Delaware · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Delaware public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
2027 Commercial Refuse Collection Rates
New proposed rates for businesses that get city trash collection in 2027. What businesses pay affects their costs — and potentially prices customers see.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.