Gahanna · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Gahanna public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Data centers and regional water resources
Councilmember Renner highlighted Central Ohio's 150+ data centers and Columbus's move toward reusing treated wastewater for industrial cooling — a possible way to protect drinking water while supporting growth.
Columbia Gas North Columbus High Pressure pipeline project
Columbia Gas will replace about 4.33 miles of pipeline in Gahanna during 2027, hitting Agler, James, Price, Morrison, North Hamilton, Taylor and Taylor Station roads. Expect about 60 days of significant traffic impacts on Taylor Road starting in January, though Taylor Station Road won't close.
West Side utility relief sewer and West Johnstown Road improvements
A relief sewer now about 30% designed will address water-in-basement problems from Coronation down through the College Park neighborhood, bundled with West Johnstown Road road improvements. The city will keep applying for federal BUILD grant money after missing this cycle.
Taylor Road Water Main Replacement cost increase
The city hired Shelly & Sands to replace the Taylor Road water main. Councilmember Bowers warned it will likely disrupt traffic and residents in the southern part of town.
New residential waste collection contract (Rumpke, 2027-2031)
Trash pickup switches to Rumpke in January 2027 at roughly $3.68 more per household per month, still about 20% below peer communities. Pickup days and containers stay the same, but concerns linger about loose recycling litter and whether the low bid reflects sustainable competition.
Waterline break response and Gahanna Direct portal
The water bill payment portal gets a facelift April 1. If you use autopay, you'll have to re-enter your account and payment info — security rules won't carry it over.
Trash collection on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Padova revived a request from 2021 to pause trash collection on MLK Day, honoring the sanitation workers' strike tied to Dr. King's final days. The issue wasn't addressed in the bid, but staff agreed to raise it with SWACO and Rumpke.
Rising electric aggregation rates
SOPEC reported Gahanna Energy Plus customers have saved nearly $1 million versus the utility rate, but new rates will rise amid grid capacity shortfalls and data center demand. Residents get a 21-day opt-out window with no exit fees.
2026 Sanitary and Storm Sewer Cleaning
The Visu-Sewer contract covers annual cleaning of sanitary and storm sewers, adopted on an emergency basis to start before April 27. Regular sewer cleaning helps prevent backups and flooding.
2026 sewer cleaning and CCTV program
A $398,000 contract with Visu-Sewer of Ohio will clean and camera-inspect sanitary and storm sewers south of U.S. Route 62 — more than city crews can handle alone.
Sewer capacity charge update
Council updated the fees charged for connecting to the sewer system, adopted as an emergency so it takes effect immediately.