Council refers 2026 Capital Investment Budget after brief public hearing

Akron City Council opened a public hearing on Jan. 26 for the proposed 2026 Capital Investment and Community Development Program and referred the item for additional input.

City planning staff described the proposed capital program as the product of months of departmental work and said it focuses on street and sidewalk improvements, parks and public facilities, economic development projects, debt service linked to capital projects, and water and sewer upgrades. Staff told council the proposed program represents approximately $342,000,000 in investments and said the planning department had reviewed the capital budget with council on Jan. 5 and Jan. 12.

During the public hearing, William Reynolds of 421 Crestwood Avenue spoke to a specific safety issue he said is reflected in the budget: the practice of equipping patrol officers with long guns. Reynolds said he opposes arming all officers and urged the city to use the budget to require narrow, precise policies if long‑gun purchases proceed, including de‑escalation protocols and secure vehicle storage so a long gun is not the first weapon deployed.

After hearing public comment, Councilman Fusco moved to pull the item to committee and refer it for additional input; council noted there are two Monday meetings available before the city’s Feb. 15 charter deadline for action and that this would allow time for more public input. No final appropriation or adoption occurred at the Jan. 26 session.

Next steps: the planning committee will collect additional input and report back to council before Feb. 15.