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.
Senior Van Program Eligibility
Home and Hilliard helps seniors age in place but charges $300 memberships some seniors can't afford. Council funded $35,000 and required at least ten scholarships, while noting only 85 service requests were made last year.
Old Hilliard water line replacement
The city is hiring Burgess & Niple for five years to design replacements for aging pre-1960s cast-iron water lines in Old Hilliard — $117,000 this year for Wayne Street, Main Street alleys, and Norwich Street work that goes to construction next year.
Recycling changes: orange bags discontinued
Because demand is too low, the orange recycling bags the city has been promoting will no longer be collected starting at the end of February 2027.
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.
Youth sports background checks
The Recreation and Parks Commission reviewed the city's background-check policy for volunteer coaches in leagues like HOSA and Optimist, including regular audits — legislation could come to council soon.
Street sweeper replacement
The city is replacing a 2017 skid loader and an aging chipper (one has been out of service for two months, forcing rentals). The old chipper will be kept as a backup.
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.
Sustainability coordinator position
A proposed new position (roughly $100,000 with benefits, salary $68,000–$90,000) sparked debate over whether it should be a coordinator or a leadership role advancing initiatives like solar power. City Manager Rauch said the job description isn't finalized.
Gasoline tax holiday impact
Council Member Vermillion asked about the state gas tax holiday — so far no effect on Hilliard, but it will likely hit the General Fund and street maintenance funding down the road.
Hilliard Recovery Court funding
The Law Department is requesting a $169,800 transfer from the General Fund to keep the Recovery Court program running in 2027.
Homestead Metro Park expansion in the Big Darby greenbelt
City-owned Darby watershed parcels go to Metro Parks to enlarge Homestead Metro Park; a resident urged stream restoration along Clover Groff Run and high-quality native plantings.
Homestead Metro Park expansion land transfer
The city is handing over Big Darby watershed parcels to Metro Parks to grow Homestead Metro Park, along with a trail operations agreement. A resident urged the city to fund stream and native-vegetation restoration so the Green Belt starts out healthy.
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.
Hill Farm II West Final Plats
Two final plats were approved adding 19 and 23 residential lots off Elliott Road within the 272-acre Hill Farm II conservation development, continuing the buildout of the Big Darby Watershed-area subdivision.
Hill Farm II Community Authority and road funding
New Hill Farm 2 homes will pay a 5-mill Community Authority assessment, with the money routed to the city for road projects — the Cosgray-Jeffrelyn roundabout and Scioto Darby corridor work — instead of repaying infrastructure costs.
Comprehensive Plan and zoning code updates
Zoning code revisions are underway for the Cemetery Road corridor, Old Hilliard, and the Heritage Trail Connector, implementing the 2023 Community Plan and 2026 Housing Study.
Economic development and Wolpert property
The five-year economic development plan will be revisited in 2027; the city-owned Wolpert property is being positioned for development that maximizes jobs and tax base.
Economic development strategy
The city plans to revisit its five-year economic development strategy in 2027, push the Wolpert property for job-creating development, and expand City Lab internship programs.
Community Plan and zoning code updates
Zoning code revisions are coming for the Cemetery Road corridor, Old Hilliard, and the Heritage Trail Connector, tied to the 2023 Community Plan and 2026 housing study.
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.
Flex office development design standards (brick requirement)
The Anson Drive case put a spotlight on whether the flex district's brick and facade standards still make sense. The board granted the variances 6-1, and staff acknowledged the brick requirement is under review for a possible code change because it's economically difficult in the flex market.
Legal Dispute
Hilliard just dropped its legal fight against a proposed data center power plan, which clears the way for the project to move forward faster. If you're wondering why this matters, it's because this massive development is going to seriously shake up local energy use and growth.
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.
Coffee Connections in Old Hilliard
A new coffee/retail shop will open in the basement of Cornerstone Christian Fellowship at 4066 Main Street, featuring a bread box pickup unit on the front stoop. It partners with about 21 local vendors.
Boutiques in Former Columbia Street House
Two home-décor and clothing boutiques will convert the first floor of a house at 4002 Columbia Street into retail, sharing parking with an adjacent lot. A ramp and repaved driveway are part of the deal.
68-acre Hayden Run Road annexation moves forward
Council took the first step on annexing 64.8 acres in Brown Township that would be zoned Big Darby Employment District if approved. A public hearing is set for September 14.
Food truck denied in office-institutional zone
A food truck operator wanted a 12-month trial run on Cemetery Road, but the zoning code doesn't allow food trucks in B-3 districts, and most board members worried about setting a precedent. Staff suggested trying a permitted district along the I-270 corridor first.
Soccer training facility conditional use on Weaver Court North
A 12,000-square-foot personalized soccer training facility will replace a basketball training use in a flex building, with no games or tournaments allowed and occupancy capped at 45 people to match the 18 available parking spaces.
Rat Infestations in Neighborhoods
Two residents told Council about rat problems in their neighborhoods, one also raising concerns about apartments and data centers.
Vehicle Vandalism and Crime in Hilliard-Rome Corridor
A resident reported vehicle vandalism in her neighborhood and rising crime along the Hilliard-Rome Road corridor.
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.
Place of worship at former Makoy Center
Capital Church wants to convert the McCoy Center into a place of worship for up to 500 attendees. Council postponed the vote to May 26 over parking and trail-pedestrian safety concerns.
2026 Trail Maintenance Program
Zone Four neighborhoods near Avery and Davidson Roads get sidewalk repairs this year — about 150 property owners affected. Property owners pay for some repairs in older neighborhoods; the city covers damage from street trees, utilities or drainage.
Davidson Road annexation of unincorporated island
A 2.2-acre farmhouse and railroad parcel from the Wolpert acquisition will be annexed, tidying up the city's boundary lines.