crowe LLP in December 2022 to the final report’s emergence nearly two years later. Despite the clear and valuable recommendations from Crowe—like improving council member recusals and managing conflicts of interest—the city has remained stagnant, leaving crucial improvements untouched.

You’ll learn why transparency is more than a buzzword and hear firsthand why action on these findings is desperately needed. As tensions rise over the unaddressed audit findings and a hefty $150,000 price tag, we question the city’s priorities and oversight capabilities.  With ongoing issues in vehicle procurement and financial allocations, the city’s new fleet plans are shrouded in controversy. Join the conversation as we unveil our plans to create a website dedicated to hosting key documents such as audit reports and city budgets, empowering you with the evidence to hold governance accountable. This episode promises to elevate your understanding of city governance challenges and the urgent necessity for transparency and accountability.

 

 

 

 

 

This week on “Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser,” is a discussion of Cincinnati’s 200 non-profit and other external grantees.

Our examination is just beginning, but we have already found 2 potential conflicts of interest and over a million dollars paid to a private venture capitalist over the past several years. It is not common for a city to pay public funds to a venture capitalist.

One important development is a recent report from the city’s Internal Audit Manager issued on April 27, 2025. She audited a “Leveraged Support” partner that has been receiving $250,000 a year from the city for many years. The report includes serious findings, especially for an organization that has received more than a million dollars from the city over the last several years.

1. Contract management review and oversight need improvement. Among the findings is missing documentation for $14,000 spent during the two years audited.

2. Payroll journals contain insufficient information to determine whether contractual terms are upheld. This is a major finding. This means that the non-profit is not able to support its reimbursement claims for the time its employees spent working on city-related matters

3. A 3rd party is unable to verify the terms of the contract. This is a major finding: This essentially means that the non-profit is “un-auditable.”

4. The contract language should be updated. This suggests that the terms of the funding contract between the city and the non-profit has simply been copied from one year to the next without being updated.

Remember that this is only 1 audit of more than 200 non-profits and other external organizations that have been receiving city funding for many years.

 

REDI Cincinnati Contract Compliance Audit (1)