City of Columbus - File #: 1740-2026

• File #: 1740-2026
• Version: 1
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Second Reading
• File created: 6/2/2026
• In control: Neighborhoods, Recreation, & Parks Committee
• On agenda: 6/29/2026
• Title: To authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into various contracts for management of the Urban Forestry Master Plan; to authorize and direct the City Auditor to establish auditor’s certificates in the amount of $2,000,000.00 for various expenditures in conjunction with the management of the Urban Forestry Master Plan; to authorize and direct the Director of Finance and Management to enter into various contracts for the purchase of equipment on behalf of the Recreation and Parks Department; to authorize the transfer of $2,000,000.00 between the General Fund Income Tax Set Aside Subfund and the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund; to authorize the appropriation of $2,000,000.00 in the Income Tax Set Aside Subfund and Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; to authorize the expenditure of $2,000,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($2,000,000.00)

Explanation

Background: The Columbus Urban Forestry Master Plan (UFMP) is the first citywide strategic plan to invest long-term in Columbus’ trees. Over the next decades, the UFMP will guide the entire Columbus Community to prioritize, preserve, and grow our tree canopy. Tree canopy refers to the part of a city that is shaded by trees. Canopy cover is the percentage of the city that is covered by trees when viewed from above, as opposed to other land cover like water, open green space, hard surfaces and bare soil. In April of 2021, the Columbus Recreation and Parks Commission voted in support of and Columbus City Council passed a resolution to support the Columbus Urban Forestry Master Plan and its immediate implementation. By authorizing the implementation of the Urban Forestry Master Plan, the Forestry Section of the Recreation and Parks Department has been able to implement key recommendations through hiring staff, purchasing equipment, procuring tree service contracts, inventorying the City’s street trees, and engaging urban forestry consultants. Since UFMP approval in 2021, the City has implemented several key initiatives. Protections for public trees have been updated for the first time in 30 years in conjunction with the new Tree Technical Manual. A citywide street tree inventory has been completed, collecting data on over 125,000 street trees and 96,000 planting spaces. The first county-wide tree canopy assessment was completed, finding Columbus has 5 million trees and 22% citywide tree canopy cover.

This ordinance is requesting the authorization the expenditure of $2,000,000.00 in voted bond funds and the authorization for the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into various contracts relating to the Urban Forestry Master Plan. This ordinance will establish auditor's certificates and authorize expenditures for staffing, service, and equipment needs, in conjunction with the management of the UFMP. Contracts will be entered in compli...