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Council adopts 2026 budget, pay plan, property tax request, micro‑TIF program and several ordinances
Summary
At its Oct. 6 meeting the Columbus City Council set a $7,562,660.83 property tax request, adopted the 2026 budget and pay plan, created a micro‑TIF program, approved a reimbursement agreement for a quiet‑zone study, and amended local code to conform concealed‑weapons rules to state law; all measures passed by voice votes.
The Columbus City Council on Oct. 6 approved a set of fiscal and code measures affecting taxes, the 2026 budget, and downtown economic incentives.
The council adopted Resolution R25‑127, setting the property tax request at $7,562,660.83, and suspended rules to approve Ordinance 25‑15 (2026 pay plan) and Ordinance 25‑16 (2026 budget) on first reading by voice vote. The council also approved Resolution R25‑129 to create a short‑term micro‑TIF (tax‑increment financing) program intended for small downtown projects that meet blight or substandard criteria; staff said the program is an abbreviated administrative path designed for up to 10 projects initially, with individual micro‑TIF terms up to 15 years per state statute.
Council adopted Resolution R25‑130, a reimbursement agreement with Union Pacific for preliminary engineering services for a quiet‑zone study in the downtown area. Some members questioned whether a quiet zone would solve switching‑related downtown issues, but the motion passed by voice vote.
On code matters, council approved an ordinance to amend the Columbus City Code on concealed weapons to align with state law; the mayor noted the change reflects state preemption and not a locally initiated expansion of access. Council also adopted changes strengthening penalties for unlawful fireworks discharge.
All actions in the transcript were passed by voice vote; the record does not include roll‑call tallies. Council members and staff said they will hold additional public education sessions on micro‑TIF and coordinate implementation steps. Next procedural steps include standard administrative implementation of the adopted budget and ordinance codifications.
