Reynoldsburg · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Reynoldsburg public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Reynoldsburg Week at COSI
Reynoldsburg becomes the first community to partner with COSI on this model: STEM activities at the Tomato and Diwali festivals, plus discounted admission for all residents July 20-26.
Elected officials' compensation ordinance
A proposal would set salaries for the mayor, city auditor and city attorney ahead of 2027 elections, with the auditor's pay rising about 30 percent by 2030. Council held it for one more work session.
City cybersecurity program
Following state law passed after the Columbus cyberattack, the city adopted a formal cybersecurity program. Any ransom payment would now have to come before council.
Backyard chicken ownership ordinance
A resident asked council to revisit allowing backyard poultry, saying last year's research was silently dropped. She wants answers or a permit-based exception.
Playground and court improvements at McPherson, Huber and JFK parks
DLZ was hired to inspect the conversion of courts at JFK Park to pickleball — a parks upgrade moving forward.
Nonprofit funding advocacy
With federal and state funding cuts squeezing local food pantries and charities, the city is designing a grant program for nonprofits based in Reynoldsburg ahead of the 2027 budget. Council wants a hard cap, fixed award limits around $15,000, and a review committee with scoring criteria.
Homelessness services — Reynoldsburg Hope Center
Pastor Aaron DeLong invited council to the Hope Center's October 19 open house; the center serves about 75 homeless residents three days a week with showers, laundry, meals, and clothing.
Proposed 501(c)(3) nonprofit grant program
With federal and state funding cuts squeezing local food pantries and charities, the city is designing a grant program for nonprofits based in Reynoldsburg ahead of the 2027 budget. Council wants a hard cap, fixed award limits around $15,000, and a review committee with scoring criteria.
Bryce Road tax office site compliance variances
A former medical office at 1624 Bryce Road is becoming a tax, notary, and bookkeeping business. Because the lot is small and already built out, the owner needed relief from modern driveway and buffer rules — the board agreed the hardship is real, not self-created.
Senior Center staffing and hours
The Senior Center board wants a third staff member and has floated Saturday hours, though most nearby centers don't offer them and weekends are currently used for Parks programming. Conversations are ongoing.
Payroll Issues
Reynoldsburg teachers are left hanging without their paychecks, demanding immediate answers from the school district. It's a huge disruption for local educators who count on that money to pay their bills.
Food Truck Regulations (Chapter 753)
New rules would require food trucks to get a $100 city permit, operate only dawn to dusk, and leave each site daily — aimed at stopping semi-permanent setups and protecting stormwater from grease dumping. Council debated whether the rules go too far on private property.
Child daycare proposal at 1792 Brice Road
A proposed 56-child daycare in the I Innovation district was tabled because the applicant lacks a site plan, and the proposed playground sits near truck delivery routes and a rear egress door. She'll return by November 19.
Zoning code update
Staff proposed a batch of code fixes: dropping newspaper legal ads for variances, allowing laundromats in more districts, regulating changeable copy signs, possibly dropping the drive-through escape lane requirement, bigger ADUs, spiked fencing instead of barbed wire, and new transit-related definitions. Draft text heads to council this fall.
JEDD #1 Board Reorganization
The joint economic development district filled its leadership for the new term — Washington back as chair and Jon Hanson as the employee member, completing the board. A full board means the district can keep making decisions on shared revenue and development.
Strong Second-Quarter Revenue
JEDD #1 brought in $829,873.44 in second-quarter revenue, boosted by timing and a new large facility replacing Ashley Furniture, plus $200,000 in funds recovered from Pataskala. That money funds the district's economic development work.
Police Misconduct
Two Reynoldsburg police officers quit after getting caught allegedly misusing the city's Flock surveillance cameras. It's a huge privacy headache and a terrible look for local law enforcement.
Columbus water and sewer rates for master-meter communities
Councilmember Baker says Reynoldsburg maintains its own water and sewer lines but pays Columbus the same rates as communities where Columbus does the maintenance. He's pushing for a reduced rate, which could affect local utility bills.
Chamber of Commerce grant request
The chamber asked the city for $30,000 to expand business education and support programs. The mayor wants a funding framework from the auditor and city attorney before a work session after recess.
Summit Road Industrial CRA tax exemption
Council discussed — partly in executive session — a property tax exemption agreement with Summit Road Industrial LLC under the Community Reinvestment Area program, and advanced the ordinance for a first reading.
East Main Street and Brice Road intersection improvement
The federally funded realignment of the Brice and Main Street intersection is in final design and expected in the next two to three years, requiring right-of-way from the redeveloped property. One variance becomes unnecessary once the project is complete.
July 3 fireworks security protocols at Civic Park
The Pyrotecnico contract was approved at $55,500 — a bigger, longer show for the America 250 celebration, with the increase partly due to tariffs.
Summit Road widening and right-of-way acquisition
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.
Rights-of-way management overhaul
A 42-page rewrite of the city's rights-of-way rules — untouched since 2005 — will require utility and fiber companies to get city approval before digging in public corridors, protecting water mains, roads, and neighborhoods from construction chaos.
Event safety after Bexley teen takeover
After a Bexley festival was overrun by 500-800 teens, Mayor Begeny reassured residents that Reynoldsburg's 18-and-over and wristband policies, plus police coordination, will protect this summer's events.
Waggoner Road paving progress
Paving started on Waggoner Road, with Phase 1 expected open to traffic within about two weeks if weather cooperates.
Parks Improvements: Civic Park, Pickleball, Moyer Park
Big park year ahead: Civic Park gets trails, a dog park and disc golf; six pickleball courts break ground this spring; and a new Moyer Park pocket park on Main Street will have restrooms, a performance area and a splash pad.
Retention pond safety and fencing at 8400 East Main Street
A large retention pond serving a 705-acre watershed has been drawing trespassers — kids on thin ice, signs torn down, vehicles through gates — and the owner says liability insurance is now at risk. The zoning code caps street-frontage fences at 4 feet and bans chain link citywide, so the owner sought variances. The board signaled the material ban is off-limits but hinted a taller fence may be legal if set back past 20 feet.
NOPEC Grant for Code Enforcement Vehicles
A $70,000 NOPEC grant will pay for two Ford Mavericks for code enforcement plus a third vehicle, keeping those costs out of the general budget.
Child daycare conditional use at 6328 E. Livingston Ave
A proposed daycare for 15 children was denied because the applicant never submitted a site plan showing the outdoor playground's location relative to the drive aisle and dumpsters. The space stays vacant and the applicant can reapply with a complete plan.
Mixed-use building on landlocked Old Reynoldsburg parcel
A 0.11-acre floodplain-constrained parcel at 7372 E. Main Street got all five variances plus design approval for a 2,000-square-foot building with office space and two studio apartments — one of the only true mixed-use buildings in the Old Reynoldsburg district.
MI Homes townhome garage design standard variance
MI Homes wants 27 townhome lots to have garages extending 20 feet 6 inches past the front facade — the 'snout house' style the city's design code was written to prevent. The board wasn't convinced the hardship tests were met and tabled the request to June 4 at the applicant's request.
Water system improvements and outage alerts
The city is hiring EMH&T to model its water distribution system so it knows who loses water when a valve closes, and plans an opt-in text alert system to replace door-knocking. Water meter prices are also going up in July.
TIF consulting services with Baker Tilly
The city has several TIF districts whose finances are complicated, so it's hiring Baker Tilly for up to $40,000 to do state reporting and revenue forecasting. The goal is an annual TIF 'book' to inform budget decisions.
Gun Theft and Safe Storage Initiative
Gun thefts from unlocked cars are up, so the city will launch a 'storage safe' program in 2026 to help lawful gun owners secure firearms. The mayor criticized state limits on gun regulation.
Government Address
Reynoldsburg is hosting its State of the City forum at City Hall, giving residents a chance to hear updates on what the local government is up to.
Settlement of pending litigation
After a closed-door session, council unanimously authorized the mayor to settle pending litigation. Terms weren't made public.
Snow Removal Response
Council and the mayor praised street crews working 12-hour shifts through the storm. Salt is less effective in extreme cold, and the city is low on salt but awaiting a delivery.
Police Cruiser Replacement
Two new Ford Interceptor cruisers were approved to replace older or totaled patrol vehicles. Ordering early in the year ensures the cars arrive and get outfitted in time.
Reynoldsburg Recovery Court Renewal
The grant agreement with Franklin County's ADAMH Board keeps the Recovery Court running for 2026, covering half the Criminal Justice Administrator's salary. Seven people graduated in 2025.
166 Cady Court rear setback variance
A 30-year resident wanted to roof an existing deck footprint, but the 2020 zoning code's 30-foot rear setback blocks it on his angled cul-de-sac lot. The board denied the four-foot variance 4-2, citing hardship standards and precedent.
Broadband strategy study
The city is spending $68,000 on a six-month study to decide whether Reynoldsburg should get involved in providing or expanding internet service.
State of the City Address
Reynoldsburg is hosting its 2025 State of the City address on Feb. 19. It's your best chance to hear directly from local leaders about upcoming projects and where the city is headed this year.
School Levy
Reynoldsburg City Schools is asking for its first property tax levy in 14 years to pull in over $40 million over the next five years. If you live in the district, expect your annual property tax bill to go up.
Development Director Departure
Reynoldsburg’s top development official, Andrew Bowsher, is leaving to become city manager of Sidney, so the city now has to replace the person leading its economic growth push. That means a leadership gap right as Reynoldsburg needs someone to keep development deals and business recruitment moving.