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Columbus council approves resolutions to place $1.9 billion voted bond package on Nov. 4 ballot
Summary
Council adopted a series of resolutions to submit a $1.9 billion voted bond package to voters on Nov. 4, 2025, allocating funds across health/safety, parks, public service, affordable housing and utilities; council members said the measures would fund infrastructure without raising property taxes.
Columbus City Council adopted a set of resolutions directing the city to proceed with a $1.9 billion voted bond package that will be placed on the Nov. 4, 2025 ballot.
The package is divided into five purpose-specific measures: $250 million for health, safety and infrastructure; $250 million for recreation and parks; $400 million for public service; $500 million for neighborhood development and affordable housing; and $500 million for public utilities (water, power, sanitary sewer and storm sewers). Council voted to file certified resolutions of necessity and to proceed with the Board of Elections, with the required filing deadline noted in the meeting record.
Councilmember Banks, chair of the Finance and Governance Committee, explained the process and emphasized that the bond authority would allow the city to borrow for infrastructure projects without increasing property taxes. “This is a way for us to continue, to invest in our infrastructure without raising property taxes,” Banks said while describing the city’s long-standing practice of setting aside a portion of income tax revenue to pay debt service.
Council officials said the resolutions also instruct the Franklin County Board of Elections to estimate the annual property tax levy and set the language and millage amounts to appear on the ballot. Upon adoption, certified resolutions must be filed with the Franklin County Board of Elections by Aug. 6, 2025, according to the clerk’s reading of the ordinance record.
Council described the measures as a routine mechanism to authorize issuance of voted bonds and said the city has used similar bonds since the 1950s to invest in capital projects while maintaining its longstanding practice of using income tax revenue set-asides for debt service. Each resolution was moved and adopted by roll call; the clerk recorded each item as “Adopted” in the meeting transcript.
The ballot language, estimated millage and project lists to be funded by each measure were recited as part of the committee presentation and will be reflected in the certified documents filed with the county.
