Columbus City Council Meeting

Columbus City Council Meeting.
November 13, 2023.

Meeting Highlights:

Funding Low-Income Water and Sewer Discount Program With ARPA Dollars:
Council President Pro Tem Rob Dorans, chair of the Public Utilities Committee, is sponsoring Ordinance 2199-2023 to authorize the City Auditor to transfer $321,660 from the Coroanvirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Budget to the Water Operating Fund. This will be a reimbursement for the Low Income Water and Sewer Discount Program. A 20% discount is available on water and sewage consumption charges for qualifying low-income customers. The Department of Public Utilities is also offering a one-time $60 credit for approved customers.

Expanding Support for Small Businesses Through Accelerate Columbus:
Councilmember Nick Bankston, chair of the Small & Minority Business Committee is sponsoring Ordinance 2977-2023 to authorize the Director of Development to enter multiple contracts totaling $925,000 for Accelerate Columbus. In 2019, the City of Columbus launched a pilot of the Accelerate Columbus Small Business Program as a set of small business training, technical assistance, mentoring, and advertisement programs targeting aspiring and existing small business owners. The City is finalizing the Request for Proposal (RFP) process to contract with organizations for the third year of the program. The program’s offerings for this third year will be its largest to date.

Extending Contract for American Dream Downpayment Initiative (ADDI):
Councilmember Shayla Favor, chair of the Housing Committee, is sponsoring Ordinance 3069-2023 to modify and extend a contract with the Tony R. Wells Foundation to add $133,000 to the American Dream Downpayment Initiative (ADDI) Program. The ADDI Program provides a deferred, forgivable loan for downpayment and closing costs for low and moderate-income, first-time homebuyers. This expansion will allow an increase in eligibility for applicants who make up to 120% of the Average Median Income (AMI) as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).