Mallory likely to veto Berding's budget

Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory called the budget proposal supported by five council members – Chris Bortz, Jeff Berding, Laketa Cole, Leslie Ghiz and Chris Monzel – “unworkable” on Tuesday, indicating he would probably veto the spending plan if it is passed during Wednesday’s council meeting.

There are two competing budget proposals. The alternative budget has the backing of the mayor, along with John Cranley, David Crowley, Cecil Thomas and Jim Tarbell.

“From my standpoint, it’s not a workable budget,” Mallory said. “The cuts they propose to the Health Department and human services are unreasonable. It’s just not workable.”

The mayor doesn’t have a vote on the budget, but his opinion is important because he can veto the document and it would take six votes to override that action.

Berding said his group fully expects the mayor to veto their version of the budget.

“Then we’ll have two options: we can reach a compromise or we can pass a continuation budget” and keep working on it, Berding said.

There is a public hearing on the budget tonight at 6 p.m. at Cincinnati City Hall.