What our city looks like and how we get around are not the only factors in creating a great, lasting, place. Funding is important too. Further, Powell’s revenues directly fund several quality-of-life enhancing services like parks, police, and infrastructure improvements.
Throughout the comprehensive plan process, the steering committee directed analysis of Powell’s revenues, expenditures, and budget projections.
Revenues
The key finding of this analysis is that household and business-generated general revenues under the current funding structure are not sufficient to support the community either currently or over the long-term; in other words, the City is facing a structural imbalance. It is important to note that this does not mean that the City is in any imminent fiscal danger but that changes must be made in order to continue providing the same level of service residents enjoy.
The mix of development types and amounts is important. The relationship between land uses, the distance between those uses, the roadways to connect those places, and the underlying infrastructure to support the city all adds up on the balance sheet. Going into the future, Powell’s growth decisions effect those factors and ultimately the budget. Do we decide the current boundaries are enough or expand?
When thinking about Powell’s budget and existing conditions in our area, an opportunity is presented. Delaware County is currently the fastest growing county in the entire state of Ohio. Powell can leverage that growth through one of several development scenarios, listed below. Each of those scenarios differently impacts the bottom line.
(click each image for a larger map and pro forma)
Scenario 1:
Infill and Redevelopment
In this scenario, Powell’s boundaries are locked to the current extent. All growth happens on empty parcels already in the city.
Advantages: Powell stays relatively similar in size and service area.
Disadvantages: Powell does not control the land uses, look, and feel, of development in the surrounding area.
Scenario 2:
Strategic Annexation
This scenario targets already developed areas just neighboring the current city boundaries. Two alternatives were studied under this scenario. First, annexation of key development areas. Second, annexation of already developed areas.
Advantages: Moderate growth scenario. Capturing school wages can boost Powell’s bottom line.
Disadvantages: Annexing existing single-family subdivisions is a net loss for the city. They do not generate enough income to carry their own cost.
Scenario 3:
Annexation North of Home Road
This scenario more than the others captures the significant growth happening in the region. Under this option, Powell controls the growth along the Sawmill Parkway corridor. Development in this area will happen regardless of which municipality the land is under.
Advantages: Powell directly controls the land uses, look, and feel of the growing Sawmill corridor. An appropriate mix of uses can be planned to benefit the financial health of the city.
Disadvantages: Powell adds significant land area and responsibility.
The following set of guidelines were developed to inform decisions affecting the financial health of the city.
