Reynoldsburg · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Reynoldsburg public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Speed bump policy explained
A resident's email detailed another crash from cut-through speeding, and the city is studying traffic lights at Rosehill/Renton and near Slate Ridge Elementary as the school district shifts to neighborhood schools.
Brice Main Corridor TIF payment to schools
The auditor found a 2025 TIF distribution to Reynoldsburg City Schools that was never paid. Council moved quickly, with emergency status, to get the money to the district.
Group Home Regulations and Fair Housing Compliance
The city attorney explained that Fair Housing Act rules force Reynoldsburg to treat certain group homes as a permitted use in residential districts, reviewed by staff instead of public hearings. The board wants added distance limits from schools and parks, and staff will draft that language before the vote.
Five-Year Trash Contract: Local Waste vs. Rumpke
The city is choosing between Local Waste Services (current hauler, bid $24.79) and Rumpke (low bidder at $24.15, saving $366,000 over five years). Rumpke pitched its case during public comment while a resident described oil and glass spills from Local Waste trucks. The Local Waste contract moves to a second reading with more data requested.
Parks Master Plan
Consultants shared survey findings: a community recreation center scored as the community's top facility priority, followed by trails and pools. A final plan with a capital improvement strategy comes to Council in June 2026; the online survey stays open through March.
East Main Street sidewalk connectivity
An ER nurse reported a recent pedestrian death near Main and Briarcliff and asked for a high-visibility crossing like Livingston's, plus full-time traffic signals — Main Street lights switch to blinking yellow overnight while people walk to the Emergency Room.
Summit Road construction and traffic signal
The city is buying land and easements to widen Summit Road with Etna Township; most affected owners have been contacted and talks are described as collaborative, including burying gas lines and adjusting driveways.
Hotel tax overhaul and Old Reynoldsburg revitalization fund
A restaurant on E. Main Street can now add a glass door and a fenced patio for outdoor dining, sprucing up the Old Reynoldsburg Commercial corridor.
Domestic violence awareness and resources
President Pyakurel shared that Reynoldsburg lost three people to suicide in the last 20 days and said the community needs to do more to raise awareness and respond.
2027 Property Tax Rate Certifications
The Auditor's office is still untangling incomplete 2025 books left by the prior administration, needs a temp accountant, and had to add debt service funding the 2026 budget accidentally omitted.
State Route 256 Intersection Safety Improvements
With OPWC grant funding, the city is designing pedestrian-safety upgrades at SR 256: relocated push buttons, longer crossing times, and emergency signal preemption coordinated with Pickerington and Violet Township.
Neighborhood safety concerns on Golding Drive
A new homeowner asked council to audit the permits, land use and police call history at a property he believes is generating drug-related activity, describing a late-night code-3 police response through his property and fear among neighbors including a teenage girl's family.
Redevelopment of vacant former Walgreens at 6320 E. Main Street
A long-vacant drugstore on East Main will be split into two parcels for a Dutch Bros drive-thru and a dental clinic, bringing new businesses to a key corridor. Several variances were needed because of the planned Brice Road realignment, which will eventually bring the site into compliance.
Hannah Ashton Middle School building compliance issues
The middle school isn't in compliance with the fire department — the sprinkler system is off, and there are leak and window problems. Fixing it will cost a lot of money, and the district is holding town halls to talk with the community.
Waggoner Road Opening
Phase one of the Wagner Road project wraps up soon, with phase two starting right after. When done, the road will have three lanes from Main to Broad, new water and gas lines, and a traffic light at Priestley Drive.
Flock License Plate Camera Program
A resident sharply criticized the city's expanding Flock camera network as government overreach with weak accountability, citing misuse by police and immigration agents elsewhere. Mayor Begeny promised a council briefing before the August recess covering oversight guardrails, privacy steps, and measured safety benefits.
Tax Incentive Review Council Recommendations
Council approved three 15-year property tax abatements under the Community Reinvestment Area program — VTRE Development and two TCC Reynoldsburg entities — each 6-1. Councilmember Baker argued 15 years exceeds what the city should give away, even for development.
Child daycare center at 6549 E. Livingston Avenue
Grace B Daycare wants to open with 15 kids in a vacant tenant space, but the playground location near a rear drive aisle and an old dumpster raised safety questions. The board gave them until April 16 to produce a proper site plan.
2024 State Audit Findings and Auditor Office Rebuild
The district's audit is done, with one dispute over a records request the board felt wasn't really a request. Insurance renewed with just a $110 premium bump.
Eastwood TIF Fund Budget Correction
The budget passed in December accidentally still included big vehicle purchases that were supposed to be cut. Council redid the vote with the correct, lower numbers.
2026 Street Maintenance and Improvement Project
A new priority list ranks residential roads for paving over the next three years using a 'good curbs, bad roads' guideline. The mayor admits many roads still need work.
Short-Term Rental Regulations (Section 705)
Council is weighing how to handle Airbnb-style rentals. Norm Brusk pushed for a total ban, saying party houses disrupt neighborhoods and strain police services. Georgia Byrd, a super host since 2018, warned that regulating or banning short-term rentals would hurt the income she and her husband rely on.
2027 Tax Budget Adoption
The Auditor's office is still untangling incomplete 2025 books left by the prior administration, needs a temp accountant, and had to add debt service funding the 2026 budget accidentally omitted.
Local food insecurity
Helping Hands served 122 families a month in 2025 — demand up 31% in five years — and asked the city for $4,750 a quarter to buy staples and fresh food it can't get donated.
COTA Bus Rapid Transit progress
The LinkUS BRT project on East Main Street has been scaled back to under 1.3 miles with signalized U-turns and added turn lanes. The mayor acknowledged construction will be hard on corridor businesses.
Home-based federal firearms license business in a residential neighborhood
A resident wants to run a small firearms dealing and assembly business out of his home on Nocturne Road, selling at gun shows and online rather than from the house. The board weighed safety concerns about guns stored in a residential home against the fact that the home occupation code doesn't specifically address firearms, and approved it with strict no-sales, no-manufacturing conditions.
Splash Laundry expansion appeal denied
Since the 2020 zoning code rewrite, no new laundromat can legally open anywhere in the city — existing ones are grandfathered in. Board members flagged this as a bigger policy question, since if both existing laundromats closed, the city would have none. The owner was encouraged to petition City Council to change the law.
2026 Franklin County property value update
The Franklin County Auditor's triennial update is underway: tentative values go out in June, and owners can contest them for free at informal sessions from late July through September. Values could affect property taxes, though most tax burden is set by voted levies.
Water and Sewer Capacity Fee Updates
Council issued up to $1.55 million in notes for water system improvements and $13.91 million for the city's vehicle fleet, both as emergency measures ahead of bond sales.
Proposed Taylor Road Annexation (133 acres, Etna Township)
A 120-acre commercial area off Taylor Road has begun the annexation process and will be zoned 'innovation' for career-based jobs — potentially the biggest economic development since Victoria's Secret.
Traffic safety near schools and in Reynolds Crossing/The Meadows
A resident's email detailed another crash from cut-through speeding, and the city is studying traffic lights at Rosehill/Renton and near Slate Ridge Elementary as the school district shifts to neighborhood schools.
Waggoner Road Phase II Right-of-Way Services
Council moved forward on the Waggoner Road Phase II project with right-of-way purchases and a DLZ inspection contract funded by a state grant. An on-site inspector will track daily quantities and answer resident questions during construction.
Bond-anticipation notes for infrastructure
Council is issuing $1.55M in notes for the Summit Road waterline and $13.91M for Waggoner Phase 2 and the parks/service building road — chosen over traditional bonds for better rates and security.
Surveillance Technology Policy
The police department will station three Skydio X10 drones on City Hall's roof under a five-year Axon contract, aiming to reach 93.5% of priority-one calls in under two minutes with live aerial views before officers arrive.
Emergency shelter for power outages
After a windstorm left Reynoldsburg Estates residents without power for 27 hours, a resident asked the City to designate a church or school as a warming/rescue shelter. Over 40% of the park's residents are elderly, some on powered medical equipment.
School Funding and Property Tax Petition
The mayor criticized Ohio's school funding system and voucher diversion, and warned that a petition to eliminate property taxes could hit schools, libraries, fire departments and city services hard.
2026 City Budget
The city's 2026 budget is $37.5 million, funded mostly by local income tax revenue plus state funds and limited property tax. Spending is approved by the auditor and council.
Brice Road realignment and BRT infrastructure
The mayor announced $2 million in federal funding for realigning Brice Road at East Main Street, plus $4.2 million in BRT-related transportation improvements. Construction could start in late 2027.
2026 State Capital Budget funding opportunity
Senator Reynolds told council the state's 2026 Capital Budget has $15-20 million for all of Franklin County, with applications due March 12. Projects under $1 million get the best shot, and the state wants to be the 'last money in' covering no more than half a project. A splash pad and park upgrades were floated as candidates.
$13.9 Million Road Improvement Bond
Council took the first step on borrowing up to $13.91 million to pay for road work, mainly Waggoner Road Phase 2 and the Parks/Service building roadway.
Ward 3 council seat vacancy and appointment
Five residents applied to fill the Ward 3 seat left open when Bhuwan Pyakurel became Council President. Teneah Chambers won unanimously and was sworn in the same night.
Election
Five candidates are battling for Reynoldsburg City Council at-large seats in the November 4 election. These winners will directly shape your local tax rates and city services, so your vote matters.
Residential Development Approval
Reynoldsburg has approved the first phases of a 664-unit housing development. That means hundreds of new residents, added traffic, and more strain on city services—so expect growth debates to hit closer to home.
Entertainment District
Reynoldsburg just approved a new outdoor drinking zone on East Main Street, letting people grab a drink and walk around outside. Get ready for a livelier nightlife and more patio events in the near future.
dangerous dog ordinance (Avery's Law)
Reynoldsburg is moving to pass 'Avery's Law' after a girl was mauled by two pit bulls. The ordinance targets dangerous dogs but could create new rules, costs, or restrictions for dog owners citywide. If you own a dog, watch how the city defines and enforces 'dangerous.'
Marijuana Dispensary Zoning
Reynoldsburg is bucking nearby cities by moving to allow a marijuana dispensary, betting on extra tax cash and jobs. The catch: council still has to hash out zoning, and that debate could get heated.
Public Nuisance
Reynoldsburg is moving to shut down a local hotel that's become a hotspot for crime, showing the city means business when it comes to cleaning up sketchy properties in your neighborhood.
Alcohol Permit Transfer Denial
Reynoldsburg City Council blocked the alcohol permit transfer for Los Pinos, so the business can’t legally serve alcohol under new ownership unless the decision changes. That throws a wrench into the sale and day-to-day operations. If you care about local restaurants or the sale, this is the holdup.