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Columbus City Council approves year-end appropriations, clears $1.5 million for road projects
Summary
The Columbus City Council unanimously approved a package of second-reading ordinances that added year-end appropriations for public works, animal care, administration and facilities and appropriated $1.5 million in thoroughfare funds (an 80% federal match) for flex projects.
Columbus City Council unanimously approved a set of year-end budget adjustments on Dec. 2, authorizing additional appropriations to cover unanticipated repairs and seasonal staffing needs and clearing $1.5 million in thoroughfare funds for federally matched roadway projects.
Regina McIntyre, presenting multiple items from the administration, said the public works appropriation "is for department of public works for 25,000" to cover garage and auto repairs and parts that exceeded anticipated costs. McIntyre told the council these items are standard year-end additional appropriations rather than new, ongoing budget lines.
Council members asked whether the increases were new money or transfers. McIntyre and other staff clarified some requests draw on general fund reserves and some are transfers from other budget lines. On the larger transportation item, McIntyre said the $1,500,000 appropriation is for flex fund projects and carries an 80% federal match, meaning the city must appropriate the full amount to access the federal share.
The council also approved an $11,150 appropriation for HVAC repairs at the animal shelter and a $12,600 correction to administration salary lines to account for a midyear hire carried partially into the 2025 budget. The facilities department’s request to cover overtime related to special events also received approval.
Each ordinance was moved, seconded and carried on second reading. The transportation appropriation drew questions about federal compliance; staff said NEPA and other required steps were already complete and the projects are ready to bid. All listed second-reading ordinances passed by recorded votes of 8-0.
The council’s action ensures staff can complete repairs, cover year-end events and proceed with federally funded thoroughfare work now at the bidding stage.
The council scheduled no further action on these items at this meeting; the ordinances passed on second reading and will be implemented through the normal finance processes.
