Franklin County greenlights plan to increase casino tax share to fund Nationwide Arena improvements

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners voted Jan. 6 to increase the county’s eventual share of casino tax revenue directed to the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority from the current 32% to 50% by 2029 to support renovation and modernization of Nationwide Arena.

Zach Tolarick of the Office of Management and Budget presented the proposal and said the allocation of additional casino tax revenue would be contingent on receipt of funds from the state and the issuance of bonds to fund arena improvements. "This resolution would increase the total share of casino tax going to the Convention Facilities Authority from the current 32% to 50% by 2029," Tolarick said.

Tolarick explained the county and the city jointly lease Nationwide Arena from the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority and that additional county funds would be structured so county funds would be the "last dollar in," contingent on state appropriations and successful bond issuance. The resolution was approved by roll call; Commissioner Crowley and Commissioner John O'Grady voted yes and Commissioner Boyce recorded an abstention.

County officials said the change is tied to a financing plan for capital improvements and debt service at the arena; the resolution does not itself authorize bond issuance or a state appropriation and identifies contingency conditions for the allocation to take effect.

Next steps listed by county staff include coordination with the Convention Facilities Authority and the city of Columbus on any bond issuance and conditional transfers of casino tax revenues.