Delaware · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Delaware public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Ordinance 305 Interpretation — Committee Authority Over Parking Decisions
A city attorney memo confirms minor parking and lane changes don't need full Council ratification, giving this committee real decision-making power instead of being a pass-through. Code language will be updated to match.
2027 City Budget Appropriations
The ~$209 million 2027 budget is on its way through readings, with Finance Committee review now authorized and hearings November 9 and 23.
Sakata delegation visit and budget request
Delaware's sister city Sakata, Japan sends student videos annually and a visit in 2027 is on the table. The board was scheduled to discuss timing and who would lead the planning.
Sawmill Parkway TIF district
The Sawmill Parkway TIF was finalized as part of the cooperative agreement with Delaware County, diverting new property tax growth to fund public infrastructure there.
Citywide Community Reinvestment Area expansion
Economic development staff outlined major projects: a Kroger Marketplace opening in 2026, Blue Jackets-related development expected to break ground this year, PPG's $280 million expansion adding about 100 jobs, and a potential 1.5–2 million square foot biotech park at Gateway Commerce Park generating 500–1,000 jobs.
2026 Third-quarter Budget Supplement
Passed with an emergency clause: $426,000 for refuse truck replacement, $110,000 more road salt, $50,000 emergency airport fuel tank repair, guardrail and HR recruiting dollars, and more.
Sawmill Parkway TIF districts
Addison Sawmill pays $627,000-plus toward future US 42/Sawmill Parkway improvements and gets about $56,000 reimbursed for installing a bigger water line the city needs for future growth.
2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan
The city's five-to-seven-year wish list for roads, buildings, parks and equipment. This year it's organized by neighborhood instead of department, and pairs full street repaving with waterline replacement so residents get finished streets in one shot instead of piecemeal work.
City telephone system replacement
The current phone system hits end-of-life in June 2027. A $230,000 replacement with a five-year support agreement is proposed, and members suggested exploring whether every employee still needs a desk phone to trim costs.
Third-quarter budget amendments
Council got its first look at the mid-year budget patch: road salt, higher fuel costs, a future refuse truck replacement, and school distributions from TIF funds. The vote comes September 14.
Strategic Plan Priorities for 2026-2027
Council picked its top priorities for the next phase of the strategic plan — development incentives, transparency, workforce housing, the hotel, school relationships, trails, and riverfront access. These will guide where city money and staff time go.
August 10 meeting canceled
With three members out on August 10, council canceled that meeting via an emergency resolution; the next regular meeting is August 24.
Grants Administrator position added to pay plan
City government is adding an M8-level grants administrator to chase grant funding citywide, hoping the position pays for itself through grants won; a supplemental appropriation will be needed before year-end.
Wonderlic assessment elimination
After three years, the city found the $12,000-a-year Wonderlic test didn't reliably predict how police and fire candidates performed. PRADCO's existing testing already covers cognitive ability, so the commission dropped it and freed up recruiting funds.
Mid-year budget amendments
Two ordinances would roll $11.7 million of road notes and convert $20.25 million (Fire Station 305 and The Point) into 20-year bonds. Hearings February 9 before any votes.
Electric aggregation contract renewal
The program has saved AEP customers about $534 and Ohio Edison customers about $600 versus default rates, but prices are climbing. Council must approve a new contract by mid-April to keep the fixed rate on June bills.
City credit rating and finances
City officials met Moody's in Chicago seeking to reaffirm the Aa1 rating ahead of $34 million in short- and long-term financing. Interest income is up, income tax is flat, and permits are recovering.
School funding and substitute levies
School officials explained how state funding changes and substitute levies interact with the 20-mill floor, warning the district could be hit twice in a short timeframe as tax shifts occur.
Bond and note issuance for fire stations and roads
Council locked in up to $20.25M in bonds for fire station and transportation projects and $11.7M to refinance road debt. The city's AA1 rating and ~4% rates made this a good time to borrow long-term, and dedicated revenues — not your general fund — cover most payments.
AFSCME clerical contract
City clerical union employees get a 4.5% wage table bump, retroactive to December 21, 2025, plus updated residency language matching city ordinance.
Fee schedule and construction inspection increases
Building and engineering fees are going up — plan review fees rise 28% to nearly double, and construction inspection jumps from $60 to $90 an hour. These mostly hit developers and utility companies, not homeowners doing driveway repairs.