Bexley presents revision 1 of 2026 budget; officials highlight stronger-than-expected income tax receipts and infrastructure planning

The administration presented revision 1 of the city's 2026 budget on Oct. 28, saying the general fund will end 2025 with a higher balance than forecast largely because income-tax receipts exceeded expectations and because of a billing adjustment tied to the Columbus fire contract.

Mayor Kessler told council the city expects 2025 income-tax revenue to come in "more than $2,000,000 higher than budgeted" and that, together with a rebate from a Columbus billing adjustment, those factors produced "somewhere north of $4,000,000 in unexpected balance in our general fund." The presentation and accompanying materials are in the city's budget resources folder, the mayor said.

Staff proposed a conservative 3% annual income-tax growth assumption for the 10-year projection (below the 10-year trailing average) and presented a plan to transfer surplus to the capital improvement fund and the infrastructure development fund this year. The budget proposes increased investment in infrastructure, including water and sewer planning, and assumes continuing public-safety spending (public safety accounts for roughly half of general-fund expenditures).

The revision includes proposed personnel changes and operating investments: additional code-enforcement resources, a social-services coordinator position, an IT position to move from part time to full time, and one full-time police officer. The budget also anticipates bringing pool management back in-house and includes funding for temporary senior center rent and a new senior center site at 420 North Cassidy.

Kessler highlighted a forthcoming "debt cliff" as an opportunity: a remaining 2009 general-fund bond retirement is scheduled to end in 2029, which will reduce debt-service obligations in the general fund and free capacity for future infrastructure investment. Officials cautioned, though, that projected robust reserves should not be read as a reason to defer needed sewer and water capital projects; staff said those needs will reduce projected reserves as projects are scoped and budgeted.

Council members asked about property-tax scenarios and pending state legislation that could affect local property-tax growth; staff said the budget focuses on current law but can provide scenario analyses. Finance staff also confirmed year-to-date income-tax receipts through September are roughly $1.2 million above projections and about $977,000 above the same period last year.

Mayor Kessler and department directors said they will schedule department-level budget reviews for council, and staff said the capital budget is still being refined ahead of second reading and anticipated passage in early to mid-December.