Explanation
The purpose of this ordinance is to establish a Board of Revision to hear any objections to assessments associated with the Downtown Central Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc. and/or Downtown East Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc. authorization process.
As part of the Special Improvement District (SID) authorization process, four pieces of legislation are passed upon Council’s receipt of a valid petition for authorization. The third of the four pieces of legislation declares the necessity of the SID’s proposed plan of services and instructs the petitioner to submit to the City Clerk a list of proposed assessments for properties included in the proposed SID. Properties included in the proposed SID are given a two-week window to object to the calculation of the proposed assessment. The objections are heard by a Board of Revision which submits its findings to City Council for approval in the fourth and final piece of legislation.
This legislation establishes the Board of Revision for the authorization process for the two SIDs listed in the first paragraph.
Emergency action is requested so that the authorization process can be completed on time and in compliance with Ohio Revised Code and the Franklin County Auditor’s processes.
Title
To appoint Kathy Green, Trenth Smith, and Ellen Harvey to a Special Assessment Board of Revision, per City Charter Section 172, to hear the objections to the proposed assessments as part of the Downtown Central Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc. and/or Downtown East Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc. authorization process; to appoint Kim Knights as an alternate to said Board; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Council has approved two of four pieces of legislation associated with the Downtown Central Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc. and/or Downtown East Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc. authorization process;
WHEREAS, Council is considering the passage of the third piece of legislation in this process on the June 22, 2026, agenda;
WHEREAS, should a property owner object to a proposed assessment, City Charter Section 172 calls for a Board of Revision, appointed by Council to hear such objections
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to appoint a Board of Revision to comply with timelines established by the City Charter, the Ohio Revised Code, and the Franklin County Auditor's Office process for imposing special assessments, for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, property, and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That Kathy Green, Trent Smith, and Ellen Harvey, disinterested freeholders of the City of Columbus, Ohio, be and hereby are appointed to a Board of Revision to hear all objections to the proposed assessments for the Downtown Central Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc. and/or Downtown East Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc., as declared necessary by Ordinance Nos. 1832-2026 (Downtown Central SID) and 1852-2026 (Downtown East SID), which are incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 2. That Kim Knights, a disinterested freeholder of the City of Columbus, Ohio, be and hereby is appointed to a Board of Revision as an alternate to hear all objections to the proposed assessments for the Downtown Central Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc. and/or Downtown East Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc., as declared necessary by Ordinance Nos. 1832-2026 (Downtown Central SID) and 1852-2026 (Downtown East SID), which are incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 3. That said hearings for this Board of Revision shall be held at 2 PM on Thursday, August 13th, at 111 North Front St., Room 205, Columbus, Ohio 43215.
SECTION 4. That said Board shall report to Council its findings, if any, of the proposed assessments.
SECTION 5. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.