Info About The Possible November 2021 Ballot Initiative

Maybe.

Many Hilliard residents have long said it would be wonderful to have a modern community center similar to those offered in neighboring cities. The city also has many needs for park and recreation programs, amenities, development and maintenance, including additional athletic fields.

In the past few months, the City has been performing a feasibility study to determine if it would be practical to construct and operate a Community Center, perhaps along the lines as those offered in Westerville, Dublin, and Worthington.

This research included a community survey and regional market assessment that examine the types of recreational facilities, programs, and services needed in Hilliard and nearby communities.

With the results of this research, City Council members will then have information that will help us answer two important, related questions:

• Do we believe our community wants and would benefit from a community center?
• Would voters support a new community center by approving a 0.5-percent income tax increase that would be mainly paid by people who live in other communities (such as Columbus) but work in Hilliard? 

If the City places an income tax issue on the November 2021 ballot, the resulting revenue would be earmarked for quality of life amenities such as construction and operation of the center, increased senior center programs and facilities, acquiring and developing future parks and trails, maintenance of existing parks and facilities, new athletic fields, and other recreation and parks priorities.

City Council and the Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee will review results of the Community Center feasibility study and the community survey in April.

In June, RPAC will bring a recommendation to City Council about whether that committee believes such a ballot issue should be placed on the ballot and, if so, what such an issue would entail.

City Council expects to consider this topic in June and, if it decides to move forward with a ballot issue, will likely vote in July. There will be opportunities for public feedback into this process before Council's final vote.

The ballot issue language would then be certified with Franklin County Board of Elections by early August. The City will ensure our community receives all the information needed to make a choice come election day.

Voters would decide whether to support the initiative Nov. 2.

At this time, no decision has been made as to an exact location.

At this time, specific amenities have not been finalized, but it is likely such a center would have comparable amenities to those in neighboring communities such as Dublin, Worthington, and Westerville.

While there are many variables that affect the actual amount of income taxes collected each year, the City projects a 0.5% income tax increase would generate approximately $7.2 million per year. If approved by voters, these new revenues would be earmarked to pay for quality-of-life amenities such as construction and operation of a new community center, parkland acquisition and development, park maintenance, new athletic fields, and bike and walking trails.

It depends on your personal employment and residency situation.

Retired adults: If you live in the City of Hilliard and are a senior living on a fixed retirement income, you would not pay any additional taxes.

Living and working in Hilliard: If you both live in Hilliard AND work in Hilliard, you would pay an additional 0.5% income tax. So, if you earn $50,000, that would equal $250 per year, which would help pay for things like parks, trails, athletic fields, and a community center.

Living in Hilliard and working elsewhere: If you live in Hilliard but work in another community that already has a 2.5% income tax (such as Columbus, Westerville, or Worthington), your income taxes will not increase. If you work in a community with a 2% income tax, such as Dublin, the extra 0.5% would go to Hilliard to help pay for things like parks, trails, athletic fields, and a community center.

Working in Hilliard, but living outside the City limits: You currently pay Hilliard 2% income tax. This would increase by 0.5%. So, if you earn $50,000, that would equal $250 per year.