Council moves amendment to add $2 million to Columbus Promise; referral back to committee for further work

During the finance and governance committee presentation on Jan. 12, council advanced an amendment to the mayor’s operating budget that would add $2,000,000 for the Columbus Promise scholars program but did not adopt the budget tonight.

Council President (as presiding officer during the discussion) said the amendment is intended to provide certainty to students and families who are beginning college application processes: “A promise means certainty, and certainty matters deeply to the families who are right now making decisions about their futures,” the president said, noting that nearly 1,300 Promise scholars are currently enrolled at Columbus State across cohorts.

Chair Bankston explained that the city’s operating budget is divided into three ordinances and that the general fund ordinance (ordinance 2938‑2025) is the primary vehicle for deliberations. After discussion, the council moved to amend the general fund ordinance to include the $2 million allocation and referred the amended ordinance back to committee for further consideration and any technical adjustments; the council emphasized the full budget would be completed only after all hearings and amendments are processed.

Aside from the amendment, the two companion ordinances that cover other funds (ordinances 2939‑2025 and 2940‑2025) were postponed to the Jan. 26 council meeting for administrative reasons.

What happened next: The amendment was moved and the ordinance was referred back to committee (no final passage of the general fund occurred on Jan. 12). The council and administration said the change intends to preserve scholarship assurance while budget hearings continue.