Powell City Council was scheduled for a first reading its proposed 2027 budget at a Wednesday, Nov. 4, meeting, outlining $43.1 million in spending across all city funds.

The budget identifies $37.2 million in annual revenue and recommends $43.1 million in expenditures, according to a city announcement published Nov. 5. The city's announcement described the budget as approved. The Nov. 4 council agenda listed the budget ordinance, Ordinance 2026-25, under "First Reading(s)." Meeting minutes confirming a final vote were not available.

The spending gap means the city plans to draw $5.9 million from accumulated reserves to cover capital projects and other council priorities. The city said the drawdown does not represent a recurring operating shortfall. Assuming all 2026 budgeted items are spent, the projected year-end unappropriated fund balance sits at $28 million.

Overall spending rises about 0.9% from 2026, accounting for inflation, compensation obligations and staffing needs. The city's personnel budget increases 5.8% compared with 2026, reflecting compensation obligations and planned staffing changes, according to the city.

Where the money goes

The General Fund accounts for the largest share at $26.3 million. It covers police, public service, parks maintenance, engineering, planning, administration and community engagement.

Other major allocations include $7.9 million for the Capital Projects Fund, $2.7 million for street construction, maintenance and repair, and $1.7 million for debt service on the Various Purpose Notes, Series 2025. Parks and recreation programming together total about $1.6 million. Additional dollars go toward downtown public improvements and the Sawmill corridor.

Powell's 2% municipal income tax remains the city's primary revenue source.

Capital projects planned for 2027

Council adopted a five-year, $60.5 million Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for 2027–2031 in September, according to a separate city announcement. About $12.2 million of that is planned for 2027.

Street and path work dominates the capital plan. The budget sets aside $325,000 for design of the 2027 street and shared-path program. The Lechler project is budgeted at about $1.4 million. Other 2027 CIP items include $3.6 million for the annual street and path maintenance program, $1.4 million for the Adventure Park CSX tunnel, $423,500 for design of the Liberty Road and Carriage Road roundabout, and $375,000 for Sawmill corridor traffic signal upgrades.

Ongoing 2026 projects in the budget

The Seldom Seen railroad crossing is listed at $238,550. The city announced in August that those crossing improvements were complete. A pavement and conditions analysis appears at $67,000. The Delaware Gazette reported that council authorized that $67,000 analysis in June 2026. Whether these line items reflect carryover spending or new allocations is not clear from available records.

The Bennett Farm multi-use path is listed in the budget at about $449,319, supported in part by a $200,000 Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) grant. Construction on that path began in summer 2026 and is expected to finish by the end of 2026, according to the city's Bennett Farm page. The city selected Law General Contracting, Inc. to build the roughly 2,000-foot asphalt path along East Olentangy Street.

Budget process

The Nov. 4 meeting was moved from its regular date because of the Nov. 3 general election, according to the council agenda.

Finance Director Samantha Borchers and Vice Mayor Tom Counts guided the spending plan through the city's Finance Committee at a Sept. 8 meeting. At that session, Borchers told the committee the CIP had a 0.7% increase to about $60.5 million, essentially flat compared with the prior five-year plan.

Residents can review the full 2027 budget presentation and supplemental financial schedules on the city's website.