Gahanna Schedules Public Hearings on 2027 Municipal Budget
City Council opens legislative review of operating appropriations, setting resident hearings for Nov. 16 and Dec. 7 with internal transfer limits.
Gahanna City Council introduced the city's annual municipal appropriations ordinance on Nov. 5, opening formal legislative review of upcoming municipal operations. Under the measure, council determined that appropriations are needed for current expenses across all municipal funds for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2027.
The legislation schedules two public hearings on Nov. 16 and Dec. 7 to receive comment from residents on the proposed 2027 spending plan prior to final action.
Under the ordinance, the city will establish line items for current operating expenses and other expenditures across all funds, departments, and expenditure categories.
The legislative process follows an initial rollout on Nov. 2, when the municipal administration presented the proposed 2027 budget to City Council.
That presentation took place during a City Council Finance Committee budget workshop in council chambers at the Gahanna Civic Center, 825 Tech Center Drive, following public notice posted on Oct. 30.
Under the draft measure, Gahanna's director of finance receives authority to transfer appropriations within each department in amounts up to $3,000 without separate council approval.
The ordinance also authorizes the finance director to draw warrants for approved department expenditures, while prohibiting wage and salary payments to anyone not employed by authorized authority under applicable laws.
Previously, Pique reported that Gahanna halved its income tax growth forecast as remote work squeezed the capital plan on Oct. 23.
During a Sept. 28 Committee of the Whole meeting, Senior Director of Operations Kevin Schultz explained that Finance Director Joann Bury lowered the assumed annual income tax growth projection from 4% to 2% based on 2026 performance and return-to-work changes.
Schultz stated that the lower rate reduced projected resources by approximately $3.6 million across all income-tax-supported funds, including about $1.1 million within the Capital Fund.
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The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
Supporting evidence (6)
Under the measure, council determined that appropriations are needed for current expenses across all municipal funds for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2027.
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WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that appropriations are required to provide for current expenses and other expenditures for all funds of the City for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2027.
The legislation schedules two public hearings on Nov. 16 and Dec. 7 to receive comment from residents on the proposed 2027 spending plan prior to final action.
Read supporting passage
WHEREAS, the City Council has scheduled two public hearing opportunities for November 16, 2026, and December 7, 2026, to receive public comment on the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2027; and
Under the ordinance, the city will establish line items for current operating expenses and other expenditures across all funds, departments, and expenditure categories.
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Section 1. That to provide for the current operating expenses and other expenditures for all funds of the City of Gahanna during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2027, the total sum of $_________ is hereby set aside and appropriated among the funds, departments, and expenditure categories as shown in EXHIBIT A, attached hereto and made a part hereof.
The legislative process follows an initial rollout on Nov. 2, when the municipal administration presented the proposed 2027 budget to City Council.
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WHEREAS, on November 2, 2026, the Administration presented the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2027 to City Council; and
Under the draft measure, Gahanna's director of finance receives authority to transfer appropriations within each department in amounts up to $3,000 without separate council approval.
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Section 3. That the Director of Finance is authorized to transfer appropriations within each department in an amount up to $3,000 without the separate approval of Council, subject to applicable law.
The ordinance also authorizes the finance director to draw warrants for approved department expenditures, while prohibiting wage and salary payments to anyone not employed by authorized authority under applicable laws.
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Section 4. That the Director of Finance of the City of Gahanna is hereby authorized to draw warrants for payments from the foregoing appropriations upon receipt of proper certificates and vouchers approved by the officers or heads of departments authorized by law to approve such expenditures; provided that no warrants shall be drawn or paid for salaries or wages except to persons employed by authorized authority and in accordance with applicable laws or ordinances.
https://gahanna.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/522
Supporting evidence (1)
That presentation took place during a City Council Finance Committee budget workshop in council chambers at the Gahanna Civic Center, 825 Tech Center Drive, following public notice posted on Oct. 30.
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Notice is hereby given that the City Council Finance Committee will meet on Monday, November 2, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at the Gahanna Civic Center, 825 Tech Center Drive, Gahanna, Ohio 43230.The purpose of the meeting is to conduct a budget workshop featuring a presentation of the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Budget.Please be advised that the regular City Council meeting will convene immediately following the conclusion of the Finance Committee meeting, rather than at its regularly scheduled time of 7:00 p.m.Certified by: Jeremy A. VanMeter, Clerk of CouncilPosted: October 30, 2026
Gahanna Halves Income Tax Growth Forecast as Remote Work Squeezes Capital Plan
Supporting evidence (1)
Previously, Pique reported that Gahanna halved its income tax growth forecast as remote work squeezed the capital plan on Oct. 23.
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Gahanna Halves Income Tax Growth Forecast as Remote Work Squeezes Capital Plan
Committee of the Whole · 2026-09-28
Supporting evidence (2)
During a Sept. 28 Committee of the Whole meeting, Senior Director of Operations Kevin Schultz explained that Finance Director Joann Bury lowered the assumed annual income tax growth projection from 4% to 2% based on 2026 performance and return-to-work changes.
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Senior Director Schultz stated that the draft 2027 capital budget reflected reduced income tax growth projections. He explained that Director Bury reduced the assumed annual income tax growth rate from 4% to 2% based on 2026 performance, including the effects of return-to-work changes.
Schultz stated that the lower rate reduced projected resources by approximately $3.6 million across all income-tax-supported funds, including about $1.1 million within the Capital Fund.
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He stated that this reduction lowered projected resources available for capital improvements by approximately $3.6 million across all income-tax-supported funds, including approximately $1.1 million within the Capital Fund.