Dublin residents will get their first reading at the proposed 2027 operating budget Monday, Oct. 26, when City Council also holds a public hearing on higher water and sewer fees.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. Council will open with an executive session at 5555 Perimeter Drive before reconvening at 7 p.m. for public business, according to the agenda packet.

Budget first reading

Ordinance 53-26 introduces the 2027 annual operating budget and the 2027–2031 Five-Year Capital Improvements Program (CIP). The agenda packet includes detailed budget reports, CIP resource projections and information on the Louis Ring Farm and the Golf Club of Dublin maintenance facility master plan.

Chief Financial Officer Matt Rubino outlined the budget timeline at a Sept. 15 work session, according to meeting minutes. He moved the first reading to Oct. 26 to allow more time for refinement, with final approval anticipated in November.

Water and sewer public hearing

Ordinance 52-26, which amends user fees and capacity charges for the city's water and sewer systems, reaches its second reading and public hearing Oct. 26.

A rate study by Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors, presented at the Sept. 15 work session, recommended an 8 percent annual sewer surcharge increase through 2035. For 2027, the sewer surcharge would rise from $16.88 to $18.23 per 1000 cubic feet. An average customer would see a monthly sewer bill increase of $3.89, from $54.27 to $58.16, according to the minutes.

For water, the study recommended a 3 percent annual surcharge increase from 2027 through 2030, rising to 5 percent from 2031 through 2035. The 2027 water surcharge would climb from $3.34 to $3.72 per CCF, pushing the average monthly water bill from just over $49 to $56.76, an increase of $7.63.

Jeffrey Rowe of Baker Tilly told council that the majority of the projected bill increases are driven by City of Columbus rate increases rather than Dublin's surcharge adjustments.

Dublin's surcharge accounts for roughly 10 to 11 percent of the total combined bill. That combined bill stood at about $103 per month in 2026 and is projected to reach approximately $200 per month by 2035.

The city carries $18.3 million in outstanding sewer debt and $4.9 million in water debt. The proposed 2027–2031 CIP includes about $27.2 million in additional debt-financed sewer projects.

New funds and other business

Three more ordinances get first readings:

  • Ordinance 54-26 establishes the SportsOhio Operations Fund, a special revenue fund.
  • Ordinance 55-26 creates an Electric Vehicle Charging Fund as an enterprise fund.
  • Ordinance 56-26 amends the non-union compensation plan.

Resolution 46-26 would accept the lowest bid for the SportsOhio parking lot resurfacing project. A citywide sponsorship strategy update is also on the agenda.

Executive session

Before the public meeting, council will enter executive session for two purposes: conferences with an attorney on pending or imminent court action, and discussion of confidential information related to an economic development project involving public infrastructure improvements. The agenda states the closed session is necessary to protect possible public investment or expenditure connected to the project.

The agenda does not identify the economic development project.

The meeting comes as the city prepares for a leadership transition. City Manager Megan O'Callaghan submitted her resignation Oct. 12, effective Nov. 13, the city announced. O'Callaghan served nearly 13 years with Dublin, including four years as city manager.

Residents who want to speak on the water and sewer rate ordinance can do so during the public hearing portion of the Oct. 26 meeting at 5555 Perimeter Drive.