Columbus Council Approves Housing Grant, Tourism Shift; Fire Union Opposes Norwich Township Deal

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus City Council on June 23 approved a $148,000 grant for affordable housing training, shifted bed tax revenue to tourism marketing, and voted to fund a Sept. 11 Day of Service, but a 6-3 vote on a fire service compensation agreement drew sharp opposition from the firefighters union.

Council members also unanimously adopted a resolution honoring retiring Chief Information Officer Sam Orth, who led the city’s technology department through the COVID-19 pandemic and a cyberattack.

The most contentious item was Ordinance 1508-2026, updating a compensation agreement with Norwich Township tied to the Sugar Farms development. The measure passed 6-3, with council members Dorren, Green and Harden voting no. The firefighters union opposed the deal, arguing it encourages reliance on mutual aid rather than building new Columbus fire stations in growing areas. Several council members expressed concern about the lack of a long-term plan for station placement.

Council unanimously approved Ordinance 1684-2026, authorizing a $148,000 grant to Enterprise Community Partners for a mission-driven affordable housing initiative. The program will provide training and technical assistance to faith-based and nonprofit organizations.

In a separate vote, council passed Ordinance 1953-2026, redistributing the affordable housing trust bed tax to Experience Columbus to boost tourism marketing. The measure includes a $12.5 million commitment over five years to the affordable housing trust from bond dollars.

Council also approved Ordinance 1835-2026, funding a citywide day of service on Sept. 11, 2026, led by the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. The event will include a meal-packing activity.

The meeting opened with a prayer from Pastor TJ Lynch of Gethsemane Lutheran Church, followed by the national anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Council members also passed several routine items, including software contracts for Columbus Water and Power, a product liability settlement for water quality improvements, solar energy agreements, and emergency sewer repairs in German Village. Several items were postponed to the June 29 meeting for additional public input.

Key moments

Contentious

Firefighters union opposition to TIFF agreement

We should not have another municipality running the city of Columbus taking our runs.

Significant Part 1 · 1:31:42

Council President Harden votes no on TIFF agreement

I'm actually going to vote no tonight. Uh because what I think we need is the plan.

Public interest

CIO Sam Orth retirement speech

Serving as a city CIO has been one of the great honors of my professional life.

Significant

September 11th Day of Service presentation

Columbus has been selected as one of only 50 cities nationwide participating in this effort.

Significant

Bed tax redistribution debate

In our competitive set as a city we actually rank dead last in our funding of our tourism sector.

Full analysis

Show structured analysis

Meeting Analysis

City of Columbus — 2026-06-23

Meeting Information

Title: Columbus City Council Meeting

Parish: City of Columbus

Date: 2026-06-23

Video: Recording

Transcript segments: 7291

Item	Description	Action	Vote Status
Retirement recognition of CIO Sam Orth	Council honored Sam Orth, Chief Information Officer, for his service and leadership in technology, including navigating the COVID-19 shift to remote work and a cyber attack.	Resolution 0149X-2026 adopted unanimously.	unanimous
Affordable housing grant with Enterprise Community Partners	Ordinance 1684-2026 authorizes a $148,000 grant to Enterprise Community Partners for a mission-driven affordable housing initiative, providing training and technical assistance to faith-based and nonprofit organizations.	Passed by voice vote.	unanimous
Bed tax redistribution to Experience Columbus	Ordinance 1953-2026 shifts the affordable housing trust bed tax distribution to Experience Columbus to boost tourism marketing, with a $12.5 million commitment over five years to the affordable housing trust from bond dollars.	Passed by voice vote.	unanimous
Norwich Township compensation agreement (Sugar Farms TIFF)	Ordinance 1508-2026 updates the compensation agreement with Norwich Township due to consolidation of TIFFs for the Sugar Farms development. Firefighters union opposed, citing reliance on mutual aid.	Passed 6-3 (Dorren, Green, Harden voted no).	6-3
September 11th Day of Service initiative	Ordinance 1835-2026 provides funding for a citywide day of service on September 11, 2026, led by the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, including a meal-packing event.	Passed by voice vote.	unanimous

$148,000 grant to Enterprise Community Partners for affordable housing training.
$12.5 million commitment over five years to affordable housing trust from bond dollars.
$1 million for fleet management automotive repair services.
$3.2 million for automotive parts for fleet management.
$5,105,976 for four Pierce Enforcer pumpers (postponed to June 29).
$4,478,180 for Axon body cameras, tasers, and software.
$2.8 million for solar energy purchase agreements.
$2,560,356 for sanitary sewer extension at Rickenbacker.

Firefighters union concerned about reliance on mutual aid and lack of new fire stations in growing areas.
Residents opposed a rezoning for office/warehouse use in a neighborhood, citing air quality and traffic concerns.

Firefighters union opposed the Norwich Township compensation agreement, arguing it incentivizes reliance on mutual aid instead of building new Columbus fire stations.
Council members expressed concerns about the lack of a long-term plan for fire station placement and over-reliance on mutual aid for growing areas.

No department reports noted.

Public safety committee hearing on fire apparatus on June 25.
Workforce education committee hearing on Early Start Columbus transition on June 24.
Postpone ordinance 1637-2026 (fire pumpers) to June 29 for further discussion.
Postpone ordinance 1841-2026 (domestic violence support) to June 29.
Postpone ordinance 1952-2026 (homeless services) to June 29.
Postpone resolution 0128X-2026 (tax budget) to June 29 for public hearing.