Council hears appropriation amendment tied to OPWC stormwater grant, bed‑tax consultant and permissive tax for streets

Finance Director Amanda Jackson asked council July 7 to approve an amendment to the 2025 appropriation ordinance to recognize newly available or needed spending authority across three funds.

Jackson said the city received $100,000 in permissive tax from the Franklin County Engineer’s Office and proposes to appropriate it to the general fund construction services capital outlay line for Washington Street work related to the street program. The bed‑tax fund would receive $30,000 for a strategic‑planning consultant to review the city’s relationships with community partners, including Destination Canal Winchester and the Chamber of Commerce.

Jackson’s largest request is a $1,015,000 appropriation in the stormwater fund for the East Waterloo storm sewer project: approximately $980,000 for construction and $35,000 for inspection. Jackson said the funds will be paid through an OPWC (Ohio Public Works Commission) award that is approximately split between grant and loan, and that the city would record both revenue and expense entries so the loan/grant combination is largely balance‑neutral for the fund; she estimated the city’s net exposure at about $100,000 pending final loan terms.

Councilmembers asked about the stormwater fund balance and future loan payments. Jackson said the fund had about $459,000 at the June reporting date and she estimated the fund would likely end the year near $400,000 after projected revenues and expenses.

Council moved Ordinance 25‑019 to full council for consideration.