Hilliard · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Hilliard public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Grant program criteria and accountability
Council wrestled with fuzzy rules all afternoon — whether salaries can be funded, how to verify Hilliard residents benefit, and whether repeat applicants become too reliant. Next year's applications will need line-item budgets and resident-service numbers.
2027 Community Grants Program distribution
Council decides each year how to split $200,000 among local nonprofits. This year it gave out $166,000, favoring long-standing Hilliard institutions and food security, and declined requests that would pay individual salaries or fund service clubs, churches, and media.
2027 Capital Improvement Budget
Council got its first look at a roughly $33.9 million 2027 capital budget. About $5 million should come back in grants. Full department presentations were pushed to the next committee-of-the-whole meeting, with a second reading November 9.
Tax levy certification deadline
Council had to pass the annual tax levy certification ordinance tonight or miss the county's October 31 deadline, so they suspended the normal two-reading process and passed it 7-0 the same night.
2027 Operating Budget
The proposed 2027 operating budget is balanced, with modest department increases and investments in staffing and service levels. Council will take final action later in October after a public hearing.
Stop-loss insurance renewal
The city's annual stop-loss insurance renewal with Anthem comes in at a 3% increase, capped at $941,000, after two years of minimal or zero increases.
Cancelling the Purdy Bull CRA tax incentive agreement
A tax incentive agreement is being cancelled because the business was sold to a national chain that won't meet job requirements.
Employee Compensation Study Implementation
The city's first comp study in over five years recommends tightening pay bands, raising range maximums 5%, and restructuring positions — including adding a public service operations manager and an economic development administrator.
City Hall and Public Service Building renovation
City Hall, the aquatics center, and the Joint Safety Services Building all need attention, and council is weighing debt versus cash to pay for it. A facilities master plan is due by October 2026.
2025 Clean Audit
The City lacks updated reserve, investment, and debt policies. Council wants those drafted by mid-2027 and wants to confirm investments stay in the U.S.
Council governance and relationships
Members agreed on a 'no surprises' rule, roles clarity, and cross-member outreach, and committed to quarterly Council Rules refreshers and two-on-two conversations with the City Manager.
Financial policies: reserve, investment and debt
The council agreed the city needs new or updated reserve, investment, and debt policies, plus answers on how investments are made and current debt levels — due by the end of October 2026 with policies by mid-2027.
Paid parental leave for city employees
A new benefit would give non-union city employees up to eight weeks of paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or foster placement, plus paid leave for pregnancy loss. Union employees would need to negotiate it in contracts.
Consent Agenda for Routine Cases
Starting in October, routine items like final plats and lot splits can be approved in a single vote unless pulled for discussion — shorter meetings for commissioners and the public alike.
Electric aggregation program extension
The city extended its electric aggregation agreement for up to 24 months while watching daily market pricing. Residents can opt out at any time without penalty, but the city's contract term is fixed once executed.
Big Darby Accord impact fee review
A resident argued the famous "20,000 units" figure is being misread as a growth target when it reflects 2006 zoning. He warned that shifting development east requires first buying land for conservation to retire development rights.
2026 Franklin County property value reassessment
The county Auditor's office is updating property values, and the changes vary wildly by neighborhood — some areas east of Dublin Road appear to have doubled. Council members flagged data problems in places like River Landing and urged residents to review and challenge their tentative valuations.
Outdated finance software replaced
The city's 1990s-era finance system gets a $500,000 Oracle replacement, plus $120,000 in backup storage — upgrades aimed at preventing budget errors like The Well's.
New five-year trash contract
The city's trash contract expires at year's end, and the new deal locks in $26.50/month for five years with year-round yard waste pickup and hauler-managed carts. Legislation is expected in April.