Finance Committee Meeting - August 20, 2026

This summary covers the Finance Committee meeting of the City of Gahanna. The agenda and minutes list the meeting date as August 17, 2026, but the instructions for this summary specify August 20, 2026. The discrepancy is noted. The meeting was called to order at 7:56 p.m. and adjourned at 8:39 p.m. All committee members were present. Discussions focused on the Our Gahanna Strategic Plan update, the FY 2026 Q2 Financial Report, and the Capital Improvement Plan update.

Our Gahanna Strategic Plan

• Senior Director Vollmer presented the second-quarter update. Staff identified strategic plan champions and team roles, aligned the plan with the budget (new personnel request form, updated budget book, standardized department narratives), and reported 116 projects in progress. Highlights included expanded professional development (three staff in MPA cohort through Franklin University, Parks and Recreation staff attending NRPA Maintenance School) and the Citizens Academy expanding from seven to nine sessions starting September 2, 2026. The city selected project management software that can connect multiple plans (Our Gahanna, Parks Master Plan, Economic Development Strategy).
• Kelsey Bartholomew, Management Analyst II, demonstrated a prototype of the public dashboard. The dashboard will be publicly accessible and show progress for each of the four goal areas with color-coded indicators (on track, behind, completed, upcoming). Users can drill down to objectives, strategies, projects, and action items.
• Councilmember Jones expressed strong support for the dashboard, particularly its transparency and detail. Councilmember Bowers asked about similar dashboards for other plans; Director Vollmer confirmed the software supports additional plans, though complex plans may take longer. Chairman Renner asked about social media integration; Vollmer confirmed exporting features for graphics, links, and shortened links.

FY 2026 Q2 Financial Report

• Finance Director Joann Bury presented the financial update. General Fund income tax revenue rebounded after a slower first quarter attributed to work-from-home requirements and ODOT projects. Licensing and permit revenue remained above prior year, reflecting continued capital investment. General Fund expenditures were 37% of budget (60% with encumbrances). The main increases were salaries and benefits, staffing for the new Civic Center, utility costs, and a COHCC payment. The fund balance increased by $3 million to approximately $48 million, with $10.9 million reserved for encumbrances and $10 million for emergency reserve, leaving $26.9 million (nine months of operating expenses), well above the two-month policy requirement.
• Special revenue funds tracked as expected: Public Safety on track, Parks and Recreation at midpoint of season, Engineering awaiting staffing improvements. Public Safety contract services decreased because the mental health liaison moved from contracted services to staff. Parks and Recreation seasonal staffing increased due to additional operating days.
• Capital Improvement Fund revenue followed similar trends; investment income declined as bond proceeds were spent. Expenditures were 24% of plan (97% with encumbrances). The city spent $14.5 million on active projects and $24.5 million committed via purchase orders.
• Income tax: withholding rebounded and appears on track for a 4% increase. Individual income taxes increased, net profit taxes normalized after unusually high collections last year.
• Investments: mostly STAR Ohio, government bonds, CDs, and commercial paper. Some inactive funds will move into the investment portfolio in Q3.
• Lodging tax: revenue increased 43% compared to the prior year, reaching 54% of the budgeted amount at the halfway point. Short-term rental filings are being received, but full compliance is nearly impossible to determine. Pending state legislation could require platforms like Airbnb and VRBO to identify localities and collect/remit taxes.
• Economic conditions: continued state-level property tax reform discussions, Middle East conflict, rising energy costs, tariff impacts, and inflation. No interest rate movement planned for 2026. Continued cost increases could slow or redirect growth, but activity is not expected to stop completely.
• Councilmember McGregor asked about short-term rental numbers; Director Bury stated the number is not large but difficult to verify and noted the pending legislation.

Capital Improvement Plan

• Senior Director Schultz reviewed the adoption schedule: formal CIP introduction on September 28, final adoption on October 19; capital budget introduction on October 27, budget workshop on October 29. Staff will refine project information over the next 30 days.
• Large capital project updates:
  • Creekside Garage and Plaza: The city issued an RFP for construction manager at risk services and selected a preferred vendor. A preconstruction contract of approximately $80,000 will come before Council due to the project's significance, though it technically does not require approval. The full contract is expected in September. Flood mitigation is part of the project, but the full scope is not yet finalized.
  • Academy Park: The city hopes to complete the bidding process by the end of the year.
  • Westside utility projects: The relief sewer design is approximately 30% complete, with transportation improvements along West Johnstown Road from James Road west to Goshen. The project addresses water-in-basement issues in the College Park neighborhood. The Columbia Gas pipeline will affect the same area, extending east to Taylor Station Road.
  • Big Walnut Trail: Delayed from 2028 to 2029 after an opportunity to realign and redesign the trail and seek additional funding. The city received approximately $2.5 million in additional funding from LinkUS.
  • Stygler Road, Agler Road, U.S. 62: The city issued an RFP for design services. The Transportation Improvement District awarded $200,000, but full design will cost several million dollars. The project must consider a broader area extending north and south, coordinating with West Johnstown Road improvements.
  • Aquatics Master Plan: A site investigation of the Gahanna swimming pool property is underway to evaluate geotechnical conditions, flood impacts, and feasibility of building the planned improvements. FEMA is reviewing flood maps that could affect both the pool property and the Creekside project.
  • Service and Parks garage: The city investigated several parcels but has not yet identified a suitable location. Approximately seven to twelve acres are needed, which is difficult to find within the city.
• Total large capital projects are estimated at $85-106 million. Senior Director Schultz emphasized the need for outside funding due to finite resources. The city has applied for $30-40 million in grants, though some applications have been unsuccessful (e.g., $8.8 million BUILD grant for West Johnstown Road, which the city will reapply for). The city submitted 17 applications across eight project areas, including $17 million for Stygler/Agler/US62. Smaller grants (e.g., $75,000 for Price Road) are also pursued. Awarded funding includes the $2.5 million for Big Walnut Trail and state capital for Creekside. Schultz noted the city competes against major projects (e.g., Browns stadium) for some grants.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken. All items were for discussion and information only.
• Next steps:
  • The public dashboard will continue development, and reporting templates will be drafted to further integrate the strategic plan into Council reports, annual reports, financial reports, and CIP reporting.
  • The full Capital Improvement Plan will be presented to Council on September 28, 2026, with adoption scheduled for October 19, 2026. The capital budget will be introduced on October 27, followed by a workshop on October 29.
  • The construction manager at risk contract for the Creekside Garage and Plaza is expected to come before Council in September 2026.
  • Staff will continue pursuing grant funding for large capital projects, with reapplication planned for unsuccessful grants.