Gahanna staff seek emergency change to sewer capacity charges to match Columbus effective April 1, 2026

City staff presented an amendment to the Gahanna code that would revise sewer system capacity charges to align with changes made by the City of Columbus and asked council to approve the ordinance under emergency so the new charges are in effect on April 1, 2026.

Mister Weidensinger, presenting for the director of public service, said the proposed change modifies how Gahanna responds when Columbus updates its capacity charges: the city would review and determine whether to adjust its charges rather than automatically change them. He said the administration is requesting emergency approval to ensure a new rate chart is in effect on Columbus’ April 1 effective date.

Weidensinger told council the charges apply when developers or property owners tap into the city sewer system or change line sizes. "This would be for new development and or those that are changing their line size, typically an upgrade," he said, adding that projects with permits already issued would remain under current ordinance rates. He also said Columbus last revised these charges in 2006 and that Gahanna’s controlling ordinance text he cited dated from 2014 with a 2023 amendment adding certain pipe-size categories.

Council asked for a clearer homeowner-facing explanation of impacts; staff said the fee is triggered by tapping and not by ordinary residential billing. The ordinance was placed on second reading for the next meeting and staff asked council to consider emergency enactment so the rates could be effective April 1, 2026 if the council approves emergency language.

What’s next: The ordinance will appear on next week’s agenda for second reading; council will consider the administration’s request for emergency enactment to make the rate changes effective April 1, 2026.