Columbus City Council passed a broad consent agenda and moved several committee ordinances this evening covering arts funding, arena infrastructure, cannabis excise appropriations and programmatic grants, and multiple capital and operating contracts.
Notable outcomes:
- Resolution 0052x-2026: Council adopted a resolution recognizing Emily R. as 2026 Youth of the Year for the Boys & Girls Club of Central Ohio (adopted on the consent calendar).
- Ordinance 0587-2026: Council authorized distribution of anticipated non-arena admissions tax proceeds to the Greater Columbus Arts Council, citing an estimated distribution in the $11 million range; Mitch Menchaca, GCAC’s president and CEO, thanked council for supporting arts funding.
- Ordinance 0591-2026: The council authorized an estimated $3,475,000 appropriation of arena admissions tax proceeds to the Franklin County Convention Facility Authority for infrastructure work at Nationwide Arena.
- Ordinance 0731-2026: Council approved amendments to appropriations that included a transfer of $850,000 to Recreation & Parks to restore summer youth programming and established approximately $36,300,000 in adult-use cannabis excise tax appropriations to support the 2026 Elevate grants program.
Council also approved multiple other ordinances across committees (fleet fuel purchases, utility projects, public safety equipment, HOPWA agreements and zoning items) as listed on the meeting agenda. Most committee items were moved and passed with no additional roll-call questions.