Hello Worthington! Here's your recap of what happened at the Monday December 8, 2025 City Council meeting. Below are brief summaries of the most significant discussions. For those interested in the full details, we've included links to longer articles where appropriate.
Pool Lease Approved: Swim Inc. to Operate New Facility
Council voted 6-1 to approve a 20-year lease agreement with Swim Inc. to operate the new outdoor pool being built adjacent to Thomas Worthington High School. The deal includes a three-tiered rate structure favoring city residents, city representation on Swim Inc.'s board, and annual lease payments of $10,000 beginning in December 2031. One resident raised concerns about transparency and membership costs, while City Manager Robyn Stewart acknowledged rates will likely be higher than subsidized municipal pools in other communities. Councilmember David Robinson cast the sole no vote.
New Workforce Housing Tax Abatement Program Launches
Council adopted a new program offering tax abatements of 50-100% for developers who include affordable housing units in their projects. The program targets households earning 60-80% of the Area Median Income and sets a goal of 1,300 new housing units. Projects must include a commercial component with minimum payroll requirements. Two residents offered suggestions for making the program more flexible, and council plans to revisit it annually during the pilot phase. The resolution passed with one abstention from Councilmember Robinson.
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Council Celebrates Policy Agenda Progress
As the current council wraps up its term, City Manager Stewart presented a comprehensive update on the two-year policy agenda. Council members reflected on accomplishments including the pool project, housing initiatives, and the SAFER program. Several items were moved to the "Do Next" list for the incoming council, including an arts committee task force and Worthington Mile funding applications. Council members expressed pride in a strategic planning process rooted in community input.
In Other News
Council Pay Increase Approved: Council unanimously passed an ordinance increasing council member salaries, indexed to OPERS pension thresholds. The increase takes effect in 2028—more than 10 years since the last raise in 2017.
Budget Housekeeping: Three budget-related items passed unanimously: appropriations for 2026 equipment purchases already approved in the capital improvements program, additional funds to cover higher-than-expected utility bills, and transfers between budget line items mostly due to staff vacancies.
Board Appointments: Susan Hinz was reappointed to the Municipal Planning Commission, and three individuals were appointed to the Worthington International Friendship Association.
November Financials: The city remains in good financial shape with net profit tax collections up 15% (about $600,000) over 2024, though withholding taxes were slightly lower.
Upcoming Dates to Know
- December 19: Deadline for the Worthington Together Community Choices Survey.
Thanks for reading this summary of the City Council meeting. You can watch the full meeting video here.