Canal Winchester City Council approves $1.15M for stormwater and street projects

The City Council of Canal Winchester, Ohio, convened on July 7, 2025, for a work session and council meeting focused on several key financial appropriations and project updates. The meeting began with a request for new appropriations across three different funds, which were presented by city officials.

The first item discussed was an appropriation of $100,000 from the general fund to the construction services capital outlay line item. This funding, received from the Franklin County Engineer's Office as permissive tax, is earmarked for ongoing street program work, specifically for Washington Street and the addition of Hemingford Drive.

Next, the council addressed a request for $30,000 from the bed tax fund to cover operating expenses for a strategic planning consultant. The consultant's role will involve evaluating the city's relationships with community partners, including the Destination Canal Winchester Chamber of Commerce and the historical society.

The final significant appropriation discussed was for the stormwater fund, where a total of $1,015,000 is requested for the East Waterloo storm sewer project. Of this amount, $980,000 is allocated for construction, while $35,000 is designated for inspection. This funding is sourced from the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) and consists of a combination of loan and grant funding. The council noted that the project would result in a temporary negative balance of approximately $100,000 in the stormwater fund, which is expected to stabilize once the grant loan is processed.

Council members engaged in discussions regarding the financial implications of these appropriations, including the anticipated balance of the stormwater fund after the project is completed. It was noted that the fund had approximately $459,000 as of June, with an estimated year-end balance of around $400,000 after accounting for the new appropriations.

Following the discussions, the council moved to advance Ordinance 25-019 to full council for a vote. The motion was made by Council Member Amos and seconded by Council Member Bennett, receiving unanimous support from the council members present.

In conclusion, the meeting highlighted the city's proactive approach to funding essential infrastructure projects and strategic planning, with a clear focus on community engagement and fiscal responsibility. The council's next steps will involve further deliberation on the proposed ordinances and continued monitoring of the financial health of the respective funds.