POWELL — Powell officials expect to spend roughly $43.1 million in fiscal year 2027, nearly $6 million more than the revenue the city expects to bring in.
The 2027 budget represents a 0.9% increase from the 2026 budget, with city officials citing overall rising costs due to inflation and specifically rising utility costs as part of the increase.
“This planned use of accumulated balances supports investments that extend beyond a single fiscal year, including capital improvements and other council priorities,” City Manager Andy White wrote in a memo to city council.
The budget allocates money — largely generated by the municipal income tax and real estate tax — for capital infrastructure, public facilities, economic development, public safety, operational needs and public services.
“Our main objective is to make the lives of our residents and businesses easier or better, and we’re accomplishing that main objective through themes of facilities, annexation, intergovernmental relationships and storytelling,” said Finance Director Samantha Borchers.
“All the proposed expenditures you’ll review tonight will tie back to those goals.”
Other objectives are to maintain infrastructure, enhance parks, expand downtown offerings, retain businesses and improve city operations.
Borchers said next year’s budget includes a one-time debt payment of $1.7 million. General fund expenditures are projected to exceed revenues by about $3.3 million, but she said the fund has the capacity to absorb the additional costs.
“Because we’ve been saving up funds, reserving those items, it’s not a recurring spending deficit. It’s just next year’s expenses are higher than revenues across all funds,” Borchers said.
What will the budget fund?
There is $12.2 million set aside for Capital Improvement Program projects, which include:
- $3.6 million for the annual street and path maintenance program.
- $1.4 million for the Adventure Park CSX tunnel.
- $423,500 for design of the Liberty Road and Carriage Road roundabout.
- $375,000 for Sawmill corridor traffic signal enhancements.
- $180,000 for design of new shared-use path additions.
- $475,000 for engineering and design of the Scioto Street reconstruction between North Depot and North Liberty streets.
- Anticipated debt financing for the Scioto Street extension and northeast quadrant parking lot.
- $50,000 for annual stormwater system maintenance.
- $342,800 for schematic design for Bennett Farm and an additional $150,000 is included for Bennett Farm site maintenance.
- $45,000 toward the design of potential replacement of the City’s salt dome.
There is also almost $18 million that will fund city personnel services, operating expenditures and capital across 16 departments.
Among them, the police station receives the most funding at almost $6 million because it has the largest share of staff. Behind police, public service receives the second largest share at $2 million.
In 2027, three new Powell staff members will come on board: an economic development coordinator to join Economic Development Director Sean Hughes, an information technology coordinator to eliminate the need to get IT services externally, and an administrative sergeant in the police department.
There is also another $8.6 million for non-operating expenditures, which includes adding over $6 million to the Capital Improvement Program fund.
The parks, public service and engineering departments will receive $5,405,980, a 4.3% increase compared to last year, for facilities work, buildings improvements, fleet management and more.
The parks department specifically requested $23,000 for increased splash pad maintenance, $20,000 for field leveling, and drainage work at the blue diamond at Seldom Seen Park.
In addition, the public service department requested $100,000 for parking lot repairs and repaving at Murphy Park, as well as for more snow and ice removal tools to pilot maintaining bike paths in winter months.
City officials also set aside $2,313,690 for debt service funds.
Council will review and approve the budget again at the Nov. 17 meeting.
Find the full presentation that breaks down the budget here.
