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.
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.
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.
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.
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.