Gahanna · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Gahanna public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
FY 2027 City Budget
The administration wants Council to confirm which strategic plan priorities the 2027 budget should fund. A citywide sustainability plan is on the list, but members disagree on what it should cover and whether more plans are worth the cost.
Supplemental appropriations
Council adopted supplemental appropriations to cover bond interest on the Gahanna Civic Center project, keeping the marquee downtown project's financing on track.
2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan
The city's five-year infrastructure and parks spending plan is one week from final adoption, now with the action sports park back in as an "identified" project after it was dropped.
Mayor's veto of salary ordinance
Council raised future pay for the mayor ($130,000, 2028), city attorney ($110,000, 2028) and council ($12,750/year, 2030). Backers say it keeps compensation in line with peer cities and opens office to more people; critics, including the mayor herself, said the timing is wrong with budget projections pending and deferred Issue 12 projects unfinished.
Income Tax Trends and Economic Outlook
The city's finances look solid: income tax withholding rebounded, the general fund sits at $48 million with a $10 million emergency reserve, and the city is on pace for its projected 4% income tax increase. Officials are watching inflation, tariffs, and possible state property tax reform.
Major capital projects and the funding gap
Gahanna's big-ticket projects — Creekside Garage and Plaza, Westside relief sewer, Stygler/Agler/US 62, Big Walnut Trail, and a future aquatics facility — add up to $85–106 million against finite city resources. Staff has applied for $30–40 million in outside grants and submitted 17 applications across eight project areas.
2025 Year-End Financial Results
Gahanna's general fund grew to about $48 million — nine months of operating expenses in reserve. Income taxes rebounded after a slow start, but staff flagged inflation, tariffs, energy costs, and possible state property tax reform as headwinds that could slow growth.
Electric supply agreement for city facilities
The city buys power for 67 accounts, about 4.2 million kWh a year, all currently renewable at just under 7.1 cents per kWh. Staff will shop rates before the December 6 change and keep renewables if the premium stays around $10,000 a year.
Short-term rental tax compliance
Gahanna is getting some short-term rental filings, but it's nearly impossible to verify full compliance because platforms like Airbnb and VRBO aren't required to report. Pending state legislation could force those companies to register rentals and collect local lodging taxes.
Our Gahanna Strategic Plan transparency dashboard
Planning Director Blackford reported construction progress on Elliott Park, Johnstown Road Apartments, Crescent Central Park, Northwest Bank and Biggby Coffee — plus new developer interest in the stalled Gahanna Logistics Center site.
Tax Incentive Review Council statutory fix
The city discovered its 2000 TIRC ordinance cited the wrong section of Ohio law, even though appointments were always made correctly. The fix also adds alternate members so all required representatives are available at the annual TIRC meeting.
Franklin County property value review sessions
Got your tentative property value in the mail and think it's off? Meet with an appraiser at the Gahanna Sanctuary Thursday or Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., before values become final — or use the Board of Revision later.
Strategic plan in the Charter
A draft amendment would require the mayor to maintain a strategic plan and report annually to council on progress. Some commissioners worry it doesn't belong in the charter; others see it as an accountability mechanism.
Organizational meeting date (not advanced)
Councilmember Bowers asked colleagues to consider allowing the January organizational meeting in the first week rather than fixed January 2. Views were split and the idea won't advance this cycle, though council may revisit draft language.
2026 Community Grants Program awards
Mayor Jadwin announced the city's $100,000 community grant program for nonprofits opens March 16, prioritizing food insecurity and housing assistance.
Charter review cycle: five years to ten
The commission is moving toward a ten-year charter review cycle instead of five, with formal drafting underway.
Charter review cycle and ballot strategy
The commission is steering toward a ten-year Charter review cycle instead of five years, and is trimming its ballot list to avoid voter fatigue — five proposals advance to drafting while weaker ones get cut.
Q1 revenue decline driven by return-to-office policies
General fund revenue is down about 8% versus last year, largely because big employers bringing workers back to offices means less income tax collected here. Permit revenue is booming, though, and reserves remain strong — so no budget cuts are planned for now.
2026 Franklin County Property Value Update
County values are being updated this triennial cycle, with Gahanna-Jefferson area values up about 8-9% — much milder than 2023's historic jump. Tentative notices mail in June/July and residents can challenge values at review sessions or via the Board of Revision.
Mayoral primary election changes
The draft amendment would eliminate the mayoral primary, saving the city roughly $300,000. Commissioners agreed the ballot reasoning should highlight the cost savings and alignment with state law.
Pricing policy deposit amendment
Groups getting free or discounted shelter and equipment rentals will still be able to be charged a refundable deposit under the amended policy, protecting city equipment like the recreation trailer. City Council still has to sign off.
House Bill 413 — state expenditure reporting mandate
A bill moving fast in the Ohio House would force cities to use the Open Checkbook platform for expenditure reporting. Gahanna dropped Open Checkbook years ago because it was cumbersome and misleading, and plans to oppose the unfunded mandate.
2026 Charter Review Commission
A charter review commission is meeting every other Thursday and taking proposals from board members and the public, with any recommended amendments possibly headed to the November ballot.
TIF ordinance repeal
Council is considering repealing a 2021 tax-increment-financing ordinance for property in the city — housekeeping that affects how tax dollars from that district flow.
City Attorney residency requirement
Commissioner Belisle wants data on whether requiring the elected City Attorney to live in Gahanna shrinks the pool of qualified candidates. She offered to research other municipalities.
Council Rules of Procedure revisions
Vice President Jamille Jones and Councilmember Merisa Bowers want to change Section 4.10 so council can hold meetings, retreats and town halls outside Council Chambers with proper notice — currently it can only leave chambers if a crowd overflows the room.
Purchasing procedure revisions
Right now the city administration can sign contracts up to $250,000 without a council vote. Councilmember Bowers wants that cut to $100,000 for transparency; the administration proposed $150,000, saying tighter rules could slow projects and hurt small vendors. No decision yet — a visual decision tree is coming.
Council oversight of real estate, development agreements and major contracts
Planning Commission Chair Pollyea proposed writing into the charter that Council must approve sales, purchases or transfers of city-owned land, keep legislative review of development agreements, and authorize major contracts above thresholds set by ordinance.
Tax incentive recommendations (Tax Year 2024)
Council's routine ratification of Tax Incentive Review Council recommendations was pulled from the agenda and postponed to Feb. 23 — no discussion occurred.
Tax abatement accountability
All 13 post-1994 abatements were found in compliance, and companies beat their job and payroll promises — but there's no clawback if a company misses goals over its 10-year term. Councilmember Bowers also questioned whether the county TIRC meeting was properly attended, which the city attorney will research.
Exit from Central Ohio Health Care Consortium
Gahanna left the consortium health plan last fall but got hit with a $207,939 share of a $1.4 million assessment. Council voted to pay it by the January 23 deadline rather than fight it, avoiding late fees.
USW labor contract 2026-2029
Council adopted a three-year labor contract with the USW bargaining unit covering 2026 through 2029 on an emergency basis, confirmed as consistent with the budget.