At-Large Council Member· 2024-01-02–2028-01-01 (Charter §4.02: terms commence January 2 and terminate January 1; elected Nov 2023 per Franklin County BOE official canvass)
Merisa Bowers
Gahanna
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 34
- Total speaking time
- 3:22:07
- Avg per meeting
- 5:57
- Segments
- 2380
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Top issues during term (20)(Taxes Budget)
2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan
The plan shapes how capital dollars are spent over five years, including possible future funding for the action sports park.
Mayor's veto of salary ordinance
About $90,000 a year combined once fully phased in — roughly 0.2% of the city's $41 million general fund.
FY 2027 City Budget
The 2027 budget will direct funding toward the adopted priorities; sustainability plan development would require a budget allocation.
Our Gahanna Strategic Plan transparency dashboard
The Logistics Center site remains vacant after Council declined incentives, affecting the city's tax base potential.
Supplemental appropriations
Appropriation amount not stated at the meeting; it covers bond interest on the Civic Center project.
Charter review cycle: five years to ten
A prior charter amendment led to a mayoral primary that cost taxpayers more than $300,000; Schnetzer argues fewer reviews could avoid similar costs.
Tax Incentive Review Council statutory fix
No direct cost to residents — this is a housekeeping fix to keep the city's tax incentive oversight legally sound.
Strategic plan in the Charter
Cost depends on future councils — updates require appropriated funds, but the flexible language avoids mandating expensive processes.
Electric supply agreement for city facilities
Renewable power costs roughly $9,400 more a year than conventional energy — a modest premium the city has chosen to pay.
Major capital projects and the funding gap
Projects total $85–106 million; grants could save taxpayers tens of millions but some applications have already failed.
Income Tax Trends and Economic Outlook
General fund grew by about $3 million this quarter; the city is well above its two-month reserve policy.
2025 Year-End Financial Results
About $3 million was added to the general fund this quarter; rising costs could eventually redirect some city spending.
2026 Charter Review Commission
Unknown; a small communications effort but no budget figure given.
Franklin County property value review sessions
Final property values directly affect homeowners' property tax bills.
Short-term rental tax compliance
The city is likely missing some lodging tax revenue it can't currently verify or collect.
2026 Community Grants Program awards
$100,000 in city funding distributed to nonprofits over the year.
Charter review cycle and ballot strategy
Each ballot measure carries election and drafting costs; fewer proposals mean a shorter, cheaper ballot.
Purchasing procedure revisions
Affects how roughly $14.5 million in professional services purchases over four years are reviewed; no direct spending change.
House Bill 413 — state expenditure reporting mandate
Software and staff costs of implementing Open Checkbook would land on the city without state funding.
Mayoral primary election changes
Eliminating the primary would save the city about $300,000 when triggered.
Decisions during term (0)
Recorded while Bowers was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
No decisions found matching Taxes Budget.
Voting record (0)(Taxes Budget)
No votes found matching Taxes Budget.