Worthington City Council reviewed the proposed 2026-2030 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) at their October 20, 2025, meeting, examining a comprehensive five-year plan totaling just over $70 million in infrastructure and equipment investments.
City Manager Robyn Stewart and Assistant City Manager David McCorkle presented the proposed CIP, which focuses on maintaining existing infrastructure while addressing new demands. The plan includes significant projects such as outdoor pool renovations, waterline replacements, arterial road maintenance, and continued work on the Kenyon Brook Sewer Project.
Major Highlights
The most notable equipment purchase in 2026 is a new fire engine, budgeted at $1.2 million from the general fund. Fire Chief Zambito explained the department is ordering a smaller, more efficient pumper truck than previous models, taking advantage of technological advances. However, due to manufacturing delays, the city expects a long wait.
"Once we place the order, it will take four plus years to actually get the truck and be able to put it into service," explained City Manager Stewart, noting the city already has another ladder truck and engine on order from previous years that are still awaiting delivery. The new engine is expected to last 16-20 years.
Revenue and Debt Trends
Income tax revenue continues to fund a large portion of the CIP, with projections of 3% growth in 2026, 2% growth in 2027-2029, and 2.5% growth in 2030. However, staff noted that the planned relocation of a major employer in 2026 creates uncertainty. Finance Director Scott Barger explained that rather than projecting a decrease, staff anticipates the loss will "eat into any incremental growth."
The plan also reflects increasing reliance on debt financing. Debt proceeds now represent 32% of CIP funding, and debt per capita is projected to climb from approximately $1,600 in 2026 to just under $2,000 by 2030. For context, debt per capita was only about $550 in 2017.
"This is outpacing inflation pretty significantly," McCorkle acknowledged. He noted that while the city carried very little debt before 2000, it has begun to regularly issue debt in recent years to fund major infrastructure needs.
In response to a council question about the importance of tracking debt levels, staff confirmed that debt service payments must be paid first before other expenditures, making it a critical metric for the city's financial planning.
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Key Infrastructure Projects
Water and Sewer
The CIP includes multiple waterline improvement projects, including West Wilson Bridge Road waterline improvements in 2026. Service and Engineering Director John Moorehead explained this project is timed to coincide with planned arterial resurfacing work on that road, avoiding the need to "resurface it and then trench a water line through the roadway." The waterline also connects to a major Columbus water transmission line, making it critical to the city's distribution system. The Kenyon Brook Sewer Project is anticipated to be completed during the CIP period.
Parks and Recreation
- Playground replacements are scheduled every other year, including Linworth Road Park, Pingree Park, and Wilson Hill Park playgrounds.
- Other park improvements include ball field lights, the Selby Shelter House renovation or replacement, and a skate park replacement.
- East Granville Road Park improvements include a placeholder for potential Parks and Recreation Foundation funding.
- The outdoor pool renovation is included in the 2026 budget at $13.9 million. In response to a question from Councilmember Robinson, Mr. McCorkle confirmed this represents the city's contribution, not the full project cost.
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Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure
The plan dedicates $100,000 annually to bike and pedestrian improvements.
- Projects include Olentangy River Trail maintenance (resurfacing), though a recent grant application for expanded trail improvements was unsuccessful. The city continues to seek alternative grant funding.
- LinkUs funding (from COTA) is anticipated for several projects, including the East Wilson Bridge Road shared use path, a sidewalk gap program, and a crossing at Olentangy River Road and Route 161. These are reimbursement-type grants.
- Worthington Mile Phase One funding remains in the CIP as a local match for anticipated grant funding. The project would create a 10-foot shared use path on the west side of High Street between Worthington-Galena Road and East Wilson Bridge Road. However, Moorehead clarified that construction would still be contingent on successfully securing outside funding.
City Facilities
Building improvements include the third phase of HVAC upgrades, City Hall elevator repairs, and potential first-floor City Hall renovations. The Community Center will see multiple improvements including locker room upgrades, south end flooring, elevator work, fitness equipment replacement, lobby renovations, and an air handler replacement. The Griswold Center will also receive elevator and fitness equipment improvements.
Technology and Connectivity
The city plans to build a WiFi mesh system in the central business district over 2026 and 2027 to improve public WiFi reliability. Councilmember Hermann noted community frustration with current connectivity in areas like La Chatelaine, and staff confirmed the mesh system aims to increase reliability for those using public spaces downtown.
Hermann also expressed disappointment with the fading of downtown wayfinding signage. Planning and Building Director Lee Brown explained that the first three phases of signage installed eight years ago were missing a protective coating. The city is now working to replace the faded signs and will specify the coating, which extends sign life by 10 years, for new installations. Some signs will be produced in-house.
Equipment Replacements
The CIP includes routine equipment replacements across departments:
- Police: Mobile data terminals and police cruiser replacements, featuring new graphics on newer vehicles (older vehicles still have the black and white design).
- Parks and Recreation: A recreation bus (transitioning to a 15-passenger van that doesn't require a CDL driver), a UTV for ball field maintenance, and replacement drinking fountains with bottle fillers.
- Service and Engineering: Various maintenance vehicles and equipment replacements.
Councilmember Hermann praised the Service and Engineering team for their quick and courteous work on a recent water line break near Whitney and Rieber, noting they managed to complete the repair, remove a large tree, replace concrete, and remove the stump within about a week and a half near both an elementary and middle school.
Financial Outlook and Uncertainties
The CIP fund balance is projected to fluctuate between 67% and 88% of annual expenditures over the five-year period, which McCorkle noted is consistent with last year's projections. This balance is important for cash flow, allowing the city to proceed with projects year-round rather than waiting for income tax revenues to accumulate.
Several uncertainties could affect the CIP implementation:
- The timing and amount of LinkUs funding.
- Parks and Recreation Foundation fundraising success (the foundation is newly established).
- The scope of the Selby Shelter House project.
City manager Stewart noted the current CIP allocation of $850,000 would not fund a full replacement but something "more than just the basic renovation." She then raised the policy question of whether to pursue grant funding or sponsorship opportunities, including the possibility of naming rights for the facility in exchange for sponsorship dollars.
Regarding the Worthington Mile Phase One, Stewart confirmed the city would continue pursuing grant funding. The next opportunity for MORPC attributable funds will come in 2026, and LinkUs funds may also be available in outer years of COTA's CIP program.
The proposed CIP reflects council's two-year policy agenda priorities, including outdoor pools, Worthington Mile, and the sidewalk gap program. The city team will return to council in November for further discussion, with an expected adoption in December.
The full Capital Improvements Program documents are available on the City of Worthington website.