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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Waggoner Road paving progress
Paving started on Waggoner Road, with Phase 1 expected open to traffic within about two weeks if weather cooperates.
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.
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.
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.