200 South Hamilton Road

Gahanna, Ohio 43230

City of Gahanna

Meeting Minutes

Finance Committee

Stephen A. Renner, Chair

Merisa K. Bowers

Jamille Jones

Nancy R. McGregor

Kaylee Padova

Michael Schnetzer

Trenton I. Weaver

Jeremy A. VanMeter, Clerk of Council

Monday, December 1, 2025

City Hall, Council Chambers

Immediately following the Regular Council meeting at 7:00 PM on December 1, 2025

CALL TO ORDER:

Councilmember Stephen A. Renner, Chair, called the meeting to order at

7:29 p.m. on Monday, December 1, 2025. The agenda was published on

November 26, 2025. All members were present for the meeting. There were

no additions or corrections to the agenda.

DISCUSSIONS:

General Budget Questions

ORD-0049-2025

AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING APPROPRIATIONS FOR CURRENT

EXPENSES AND OTHER EXPENDITURES OF THE CITY OF

GAHANNA DURING THE FISCAL YEAR 2026

Chairman Renner stated that he received no questions to pass on to the

administration and asked whether anyone had general questions about the

budget.

President Bowers referenced a recent National League of Cities report

distributed by the Ohio Municipal League, which indicated that municipal

spending nationwide had increased. She asked Director of Finance Joann

Bury where Gahanna fell within that percentage and acknowledged that

inflation likely contributed to the trend. Director Bury responded that she did

not have the percentage change from the prior year available but noted that

the budget tables reflected increases. She explained that a $5 million transfer

to the CIC created an anomaly but that, once removed, the city remained on a

consistent trajectory of year-over-year expense increases. President Bowers

thanked her.

Chairman Renner asked Director Bury whether the 2025 budget contained

items that would carry over into 2026 or whether items intended for 2025 that

did not occur would appear in 2026. Director Bury explained that most of

those items fell within the multi-year capital improvement category. She

stated that any project not ready to proceed will have its funds returned, as

the procurement process must occur before encumbering dollars. If the city

had not moved forward by this point, the appropriations would likely be

returned and requested again later. Chairman Renner thanked her for the

clarification and asked whether there were further questions.

Chairman Renner then reflected on the length of the budget process, noting

that discussions began on October 20, 2025, with the second reading and

passage of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). He emphasized that both the

CIP and the Gahanna Strategic Plan served as the main guideposts for the

2026 budget. He recalled that Council received the all-funds summary on

October 22, 2025, and that every Monday since then included departmental

presentations and clarifying discussions. He remarked that the process was

lengthy for both Council and constituents and noted that two more meetings

remained. He described the budget as a substantial $114 million document,

combining the General Fund, proprietary funds, and enterprise fund, and

emphasized its importance to residents. He invited questions or comments.

President Bowers commented that the budget process proceeded smoothly

due to several years of work by senior leadership, including Directors Schultz

and Vollmer and Director Bury. She stated that progress on the CIP, staffing

study, and forecasting helped City Council better contextualize the budget.

She added that reviewing staffing changes throughout the year contributed to

a more informed process.

Mayor Jadwin thanked President Bowers for the remarks and stated that the

administration continued to work diligently as a team to present information

effectively. She acknowledged the volume of material to digest in a short

timeframe and said they would continue working with Council to refine the

process and improve internal operations. She emphasized the importance of

conveying information clearly to both Council and residents.

Chairman Renner stated that President Bowers’ comments summarized the

situation well. He praised the quality of the budget document and thanked

those who contributed significant work. He reiterated that the core of the

budget appeared in the all-funds summary, particularly pages 23 through 39

of the proposed 2026 budget, with subsequent pages detailing additional

specifics and nuances.

Recommendation: Further Discussion scheduled in Finance Committee on

12/8/2025; Second Reading/Adoption anticipated on 12/15/2025.

ADJOURNMENT:

With no further business before the Finance Committee, the Chair adjourned