Politics
Columbus Voters Decide November Sales Tax for 2027 Transit and Road Projects
Voters will decide in November whether a new sales tax takes effect next year, with the first visible changes to bus routes and road repairs expected by mid-2027.
How we reported this
The Columbus Mobility Improvement Referendum asks Franklin County voters to approve a half-cent sales tax increase dedicated to transit and road work. Passage would direct new revenue to the Central Ohio Transit Authority and city public works starting in the 2027 budget year.
The measure appears on the November 2026 ballot because state law requires local tax questions to reach voters at least 90 days before the fiscal year they affect. City finance staff prepared the proposal after the 2025 operating budget showed a $48 million shortfall in capital projects for streets and buses.
When the changes reach residents
Collections would begin January 1 2027. Bus frequency upgrades on the Number 2 and Number 10 routes are listed first in the draft spending plan, with new vehicles ordered for delivery that summer. Road resurfacing crews would start work on East Broad Street and Livingston Avenue in the spring of 2027.
Commuters who drive would notice lane closures during those months. Riders who use the downtown connector would see shorter headways on weekdays once the new buses arrive. Property owners along the targeted corridors would receive notices of construction schedules in March 2027.
Next steps after the vote
If approved, the Franklin County Board of Elections must certify results by December 10 2026. City council would then adopt the final allocation ordinance in January 2027. The first quarterly revenue report to residents is scheduled for release in April 2027 through the city auditor's office.
Ballot language limits the tax to ten years unless renewed. County records show similar levies in 2016 produced $92 million in the first full year of collection.