Gahanna — The Gahanna City Council opened a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget (Ordinance 49-2025) on Dec. 1, 2025, then closed it after confirming no members of the public had signed up to speak. The administration deferred a formal presentation, and council members proceeded into a finance committee discussion about the document.

The all-funds budget presented for FY2026 totals approximately $114,000,000, council members said during a later finance committee conversation. Council emphasized the capital improvement program (CIP) and the city’s strategic plan as the guardrails for the proposed spending. Councilmember Renner described the budget as a “lehi, hearty budget,” and urged colleagues to focus on the all‑funds summary for detail.

Director Burry, the city finance director, said he did not have an immediate year‑over‑year percentage available but pointed attendees to the tables in the budget book for year‑to‑year comparisons. “So not off the top of my head. I do not have the percentage change from last year to this year,” he said, and noted a one‑time $5,000,000 payment to the Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) that skews aggregate comparisons.

Council discussed the treatment of capital projects in the budget and said most carryovers fall in the CIP because those projects are intended to be multiyear. Director Burry explained that appropriations that were not encumbered this year generally return to the city and would be requested again when ready: projects must complete procurement steps before funds are encumbered.

Council scheduled Ordinance 49 for second reading and adoption on the Dec. 15 agenda. The council president and finance committee also encouraged residents to consult pages 23–39 of the budget book for the all‑funds summary and the following pages for line‑item detail.

What’s next: Ordinance 49-2025 will return for second reading and possible adoption at the Dec. 15 council meeting.