2026 Bond Sale Ordinances (2866-2876-2026)
At a glance
- What: Eleven emergency ordinances (2866-2026 through 2876-2026) for the 2026 bond sale. Nine authorize new bonds totaling about $377.25 million for capital projects from the 2025 capital improvement budget; two refund existing debt (up to $682.395 million and up to $35.835 million).
- Background: Bankston said these are new ordinances after council tabled earlier bond ordinances in June to revisit the size of the package; the administration worked with the auditor on a more conservative number intended to protect the city's AAA rating.
- Where it stands: All eleven passed 9-0 on 10/19/2026. The refundings restructure existing debt rather than add new debt.
- Earlier version (6/29/2026): the first set, 1986-2026 through 1996-2026, was referred to committee on 6/29/2026, each 9-0, on motions by Bankston. Those ordinances sought about $515 million in new bonds (including $173,760,000 for health, safety and infrastructure) and the same two refundings; the October set is smaller in several categories. See the table in the June log entry below.
Ordinances and amounts (minutes)
All were moved by Bankston, seconded by Barroso De Padilla (2866, 2867, 2868, 2869, 2873) or Day-Achauer (2870, 2871, 2872, 2874, 2875, 2876).
| Ordinance | Type | Purpose | Amount (not to exceed) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2866-2026 | Unlimited tax | Health, safety and infrastructure; plus $4,000,000 from the Debt Retirement Fund for costs of issuance | $88,890,000 ($92,890,000 total) |
| 2867-2026 | Unlimited tax | Recreation and parks | $43,710,000 |
| 2868-2026 | Unlimited tax | Public service | $60,040,000 |
| 2869-2026 | Unlimited tax | Neighborhood development | $53,245,000 |
| 2870-2026 | Unlimited tax | Public utilities | $89,890,000 |
| 2871-2026 | Limited tax | Construction management | $7,970,000 |
| 2872-2026 | Limited tax | Fleet management | $5,800,000 |
| 2873-2026 | Limited tax | Economic and community development | $22,205,000 |
| 2874-2026 | Limited tax | Information services | $5,500,000 |
| 2875-2026 | Unlimited tax refunding | Refund outstanding general obligation bonds | $682,395,000 |
| 2876-2026 | Limited tax refunding | Refund outstanding general obligation bonds | $35,835,000 |
Each vote was 9-0: Bankston, Barroso De Padilla, Day-Achauer, Dorans, Green, Remy, Ross, Wyche and Hardin in favor.
Sources
- Columbus City Council minutes, 10/19/2026 (final): https://legistar3.granicus.com/Columbus/meetings/2026/10/6217_M_Columbus_City_Council_26-10-19_Minutes_-_Final.pdf
- Columbus City Council 10/19/2026 meeting video and agenda (columbus.legistar.com).
Discussion time
About 8 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).
| Meeting | Minutes |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-19 - Columbus City Council | 8 |
Log
2026-10-19 - Columbus City Council
- Bankston read all eleven ordinances; no questions or comments. Each was approved 9-0 on a roll call (second reading, emergency).
2026-06-29 - Columbus City Council
- Eleven emergency bond ordinances were each referred to committee 9-0 (all moved by Bankston, seconded by Wyche, Day-Achauer or Ross). The minutes record no discussion.
| Ordinance | Type | Purpose | Amount (not to exceed) | October replacement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986-2026 | Unlimited tax | Health, safety and infrastructure (plus $4,000,000 issuance costs) | $173,760,000 | 2866-2026, $88,890,000 |
| 1987-2026 | Unlimited tax | Recreation and parks | $45,955,000 | 2867-2026, $43,710,000 |
| 1988-2026 | Unlimited tax | Public service | $87,435,000 | 2868-2026, $60,040,000 |
| 1989-2026 | Unlimited tax | Neighborhood development | $59,980,000 | 2869-2026, $53,245,000 |
| 1990-2026 | Unlimited tax | Public utilities | $98,315,000 | 2870-2026, $89,890,000 |
| 1991-2026 | Limited tax | Construction management | $11,260,000 | 2871-2026, $7,970,000 |
| 1992-2026 | Limited tax | Fleet management | $5,800,000 | 2872-2026, $5,800,000 |
| 1993-2026 | Limited tax | Economic and community development | $23,915,000 | 2873-2026, $22,205,000 |
| 1994-2026 | Limited tax | Information services | $8,250,000 | 2874-2026, $5,500,000 |
| 1995-2026 | Unlimited tax refunding | Refund outstanding general obligation bonds | $682,395,000 | 2875-2026, $682,395,000 |
| 1996-2026 | Limited tax refunding | Refund outstanding general obligation bonds | $35,835,000 | 2876-2026, $35,835,000 |
The pairing of June and October ordinances is inferred from matching purposes and amounts; the minutes do not state it, but the October background (council tabled earlier bond ordinances in June) is consistent. The 6/22/2026 meeting also amended the 2025 Capital Improvements Budget (1873-2026, consent) to align with the proposed 2026 bond sale.