Columbus committee reviews $1.9 billion voted bond package proposed for November ballot

The Finance and Governance Committee of the Columbus City Council heard a presentation from the Department of Finance about a proposed $1.9 billion voted bond package that the administration plans to submit to voters this November. The package is divided into five propositions covering affordable housing, public utilities, public service, recreation and parks, and safety and infrastructure.

The proposal would provide voted authority — not immediate cash — for future capital improvement budgets the council will consider later this year. Director Long of the Department of Finance told the committee that voted authority “does not represent cash in hand” and that bond sales would occur as projects come online. The package would be presented to voters as separate propositions so each category’s funds are restricted to the intended uses, officials said.

The committee was given the proposed funding breakdown: $500 million for affordable housing, $500 million for public utilities, $400 million for public service, $250 million for recreation and parks, and $250 million for safety and infrastructure. Finance staff outlined example uses: affordable housing construction and…