Council approves 2025 tax levies; debate surfaces over Parkland Acquisition Fund timing

On Sept. 22 Dublin City Council adopted Resolution 48-25, accepting amounts and rates determined by the budget commission and certifying property tax levies for tax year 2025 for collection in 2026. Staff presented the levies as the full unvoted property tax levy of 1.75 mills (to be allocated to the Capital Improvements Tax Fund, Fund 401) and the current voted levy of 1.2 mills (which staff said will generate approximately $560,000 and is allocated to the safety fund). The staff presentation estimated the 1.75 mills would generate approximately $5.8 million for collection year 2026.

Council debate centered on whether and when to restore a portion of the unvoted levy to the Parkland Acquisition Fund. Several council members urged preserving or returning funds to the Parkland Acquisition Fund earlier than the strategy outlined in the staff memo, which contemplated resuming some Parkland allocations in later collection years (the memo referenced collection years through 2027–2029). Staff advised the capital improvement plan (CIP) as presented assumed flows to the Capital Fund for 2026–2028, partly because of a large investment in the Sports Ohio asset the city had considered. Staff also noted that the Parkland Acquisition Fund currently held a balance “just below $950,000.”

Outcome and next steps: Council approved Resolution 48-25 by roll call. Multiple council members requested a future, more detailed discussion during CIP/strategy sessions about the timing and structure of returning millage to the Parkland Acquisition Fund so the council can set a multiyear strategy and reflect it in out-year CIP planning. No changes to the resolution text were made at the Sept. 22 vote.