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Council adopts fee increases, supplemental appropriations and labor agreement; approves Olentangy pre‑annexation plan
Summary
On Jan. 12 the council adopted an emergency fee‑schedule update raising several engineering plan‑review and inspection fees (including in‑house inspection to $90/hr), approved a supplemental appropriation for Merrick Parkway embankment, ratified a labor agreement with public works employees, and approved a pre‑annexation agreement with the Olentangy School District for a proposed high school site.
The Delaware City Council on Jan. 12 approved a package of fiscal and planning actions that will affect construction fees, capital project funding and a forthcoming school district annexation.
City Engineer Jonathan Owen said fee updates are intended to improve cost recovery for plan review and construction inspection work. He summarized proposed changes and said, "we're going to the $90 an hour for that in house construction inspection," up from the prior $60 an hour plus administrative fee. He told council proposed plan‑review increases range "from, you know, 28% up all the way to almost doubling there for a level 1 stormwater review," explaining the adjustments reflect current staff costs and older fee structures dating to 2007–2018.
Council moved to suspend rules, adopt the emergency clause and approve Ordinance 25‑80 so the new fees can take effect immediately, with the stated effective date required for related budget items.
Separately, staff described a supplemental appropriation (Ordinance 26‑01) to fund embankment work for the Merrick Parkway/Boulevard project following competitive bids that came in below estimate; staff said the expenditure will later be reimbursed through NCA dollars. Council approved the emergency appropriation and the ordinance to allow a notice of award.
On labor, staff presented Resolution 26‑03 amending the collective bargaining agreement for the Public Works/Public Utilities/Parks association. Changes include wage adjustments, converting Christmas Eve from a half‑day to a full day in exchange for another holiday, an increased uniform stipend (from $450 to $500), and an expanded mechanic tool stipend; the membership previously ratified the agreement and council approved it.
Finally, planning staff recommended and council approved Resolution 26‑06, a pre‑annexation agreement with the Olentangy School District for roughly 139.66 acres where the district plans a new high school. Staff said the agreement sets expectations for water, sewer and other services before the annexation petition is filed; the SRO (school resource officer) assignment would be negotiated separately with the police department.
Why it matters: the fee increases change costs for developers and utilities, the appropriation advances a major roadway project, the labor agreement changes employee pay and benefits, and the Olentangy pre‑annexation agreement begins the formal process for a school site that will require subsequent approvals and utility extensions.
Next steps: fee changes are effective immediately per the emergency adoption; the city will issue a notice of award for the embankment work and seek reimbursement through NCA funding; the school district will file an annexation petition and pursue required development approvals; the SRO arrangement will be negotiated apart from the pre‑annexation agreement.
