Dublin City Council will vote Monday, Sept. 28, on an ordinance lifting the city's hunting ban to allow USDA sharpshooters to cull deer starting Nov. 1.

Ordinance 51-26 would waive Section 91.08 of Dublin's codified ordinances, which prohibits hunting, trapping or capturing wildlife year-round. The waiver applies only to the 2026 Deer Management Program, according to the meeting agenda packet.

The program uses trained sharpshooters from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services division to conduct overnight removals on mostly city-owned land between Nov. 1 and March 31, 2027. Up to 100 deer may be removed in the first year, with an additional 25 allowed if funding and USDA availability permit, according to the city's deer management page. Venison goes to the Dublin Food Pantry.

A thermal imaging drone survey conducted April 24–27 counted 528 deer across Dublin's nearly 25 square miles. Staff reported 20 dogs attacked by deer and 35 deer-stalking or deer-chasing reports in 2025 alone, up from three and four such reports in 2023 and 2024, according to May 11 council meeting minutes.

Council voted 7-0 on May 11 to direct staff to negotiate a USDA contract. Mayor Chris Amorose Groomes made the motion.

A community survey that drew 3,656 responses found 59 percent of respondents believe the deer population should be managed. Forty-nine percent supported lethal methods, 33 percent opposed them and 18 percent were neutral.

At an Aug. 25 public education session first reported by The Columbus Dispatch, Geoff Westerfield, assistant wildlife management supervisor at the Ohio Division of Wildlife, addressed safety concerns. "It's generally not just driving around and just flinging bullets all around," Westerfield said at the session. Dublin Police will clear areas before overnight operations begin, and residents will receive a citywide mailing before removals start.

Council will also consider two stormwater resolutions Monday. Resolution 41-26 would accept the lowest bid for the Annual Storm Structure Maintenance Program 2026 project. Resolution 42-26 would accept the lowest bid for the Annual Stormwater Management Basin Maintenance Program 2026 project. Bid amounts and contractor names were not listed in the published agenda materials.

Other agenda items include Ordinance 49-26, updating the city's 2027 fee schedule, Ordinance 50-26 for third-quarter supplemental appropriations, and resolutions on tax levies and the Rumpke waste collection contract. A proposed rezoning of about 10.8 acres at 6001 and 6041 Rings Road is listed with a request to postpone to Nov. 9.

A second public education session on the deer program is scheduled for Oct. 8 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Dublin City Hall, 5555 Perimeter Drive. Monday's council meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the same building.