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Columbus council approves 2026 salary ordinances for fire, police, civilian staff and elected officials
Summary
On second reading the Columbus City Common Council approved multiple salary ordinances setting 2026 pay for sworn fire and police personnel, non‑sworn employees, city council members, the mayor and clerk; ordinances reflect a minimum 2.7% COLA for eligible non‑sworn employees and a 3% step for sworn personnel.
Columbus City Common Council passed a package of salary ordinances on second reading that set pay for sworn fire and police personnel, non‑sworn city employees, council members, the mayor and the clerk for the 2026 payroll calendar year.
The ordinances, which were presented by city administration staff, set a minimum cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) of 2.7% for eligible non‑sworn employees and provided for a 3% adjustment for sworn personnel. Council voted on each ordinance separately; most passed unanimously or nearly so.
City staff presented the ordinances and answered questions from council. Orla Cooper Tinsley, presenting the sworn and non‑sworn salary ordinances, told the council that department heads were instructed to apply raises to employees meeting expectations and that ‘‘If anyone is meeting expectations, they're gonna do the 3%.’’ She also said the ordinance language implements a 2.7% baseline COLA for non‑sworn staff: ‘‘All full time employees that are meeting expectations should get 2.7% or higher.’’ Cooper Tinsley said department heads have discretion to award raises up to 4% without further approval and that increases above 4% would be routed to administration for review.
Council recorded the following outcomes on second reading: • Sworn Fire Department salary ordinance — passed 8–0. • Sworn Police Department salary ordinance — passed 8–0. • Civilian (non‑sworn) salary ordinance for city employees — passed 8–0. • City Council member pay ordinance — passed 7–1 (Councilor Jake Morris recorded the lone no vote). • Elected mayor and clerk pay ordinance — passed 8–0.
Councilors who voted in favor during the roll call included Chris Bartels, Elaine Hilpert, Kent Anderson, Frank Miller, Jay Boyce, Josh Burnett, Tom Dell and Grace Kessler (where an 8–0 tally is reported). For the council pay ordinance the meeting records show Jake Morris cast the only no vote; the remaining members voted aye.
Why this matters: the ordinances establish the base pay and the mechanics for applying annual adjustments for the 2026 payroll year. Council and administration discussed adopting an annual COLA tied to a June CPI measure going forward; Cooper Tinsley said the administration and budget working group agreed to use the June CPI as a rolling measure for future COLA decisions.
The ordinances are effective for the 2026 payroll calendar year as stated in the meeting materials; ordinance numbers and full text are included in the council packet.
Votes at a glance Sworn Fire Department salary ordinance — motion to pass on second reading; second recorded; outcome: approved 8–0. Sworn Police Department salary ordinance — motion to pass on second reading; second recorded; outcome: approved 8–0. Civilian non‑sworn salary ordinance — motion to pass on second reading; second recorded; outcome: approved 8–0. City Council salary ordinance — motion to pass on second reading; second recorded; outcome: approved 7–1 (Jake Morris voted no). Mayor and clerk salary ordinance — motion to pass on second reading; second recorded; outcome: approved 8–0.
Further process: Each ordinance passed on second reading during the meeting. The council did not amend the ordinances on the floor; administration said the raises and the performance documentation will be public record and available on request.
