VIEW THE DRAFT BUDGET HERE

At the close of 2024, City Council’s focus was on finalizing and adopting the City’s 2025-26 budget, a process that concluded at its December 16 meeting.

The budget provides the necessary resources for continuing a high level of services for the community and provides for reinvestment in public infrastructure and parks.

The City’s financial position continues to be strong, thanks to the leadership of present and past Council bodies, updates and adherence to a strong set of fiscal policies and financial accountability practices, and the cumulative effect of a proactive economic development program that has diversified the City’s business base. Of note, income tax revenues have continued their upward trajectory, with projections of $46 million and $48 million respectively for 2024 and 2025, serving as a positive source of support for many major operations and projects, changing our landscape and infrastructure for the better.

General Fund reserves continue to grow and are projected to reach 82% of the operating budget in 2025, well above the City’s target of 30-50%. Recognizing this impressive accomplishment, City Council and the Administration have engaged in a series of conversations to identify several Council priorities for utilizing these overages.

These include:

• Expanding the City’s focus on community wellbeing by adding a new social worker position within the Fire Division starting in 2025.
• Undertaking a study and developing design options of a roundabout at the Five Points intersection, for possible construction in 2029.
• Transferring $2 million to the Economic Development Fund to support structured parking needs as redevelopment projects occur within the City’s commercial districts.
• A one-time reduction in Solid Waste fees for homeowners, to be reflected in the City’s January 2025 Utility Bill (see page 6 for details).
• Expanded investment in the City’s network of sidewalks and shared-use paths.
• Studying the feasibility of burying utilities along the Henderson Road corridor, as proposed by the Envision Henderson visioning study.
• Funding water safety/learn to swim programming for the community’s youth, beginning in 2026.

Other budget requests of note include:

• Expanded facilities maintenance funding to support some major investments, including a new generator at the MSC
• Funding for increased technology and security needs.
• Various adjustments for the start-up and operation of the Bob Crane Community Center.
• The replacement of several public works vehicles and police cruisers, and the aging fire safety training house known as Sparky’s House.

The draft 2025-2026 Municipal Program of Services can be viewed on the Finance section of the City’s website, at upperarlingtonoh.gov. The final

document will be available in the first quarter of 2025.