2016-2017 City of Westerville Annual Report and Resident Guide

Westerville 2016-2017

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ANNUAL REPORT RE S I DE N T G U ID E

WESTERVILLE CITY COUNCIL CONTACT US ATTEND A MEETING. Westerville City Council meets the first and third Tuesday of every month. Work sessions may be scheduled the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. All meetings occur at Westerville City Hall in Council Chambers (unless otherwise posted in advance) at 21 S. State St.

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SEND A MESSAGE. You may reach all members of Westerville City Council via email at CityCouncil@westerville.org. Please also visit the website at www.westerville.org/council. You may also contact the City Manager at David.Collinsworth@westerville.org.

LEAVE A MESSAGE. Please contact Mary Johnston, Westerville Clerk of Council, to leave your contact information, as well as questions, comments or feedback: (614) 901-6410.

WRITE TO US. Mail may be sent to any individual Councilmember or all seven members of Council. Address correspondence to the recipient(s) at Westerville City Hall, 21 S. State St., Westerville, OH 43081.

Pictured in Photo (Left to Right) Mike Heyeck | John Bokros | Tim Davey | Diane Fosselman

Vice Mayor Craig Treneff | Kathy Cocuzzi | Larry Jenkins Chair

Mayor

Vice Chair

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Contact Us: Westerville City Council Message from the City Manager About Westerville Highlight Reel Financial Performance Income Tax Property Tax Programs Saving Public Dollars City Spending By Department Economic Development Community Affairs Major Projects

2 3 4-5 6-7 8-10 11 12-13 14 15 16 17 18-19

Planning & Development Administrative Services Parks & Recreation 50th Anniversary Parks & Recreation Westerville Division of Police Westerville Division of Fire Public Service Department Westerville Electric Division Westerville Water Division New Resident Information Stay Connected

20 21 22-23 24-25 26-27 28 29 30-32 33 34 35

A MESSAGE FROM THE CITY MANAGER DAVID A. COLLINSWORTH 2016 was an eventful year. We celebrated the 100-year anniversary and success of Westerville’s Council-Manager form of government and 50 years of Westerville Parks & Recreation. Did you know that Westerville hired its first staff director to manage only three parks in 1966? It’s hard to imagine that now as we’re living our vision to be a “City within a Park.” More than 40 parks, six facilities, an outdoor aquatic center, five wetlands/nature areas and 30 miles of paved recreational trails later, Westerville is nationally recognized for its excellence in parks and recreation.

We had great economic success last year, and the signs of development and vitality in Westerville are everywhere you look as we continue into 2017.

One of the most anticipated achievements of last year was the substantial completion of phase two of the South State St. Improvement Project. After months of construction, lane closures and traffic inconveniences, the pay-off has taken shape and is visible. We are now celebrating the project’s conclusion along Schrock Rd. with final paving, striping and landscaping.

Yet, roadway and infrastructure improvements ending in one area is the signal of work beginning in another area. As these new projects come online, we’re committed to introducing new and innovative communication strategies to keep residents informed of local and regional projects that may impact their route to work and home.

Residents will notice more information specific to construction work titled “GoWesterville.” GoWesterville is simply a communications campaign that will package all roadway, infrastructure and capital improvements and offer options for web mapping, information and fact sheets. Learn more about the next series of projects ahead for Westerville at www.westerville.org/construction.

Each City department and division takes seriously the opportunity to pursue and achieve accreditations, recognitions and ratings that deliver on our commitment to high-quality public services. The Westerville Public Service Department holds the American Public Works Association accreditation.

The Parks & Recreation Department is a repeat winner of the National Parks & Recreation Association gold medal. And, through the leadership of the Finance Department, the City maintains the Aaa bond rating, the best and highest rating available to municipal entities.

These facts are expressed in three words that are part of the City’s mission statement: delivering exemplary services. Westerville continues to seek out appropriate evaluations and validations that boost public services beyond what you see week in and out in trash removal, road construction, recreation programs or police cruisers.

I hope you find this report informative and useful, and please be sure to contact us if you have questions or concerns.

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ABOUT WESTERVILLE What’s the best way to get to know a community?

Ask its residents.

In 2016, the City launched its biennial resident survey. The City views this survey as our “report card” from the residents, as it rates our overall performance on program service and delivery. With a participation rate 9% higher than the two previous surveys (2012, 2014) and the highest total number of responses ever, residents were committed to having their voices heard. Here’s what you had to say: Residents continue to report high levels of overall satisfaction, with consistently high rankings for City programs and services. In fact, 88% of residents say they are satisfied or very satisfied with the overall quality of services provided by the City.

88%

Family-friendly, safe and friendly are the words most often selected when residents are asked to choose words to describe our community.

92%

92% of residents agree/strongly agree that Westerville offers a good mix of commercial, office and residential land-uses.

Eight out of 10 agree that Westerville does a good job of managing retail and business growth. new! ! new

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Two out of every three residents agreed the City should give tax incentives to employers bringing new business to Westerville.

Fiscal management and responsibility was ranked the most important issue for the City.

Public safety and emergency management was second and maintaining current safety levels was third.

Read the full survey report online at www.westerville.org/survey.

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CONNECT WITH US. WESTERVILLE CITY COUNCIL Email members of City Council online at www.westerville.org/council or contact Mary Johnston, Clerk of Council CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE David Collinsworth, City Manager Julie Colley, Assistant City Manager Jason Bechtold, Economic Development Christa Dickey, Community Affairs

Now under construction.

MAYOR’S COURT Marisa Akamine, Clerk of Court DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES Adam Maxwell, Director WESTERVILLE ELECTRIC DIVISION Chris Monacelli, Electric Utility Manager FINANCE DEPARTMENT Lee Ann Shortland, Director FIRE DIVISION Brian Miller, Fire Chief INFORMATION SYSTEMS Todd Jackson, Director

The City Hall Civic Green project will add a public park and performance space in the heart of Uptown Westerville.

This project is a continuation of the City Hall Landscape Improvements and Via project, which began in 2015 with the reconstruction of the City Hall parking lot. This is the second and final phase of the project. Learn more at www.westerville.org.

PARKS & RECREATION Randy Auler, Director PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT Karl Craven, Director POLICE DIVISION Joseph Morbitzer, Police Chief PUBLIC SERVICE DEPARTMENT Kevin Weaver, Director WESTERVILLE WATER DIVISION Richard Lorenz, Water Utility Manager LAW DEPARTMENT Bruce Bailey, City Attorney

Expected project completion: October 2017

Email any staff member listed here by first name.last name @westerville.org or visit www.westerville.org and select “Contact Us” at the top of the page.

MISSION

VALUES

The City of Westerville is dedicated to providing exemplary municipal services to our community and fostering prosperity while embracing our unique heritage and character.

The City’s core values are clearly defined to guide and inspire organizational performance. For City officials and personnel, these values are the principles of organizational life that constitute the foundation of our future forward path.

VISION

INNOVATION STEWARDSHIP EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INTEGRITY AND TRUST

Westerville will be a safe, friendly, vibrant, attractive and diverse community, where people and families live, learn, work and play, and where a small-town feel and quality of life is valued.

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EMPLOYEE ENRICHMENT

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HIGHLIGHT REEL The City of Westerville and its community partners annually deliver the State of the Community address in February. This year, Westerville City Schools, the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce, Westerville Public Library and Otterbein University highlighted a bright year of achievements in 2016.

WESTERVILLE CITY SCHOOLS • Westerville City School’s preschool program received a Five-Star Step Up To Quality Award from the state of Ohio. Programs participating in the state’s rating system can earn a one to five star rating, and WCS earned the highest rating possible.

• The All-Day Kindergarten option is now available district wide. Based upon the success of last year’s program, we now have at least one All-Day Kindergarten classroom in each of our traditional elementary schools. Due to the expansion, the tuition-based program now serves almost half of all kindergarten students enrolled in the district.

• Westerville City Schools is one of only 117 districts across the nation selected for the Lead Higher Initiative. Through this initiative, Westerville high schools now have access to additional resources and support to better meet the diverse academic needs of students. The end result is that Lead Higher helps close participation and success gaps among underrepresented student populations in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses.

WESTERVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE •The Chamber saw a 4.3% increase in membership and an 18.5% increase in participation by area businesses in 2016. Additionally, 38 networking events helped build productive and meaningful business relationships.

• The Chamber organized and hosted a panel of key players on the highly visible and traveled Polaris Parkway as well as one of the most highly attended Music & Arts Festivals to date.

• The Chamber helped welcome new businesses to the Westerville area, attending 21 official ribbon cuttings over the course of the year.

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WESTERVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY • Nearly a half-million people passed through the doors, creating an opportunity to circulate almost two million items.

• The Westerville Public Library was ranked by Library Journal as one of the finest public libraries in America.

Of more than 7,000 public libraries, only 85 across the nation received the same Five-Star rating. This ranking places the Westerville Public Library in the top 1% of the nation’s public libraries.

TOP 1%

• The Library was also ranked as one of the Best Employers in Ohio for 2016 for small and medium sized companies.

The Youth Services Department was selected for the third time as the 2016 Favorite Library Children’s Area by the readers of Columbus Parent in their Family Faves annual reader survey.

•Thanks to the support of the Westerville Library Foundation, children under age five living in the Westerville City School District can enroll in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Each child will receive a book a month by mail at no cost to them. Studies show these children will see an improvement in their literacy skills and be better prepared to succeed in school. As of late February, 1,686 children were already enrolled.

OTTERBEIN UNIVERSITY • Last fall, Otterbein University welcomed one of the largest and most diverse classes in recent years, with more students of color, more out of state students and more male students. The Class of 2020 came from near and far, with 22 Westerville City School graduates joining new students from 26 other states and 5 countries other than the United States.

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• Otterbein’s innovative, nationally recognized curriculum, coupled with its strong focus on student support and success, is delivering incredible outcomes for students, including a four-year graduation rate that is more than 20 percent higher than that of Ohio public universities.

• Otterbein moved up two places from last year to rank 11th among 171 peers in the Regional Universities–Midwest category in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2017 edition of “America’s Best Colleges.” Once again, Otterbein earned a spot in the list of “A+ Schools for B Students.” Otterbein also moved up two places to rank 11th in its category on the “Best Colleges for Veterans” list.

• For the fourth straight year, Otterbein made the decision to freeze undergraduate tuition. This program is serving our Westerville City School students in addition to a number of districts around the region.

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WESTERVILLE’S FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE May 2, 2017

WESTERVILLE EARNS Aaa CREDIT RATING FOR EIGHTH YEAR City Maintains Best Credit Ratings from Moody’s Investor Services, S&P Global The City of Westerville has earned the Aaa bond rating from Moody’s Investors Services and S&P Global Ratings for the eighth consecutive year. Aaa represents the highest achievable bond rating, reserved for organizations that meet highest quality, lowest credit risk criteria for investors.

Bonds with Aaa ratings are judged to be the best quality by all standards and comprise what are generally known as high investment-grade bonds. The amount of interest paid by the City is dependent on its credit rating, as well as the current prevailing interest rate. The Aaa rating designation provides access to the best interest rates available for debt issues.

Westerville City Manager David Collinsworth says the City’s eight-year Aaa rating continues our course of responsible fiscal management and optimizing public resources.

“Fiscal management and responsibility ranked first in the list of important issues for residents in our most recent community satisfaction survey, so we take seriously our performance indicators here,” said Collinsworth.

“Obtaining and maintaining the Aaa tells us these independent international rating agencies continue to see us as good financial stewards and managers and approve of our decision-making as well as the outlook of our long-term fiscal health.”

The City regularly utilizes its Aaa status to capitalize on refinancing opportunities on existing debt when savings can be captured in an improved interest rate environment.

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“The City estimates saving nearly $1 million in interest costs last year by refinancing more than $8 million in a general obligation advance, which includes multiple bond issues for various public projects,” said Collinsworth.

Noting the City is able to issue debt for major capital improvement projects at lower interest rates, Collinsworth said taxpayer dollars have been saved on public projects like road work, park development and utility infrastructure.

Both reports highlight Westerville’s strong financial management practices as part of the basis for the Aaa rating.

The Moody’s report also notes the City’s substantial tax base and healthy reserves.

“Westerville is among the few cities in the state of Ohio to have earned the Aaa at this level of continuity,” said Lee Ann Shortland, City of Westerville Director of Finance. “These ratings are industry statements that the City’s conservative fiscal management strategies are strong and sound. That’s peace of mind we take pride in offering our residents.”

The full reports from both agencies are available on the City of Westerville website at www.westerville.org/finance.

AUDITOR OF STATE PRESENTS OFFICE’S MOST PRESTIGIOUS AWARD The City of Westerville also received the Auditor of State’s Award with Distinction last October. This is the Auditor of State’s most prestigious award, given to select cities that meet quality and accuracy factors in financial recordkeeping. According to Yost’s office, less than five percent of municipalities and public agencies in the state qualify for this award. For more information, visit https://ohioauditor.gov/

Representative from Auditor Dave Yost’s office presents the Auditor of State’s Award with Distinction to Assistant Finance Director Gina Love (left) and Director of Finance Lee Ann Shortland (center) at the October 18, 2016 Westerville City Council meeting.

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FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE FUNDING CITY SERVICES: A FIVE-YEAR PLAN The City’s fiscal health remained strong in 2016, continuing into 2017. This is due to conservative spending policies and long-term planning to anticipate the impact of state and federal policy making as well as revenue and expenditure requirements in a five-year timespan.

Each year, Westerville City Council adopts a five-year financial plan, which officially acts as a one-year budget and a four-year financial projection. This process involves the entire City management team assessing revenue trends, operating needs, capital projects and major initiatives that form the City’s core priorities for spending.

That plan is premised on balancing the General Fund. The General Fund includes the City’s major general government revenue sources, expenditures and other financing sources and uses. Each year presents known and unknown challenges and evolving conditions with the City budget, including state legislation modifying or eliminating revenue sources (tangible personal property and estate tax) and a 50% reduction of Local Government Funds. Westerville adjusts spending to maintain its fiscal policy concerning adequate reserves.

Read our fiscal policy online at www.westerville.org/finance.

MAJOR REVENUE SOURCES (2016 General Fund) SOURCE

AMOUNT

PERCENT OF TOTAL

MUNICIPAL INCOME TAX

$31,334,393

75.38%

* PROPERTY TAXES

$3,445,932

8.29%

INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVENUES

$3,998,170

9.62%

CHARGES for SERVICES

$1,304,641

3.14%

FINES and FORFEITURES

$513,802

1.24%

INTEREST and FISCAL CHARGES

$562,978

1.35%

MISCELLANEOUS

$408,102

0.98%

GRAND TOTAL

$41,568,018

*Property taxes associated with Fire and EMS services are accounted for separately in the Fire Fund.

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MUNICIPAL INCOME TAX The collection of municipal income tax is the largest source of income for cities, accounting for more than 75% of revenue. Westerville collects income tax at a rate of 2.0%, which is very competitive with most other cities in Central Ohio (see chart). In Westerville, income tax consists of 1.75%, which goes to the General Fund, and 0.25% which goes to the dedicated Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces (PROS) Income Tax fund for the development and maintenance of parks and recreation facilities. This special funding was set to expire in 2020, but was renewed by Westerville voters for another 20-year term in 2014 (through 2040).

Since 2011, it has been the City’s policy to allocate between 20-25% of the General Fund income tax collections to the General Capital Improvement Fund. This fund’s major infrastructure projects and helps sustain a healthy economic environment. The largest single component of the Capital Improvement Plan is road improvements, which account for roughly $4 of every $5 expended. In the five-year financial plan, income tax revenue projections are based on various growth rates for each of the segments from which the City collects: individuals, employee withholding and businesses.

For more information, or to review the budget and/or Comprehensive Financial Annual Report in full detail, please visit www.westerville.org for easy links to documents (PDF format).

MUNICIPALITY OR VILLAGE OF RESIDENCE

BASE TAX TOTAL EFFECTIVE RATE CITY RATE IF WORKING OF RESIDENCE IN A 2% ENTITY*

CREDIT ALLOWANCE

EFFECTIVE DATES

DELAWARE

1.85%

2.95%

50% (max 0.925)

1999 1.40% 2009 0.15% 2011 0.30%

PICKERINGTON

1.00%

2.50%

50% (max 0.50)

1994

COLUMBUS

2.50%

2.50%

Up to 2.50

1983 2.00% 2009 0.50%

BEXLEY

2.50%

2.875%

65% (max 1.625)

1983 2.00% 2012 0.50%

GAHANNA

1.50%

2.25%

83.33% (max 1.25)

1972

DUBLIN

2.00%

2.00%

Up to 2.00

1986

CANAL WINCHESTER

2.00%

2.00%

Up to 2.00

1998

GROVE CITY

2.00%

2.00%

Up to 2.00

1984 2.00%

HILLIARD

2.00%

2.00%

Up to 2.00

1983

NEW ALBANY

2.00%

2.00%

Up to 2.00

2003

UPPER ARLINGTON

2.50%

2.50%

Up to 2.50

1983 2.00% 2015 0.50%

WESTERVILLE

2.00%

2.00%

Up to 2.00

1983 1.00% 1999 0.25% 2009 0.75%

WORTHINGTON

2.50%

2.50%

Up to 2.50

2004 2.00% 2010 0.50%

REYNOLDSBURG**

1.50%

2.00%

Up to 1.50

1982

*Assumes resident of community works in another Central Ohio community with a 2.00% income tax rate. **Will go to 2.5% effective 1/1/2018

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FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

PROPERTY TAXES Property taxes are those levied on real property and based on the assessed value of the property. In addition to municipal income tax, property tax is another revenue source for the City. These tax dollars are collected by Franklin and Delaware Counties and based on the estimated value of an individual’s property. Property tax dollars are then distributed by the counties to schools, municipalities, libraries and other qualifying entities.

In 2016, the City of Westerville received $15,143,527 in property tax disbursements from Franklin and Delaware counties. The largest portion of property tax dollars are deposited within the City’s Fire Fund.

The remaining portion is deposited into the General Fund and in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Funds for infrastructure initiatives.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

WESTERVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY $0.0215

WESTERVILLE CITY SCHOOLS $0.6394

FRANKLIN COUNTY $0.1964

CITY OF WESTERVILLE $0.1427

DELAWARE COUNTY

WESTERVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY $0.0246

WESTERVILLE CITY SCHOOLS $0.7314

CITY OF WESTERVILLE $0.1632

DELAWARE COUNTY $0.0708

2016 PROPERTY TAX

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As represented in the graphic, the vast majority of property taxes paid by residents of Westerville go to other political subdivisions such as the schools, the library or the County. The City receives no more than $0.14 or $0.16 of every property tax dollar paid by residents.

WHAT’S A “TIF ?”

On occasion, Westerville residents may hear or read about administration and Council considering a “TIF” as an economic development initiative. TIF stands for Tax Increment Financing. TIFs are economic development tools adopted and regulated by many states, including Ohio, to help finance public infrastructure projects through the creation of a special district. In nearly all cases, schools and other community partners in these districts continue to receive all existing property tax revenues they would normally receive.

NEW property tax dollars generated in a TIF from the INCREASE in the property valuation as a result of the new construction are collected and redirected in accordance with the local legislation establishing the district. These TIF revenues must be used for public infrastructure projects— such as road, utilities and multi-use trails— that benefit the area included in the TIF district.

In Westerville, TIF districts have been instrumental in advancing public infrastructure projects. Examples of projects completed using TIFs include: the improvements to S. State St., Worthington Road connector to Polaris Parkway, Westar Place road network and the pedestrian bridge over County Line Road.

PROPERTY TAX USE BY TYPE Additional funds for Fire and EMS are provided

by Blendon Township and EMS billing fees.

GENERAL OPERATING FUND $3,003,196 (20.79%)

GENERAL BOND RETIREMENT $185,903 (1.29%)

FIRE FUND $9,604,593 (66.50%)

TAX INCREMENT FINANCING (TIF) DISTRICT SERVICE PAYMENT $1,648,754 (11.42%)

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PROGRAMS SAVING PUBLIC DOLLARS The City of Westerville works both internally and externally to find opportunities and integrate practices to save public dollars. Strong fiscal management is key, while staff is charged with seeking grant funding, supplementing services with volunteers and initiating competitive measures for the same or similar services.

In 2016, some of the highlights in these collective endeavors included: BID

COMPETITIVE BIDDING

PURCHASING OPPORTUNITIES

$2.1 Million

$1.1 Million .

In 2016, nearly $2.1 million was saved through the City’s formal and informal competitive procurement efforts. This process requires bids and quotes from a number of service providers in order to determine the best price. Contracts and services are awarded to providers who meet the City’s “lowest and best” award criteria. Additionally, nearly $1.1 million in savings was achieved through the use of cooperative purchasing opportunities with other government entities.

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GRANTS AND DONATIONS

REIMBURSEMENTS

$16+ Million

$55,500+

Many City departments pursue both state and federal grants for projects small and large. The Planning and Development Department, for example, secured a grant worth more than $400,000 for erosion protection improvements to Spring Run within the Spring Grove subdivision, south of County Line Road. Because of the work seeking grant dollars, the upcoming Cleveland Ave. Improvement Project will be almost entirely funded by grants from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), the MidOhio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) and the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC). Other significant grant awards include the State and Schrock Phase II Improvement Project (OPWC grant [$2.28 million] and low interest loan [$6.2 million]) and the Sunbury Road Improvement Project (MORPC grant [$3.56 million]).

The City has a variety of programs to collect reimbursements for the utilization of public resources. The use of police cruisers is one example where costs are recovered when reserved for private events requiring special duty police coverage. In 2016, the Westerville Division of Police (WPD) was reimbursed $8,500 for the rental and utilization of cruisers required to close roads, direct traffic or otherwise cover a private special event. For their work with other public safety agencies on a variety of specialized, tactical task forces, WPD was reimbursed more than $47,000 last year.

INSURANCE

$1.4 Million Through an innovative selfinsurance plan in 2011 for workers compensation, the City has saved $1.4 million (to date). These savings reflect a commitment to seeking reliable, cost-saving options while providing essential services to employees.

CITY SPENDING BY FUNCTION 2016

City Council Law Administration Buildings & Grounds Maintenance Department of Public Service Mayor’s Court Administrative Services Emergency Communications Management Information Systems City Manager’s Office Finance-Admin/ Utilities/Tax

$273 $691 $827 $837 $901 $1,027 $1,931 $2,188 $2,326 $2,673 $2,243 $4,068

Street Maintenance & Repair Planning & Development

$9,773

Parks & Recreation

$13,212

Police

$14,268

Fire

General Government Enterprise Funds

$51,328

Electric Water

$7,730

Sewage

$7,719

Refuse Data Center

$2,046 $1,201

The chart above illustrates the cash-basis operating expenditures by department as of December 31, 2016 in the governmental funds. Graph represents expenditures in 000’s * The Fire Department provides service to Blendon Township, and the township reimburses the City through property taxes collected on the tax levy for Fire/EMS paid to Blendon by its residents.

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AL

CE

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

TOP 10 EMPLOYERS IN WESTERVILLE

CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE

Ideally Suited for Commerce & Growth Business boomed in Westerville in 2016, and economic development initiatives continue to thrive in 2017. The Division’s efforts in 2016 led to the creation of 362 jobs and the retention of 245. With an average annual salary of more than $80,000, Westerville’s economic development programs help generate about $979,000 in income tax revenue.

• One of our NEWEST CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS, Lancaster Colony (makers of Marzetti dressings and products) selected 380 Polaris Parkway for its headquarters consolidation and expansion. The company created/relocated 241 jobs, supporting $33 million in annual payroll.

• PUBLIC INVESTMENT of roughly $30 million dollars in the past eight years of the S. State St. Improvement Project has leveraged more than $50 million in private investment with more on the way, signaling business confidence in the City’s commitment to this vital corridor.

• THE MEDICAL MILE’S NEWEST NEIGHBOR —Mount Carmel HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital –completed construction in 2016 and opened its doors in March.

The facility will help patients who have experienced stroke, trauma, brain and orthopedic injuries and other serious illnesses or injuries. Meanwhile, the growth of Westar will help take care of the many friends, families and health care providers who will accompany those patients on their journey and into our community.

JP MORGAN CHASE BANK NA FINANCE 4,200 MOUNT CARMEL ST. ANN’S HEALTHCARE 1,800 WESTERVILLE CITY SCHOOLS EDUCATION 1,100 (est.)

ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS PROFESSIONAL 925 OTTERBEIN UNIVERSITY HIGHER ED 655 DHL SUPPLY CHAIN LOGISTICS 618 INVENTIV / GSW ADVERTISING 542 AFFINION GROUP PROFESSIONAL 465 NATIONWIDE INSURANCE PROFESSIONAL 435 CITY OF WESTERVILLE GOVERNMENT 430

Targeted Business Sectors Identifying targeted sectors as part of an overall economic development strategy provides a framework for focusing business recruitment, retention and expansion efforts. Five targeted business sectors were identified as priorities for Westerville after researching the market, job growth potential and geographic trend analysis.

CORPORATE & REGIONAL

HQ

HEADQUARTERS

Additionally, two aspirational targets were identified as opportunities for Westerville.

FINANCE AND INSURANCE These sectors show promise in next-generation workforce development, of which Westerville plans to be on the front line. Partnerships, such as the partnership with CORPORATE & REGIONAL ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENTS Otterbein University on The Point, the City’s commitment toHEALTHCARE foster innovation HQillustrate HEADQUARTERS & CONTROLS at the community level.

$

+

IMMEDIATE OPPORTUNITIES $

HQ HQ

$

+ 16

CORPORATE & REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS

$

+

FINANCE AND INSURANCE ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENTS HEALTHCARE & CONTROLS

TECHNICAL SUPPORT CENTERS ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENTS MEDICAL DEVICE MANUFACTURING & CONTROLS LOGISTICS SERVICES HEALTHCARE ASPIRATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FINANCE AND INSURANCE ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENTS MEDICAL DEVICE TECHNICAL SUPPORT MANUFACTURING &CENTERS CONTROLS HEALTHCARE FINANCE AND INSURANCE CORPORATE & REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS

+

LOGISTICS SERVICES

TECHNICAL SUPPORT CENTERS MEDICAL DEVICE MANUFACTURING LOGISTICS SERVICES

COMMUNITY AFFAIRS CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE

Getting Social The City launched a new look to its website in 2016, reorganizing and refreshing to make the user experience easier and information more accessible.

• Nearly all respondents to the 2016 RESIDENT SURVEY (94%) claimed to have visited the City website, although half visit rarely and most say they tend to come expressly for event information.

• The City also learned its own publications were most often selected as the MOST USEFUL source of information about City issues, replacing the community newspaper and tying with the City website.

• Most residents don’t know about the City’s MY WESTERVILLE APP. Only 20% reported being aware of it.

• We invite you to take another look at the CITY WEBSITE and download the My Westerville app to be among the first to get alerts and information, as well as have easy access to make service requests or quickly reach a staff member.

WEB www.westerville.org BLOG acitywithinapark.com FACEBOOK cityofwesterville YOUTUBE tellwesterville TWITTER @tellwesterville @WvilleElectric @WestervillePark @WestervillePD @WestervilleFire INSTAGRAM cityofwesterville

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MAJOR PROJECTS

2017

Each year, in addition to the five-year financial plan, the City publishes a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). This separate but complementary budgeting process focuses on major projects, like infrastructure improvements, recreational path system expansions, building requirements (roof replacements, HVAC, etc) or regional initiatives like roadway extensions.

Capital improvement planning may include projects related to major road work, park development or utility programs.

For more information on capital projects, please visit www.westerville.org/construction.

WESTERVILLE COMMUNITY CENTER EXPANSION PROJECT Project Funding: Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces (PROS) Fund; one quarter of one percent income tax dedicated to parks and recreation system approved by Westerville voters through 2040.

In March and April, a series of public engagement and planning meetings helped launch the Westerville Community Center Expansion Project. The big ideas and opportunities that came from residents and visitors were turned into conceptual drawings by architects and put on display in the rotunda at the Community Center.

The conceptual renderings took shape through a series of public meetings and focus groups where ideas and options were discussed, reviewed and advanced to the architectural team for design. The relocation and integration of the Westerville Senior Center within the one facility, the expansion of the fitness area and improvements to the indoor pool were popular interior concepts for the project. On the exterior list, residents saw value in a better incorporation of the wetlands, expansion of recreation opportunities around the building and improving the parking lot. Residents and passholders are encouraged to continue to offer feedback at the display site, attend meetings or provide feedback online at www.westerville.org/centerexpansion.

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CLEVELAND AVE ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS Project Funding: $15 million funded in state and federal grants.

This project, in conjunction with the City of Columbus, will provide capacity and safety improvements to Cleveland Avenue between the I-270 interchange and St Ann’s / Sharon Woods Park entrance. Additional northbound and southbound lanes will be provided along Cleveland Ave; an additional eastbound lane on Schrock Rd will provide dual right turn lanes at Cleveland Ave. Part of the interchange at I-270 will be reconfigured to improve onramp safety. Sidewalks and bike paths will be installed to provide connections to Sharon Woods Park and St Ann’s Mt Carmel Medical Facilities. New street lights and utility improvements will be completed as needed. Traffic will be maintained during construction expected to run about 16 months.

SUNBURY ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT Project Funding: $6.2 million federal grant; the remaining 20% is being split 50/50 between Westerville and Delaware County.

The City of Westerville and the Delaware County Engineer’s Office are collaborating on this project to improve safety and reduce congestion along Sunbury Road. This effort is taking place in conjunction with the Smothers Road bridge construction project being supervised and funded by the Franklin County Engineer’s Office. The Sunbury Road project adds a center turn lane and additional northbound lane from County Line. The project will also facilitate the installation of a new storm sewer system, curb and gutter, street lighting and a west side sidewalk. A recreational path that connects to Westerville’s 30mile trail system will be added to the east side of Sunbury Rd. This project is expected to be complete in the fall of 2017.

19

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT The Planning and Development Department is responsible for the development of the City’s physical environment. Building, Engineering, Code Enforcement and Planning & Zoning divisions make up the department, which houses the team of engineers, planners, project managers, technicians and maintenance professionals who help design, build and maintain the City. The department works directly with residents and volunteers on the Westerville Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals and Uptown Review Board.

BUILDING DIVISION 2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

RESIDENTIAL PERMITS

984

1057

1003

1529

1562

COMMERCIAL PERMITS

670

724

900

950

883

TOTAL INSP

5988

5190

4522

4786

6975

RESIDENTIAL VALUE (million)

$11

$6

$7

$9

$42

COMMERCIAL VALUE (million)

$57

$44

$54

$68

$222

2016 RESIDENTIAL PERMITS BY TYPE # OF PERMITS CONSTRUCTION ISSUED COSTS

RESIDENTIAL WORK

ENGINEERING DIVISION # OF INSPECTIONS

POOLS/HOT TUBS

6

99,500

9

ADDITIONS/ALTERATIONS AND RENOVATIONS

103

2,954,974

327

DECKS

37

306,131

113

GARAGES

3

86,575

7

SCREEN PORCHES

5

91,287

13

UTILITY (ie. solar panels, generators, etc.)

5

84,554

11

AC/FURNACES/WATER UNITS

598

CODE ENFORCEMENT DIVISION

1,993,020

573

633

VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE

97%

CASES

HISTORICAL BUILDINGS

40

20

INSPECTED

ROADWAYS

4.7

SIDEWALKS

13,029

MILES REPAIRED

LINEAR FEET BUILT / REPAIRED

NEW ROADWAYS

TRAILS

1.9

MILES BUILT

2.3

MILES of MULTIUSE TRAILS BUILT

PLANNING & ZONING DIVISION

CASES CODE VIOLATION

PUBLIC PROJECTS

APPLICATIONS PLANNING COMMISION

45

BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

19

UPTOWN REVIEW BOARD

41

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES The Department of Administrative Services provides assistance to residents and works closely with every City department to maximize efficiencies on a citywide scale. Department functions include human resources, labor relations and negotiations, benefits administration, property and casualty insurance and risk management, wage and salary administration, employee safety, procurement, building and grounds maintenance, and records management in conjunction with the Clerk of Council.

PROCUREMENT Overall, the City has saved more than $12 million over the past four years through its commitment to fostering fair and open competition. At the department level, staff members have embraced a culture of efficiently letting contacts, increasing the frequency of seeking competition by more than 50 percent since 2012.

WORK FOR THE CITY Full-time and part-time positions are posted online on the City website at www.westerville.org/jobs. Did you know the City staff nearly doubles in size during the summer months with seasonal employees who work at the pools, summer camps, parks maintenance and public service? It takes more than 800 people to keep the City running when special programs and activities are in place during the “in-season.� See vacancies any time of the year online or contact Human Resources at (614) 901-6400.

21

PARKS & RECREATION The Parks & Recreation Department celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016! In the five decade trek to becoming a nationally renowned City within a Park, the department has hit major milestones that you know and recognize in some form today.

1960’s 66: Parks and Recreation is growing quickly; the first Westerville Parks and Recreation Director is hired.

68: Three Westerville parks are available: Alum Creek Park, Walnut Ridge and Boyer Park (now Boyer Nature Preserve). The Kiwanis train is built at Alum Creek Park.

69: The summer program recreation guide advertises programs such as golf, horseback riding, tennis and softball tournaments.

1970’s 73: Three new parks are in development: Highlands Park, Huber Village Park and Towers Park.

99: Everal Barn is moved to its current location and refurbished with assistance of PROS 2000 and a NatureWorks grant through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

2000’s 01: Westerville Parks & Recreation wins its SECOND national gold medal from NRPA. The Westerville Community Center and Westerville Sports Complex are dedicated.

05: Westerville Parks and Recreation receives national accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). Brooksedge Bark Park is dedicated

74: Westerville Parks and Recreation wins its first National Gold Medal Award for excellence in parks and recreation management from the National Recreation and Parks Association.

07: Westerville Parks and Recreation wins its THIRD national gold medal from NRPA.

76: The Arbor Day Foundation recognizes the City of Westerville as a Tree City USA community.

2010’s

80: Paul S. Metzger Park opens.

10: Millstone Creek Park and Nature Play Area is dedicated, featuring the area’s first allinclusive playground. First Responder’s Park is dedicated, featuring a piece of steel (C-40) from the fallen north tower of the World Trade Center.

82: The Westerville Senior Center opens at its current location (310 W. Main St).

11: Highlands Park Aquatic Center (HPAC) is built and dedicated

85: Snowflake Castle makes its debut at the Westerville Senior Center.

13: Westerville Parks and Recreation wins its FOURTH national gold medal from NRPA, with the distinction of three consecutive wins.

1990’s

16: Westerville receives the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA award for the 40th consecutive year.

1980’s

96: Hoff Woods Park is dedicated.

97: The Westerville Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces (PROS) 2000 strategic plan is adopted, dedicating a one quarter of one percent income tax revenue to further develop the parks system.

22

A YEAR TO CELEBRATE.

23

PARKS & RECREATION A YEAR TO REMEMBER The year was unlike any other in terms of the department’s performance, memorable experiences for residents and visitors and new programs and services.

2016: 91.8% program satisfaction rating and 93.6% program recommendation rating. $1,170 in scholarship funds granted by the Westerville Parks Foundation.

Highlands Park Aquatic Center surpassed its total attendance record with 132,100+ visitors compared to 115,473 in 2015.

More than 1,600 street trees were pruned; 530 trees were planted in 2016.

The Senior Transportation Program assisted more than 400 older adults make doctor’s appointments, grocery shopping, trips to and from the Senior Center and Community Center for recreational activities.

Received $30,000 (of $100,000 pledge) from WASA (Westerville Amateur Soccer Association).

Received 32 lifejackets through the Association of Aquatic Professionals Grant Application.

24

MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES More than 800,000 individuals used a Westerville parks and recreation service in 2016.

The 2016 Civic Theater Production featuring Disney’s The Little Mermaid sold out a total of 5 shows with over 2,100 in attendance (added 5th show sold out in 24 hours). The Production received 8 out of 15 Broadway Awards for the Columbus Market including Best Chorography, Best Costume Design, Best Direction of a Musical, Best Lighting Design, Best Musical, Best Musical Director, Best Scenic Design, and Best Sound Design.

The Miracle on 34th Street Production won two out of 15 awards including Best Direction of a Play and Best Actor in a Play.

More than 2,300 campers attended the Westerville Parks and Recreation Summer Camp program.

An improved trail signage was completed and installed on the Westerville Bike & Walkway Trail system.

In 2016, The City of Westerville hosted the Senior Olympic Games with 19 different sporting events and over 1,300 athletes attending the games representing 34 states as well as Canada (2nd highest in Ohio Senior Olympic history). The Senior Olympic Games placed 1st in the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association Awards of Excellence in the Sport Category.

The annual community event Snowflake Castle received more than 3,500 visitors, including 1,749 children visiting Santa’s workshop to make a toy and take a picture with Santa.

INNOVATIVE PROGRAM AND SERVICE DELIVERY New play equipment was installed at Alum Creek Park North, featuring a spider like climbing structure for kids of all ages to enjoy.

More than 12 acres of new parkland was acquired (480 S. Hempstead, Bigham Ridge, and 240 Sunbury Road) for future programming (green space, historic preservation and more).

Catered beer and wine sales were implemented at the Everal Barn and Homestead with rental events. The cost recovery for the Everal Barn in 2016 was over 100% (up 33% from 2015).

25

EMERGENCY

PUBLIC SAFETY

9-1-1

NON-EMERGENCY (614) 882-7444

POLICE The mission of the Westerville Division of Police is to serve and protect the public. We are dedicated to responding to the needs of the citizens, preventing crimes and continually evolving to maintain the highest standards of service.

ACTIVE SHOOTER PLAN OF ACTION TRAINING

In 2016, the Westerville Division of Police conducted a series of public safety trainings to review active shooting incidents and educate participants on tactics to consider in such a scenario. With active shooter incidents occurring in the nation and around the globe, the course is designed to inform, prepare and empower people with law enforcement-endorsed options that increase situational awareness and personal safety. WPD educators discuss the evolution of mass shootings as a criminal behavior, including analysis and a lessons-learned approach to the tragedies at Columbine High School, Virginia Tech and Sandy Hook Elementary. They explain active shooter trends and how to develop a plan of action based on research, statistics and best practices.

“Sadly, mass shootings have become a part of the world we live in,” says Joseph Morbitzer, Westerville Police Chief.

“This training was developed not to provoke fear, but to prepare a person to think about what to do and how to react if ever in this unthinkable position. Knowledge is power, so our experts designed this course to provide tools that will help you think through a plan of action whether at work or another public place.”

Classes are scheduled on a regular basis. To register for the next class, visit www.westerville.org/training. Please note class size is limited to the first 100 people age 18 or older (or 14 or older with parent or guardian). The class is free for all attendees, but registration is required.

July 18, 2017 6:30 p.m.

Westerville City Hall Council Chambers

LETHALITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (LAP) ASSESEMENTS

FATAL CRASH

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CALLS

UP FROM 0 in 2015

19

ADULT

1

JUVENILE

249

1164 ARRESTS

ARRESTS

The Lethality Assessment Program is a law enforcement strategy to prevent domestic violence homicides and serious injuries. All WPD officers receive LAP intervention training. www.lethalityassessmentprogram.org.

COMMON CALLS FOR SERVICE !

ALERT!

26

BURGLARY ALARM

NON-INJURY AUTO

SUSPICIOUS PERSON

!!

TRAFFIC COMPLAINTS

(2016 DATA AS CLASSIFIED BY DISPATCH)

$

THEFT

!!

??

!

DISTURBANCE

?

TRAFFIC STOPS

SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE

30,000 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5000

CALLS FOR SERVICE / INCIDENT ACTIVITY 0

COMMUNITY SERVICES BUREAU

16,553

20,000 20,000

17,057

19,945

14,285

17,498

2011 2011

COMMUNITY SERVICE

13,931

0 0

13,755

5,000 5000

14,289

10,000 10,000

18,602

1 5,000 15,000

2013 2013

2014 2014

2015 2015

2016 2016

14,997

PUBLIC EDUCATION ACTIVE SHOOTER PLAN OF ACTION TRAINING RAISING AWARENESS: HEROIN IN OUR COMMUNITY

20,157

25,000 25,000

15,791

WESTERVILLE CITY SCHOOLS RESOURCE PROGRAMMING SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS D.A.R.E. - DRUG EDUCATION PROGRAM SAFETY CITY

2011 2012 2014 2015 The Westerville Division of 2013 Police responded to more2016 than for Service 34,000 calls for service Calls in 2016.

Approximately 41% of the calls were officer-initiated. The remaining data represents service calls from other sources.

2012 2012

Officer Initiated

Calls for Service

Calls for Service

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT Tues, August 1, 2017

PATH WATCH NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH / NEXTDOOR

CORE VALUES

I NTEGRITY COMMITMENT ACCOUNTABILITY RESPECT EMPATHY

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT YOUTH POLICE ACADEMY Mon, July 10 - Sat, July 15, 2017

WESTERVILLE POLICE EXPLORER POST 29 SPECIAL EVENTS and PROGRAMS COPS and KIDS DAY Sun, September 10, 2017

CHIEF FOR A DAY SERVING OUR SENIORS DAY CITIZEN’S POLICE ACADEMY MARIA’S MESSAGE

INCIDENTS and RESPONSE A total of 3,359 offenses were reported in 2016. For reporting purposes, these crimes are divided into two groups: Part I offenses and Part II offenses. Part I offenses are considered serious while Part II offenses are less severe.

PUBLIC SAFETY PROJECT LIFESAVER SELF DEFENSE FOR WOMEN

3,359

2,971

3569

3323

3195

3467

3548

Part II Offenses: There were 2,360 Part II offenses reported in 2016; an 8% increase from 2,188 Part II offenses reported in 2015.

4,000 40,000 3,500 35,000 3,000 30,000

3,569

2,971

3,359

1,000 10,000

3,323

1,500 15,000

3,195

2,000 20,000

3,467

2,500 25,000

3,548

PUBLIC SERVICE/ COMMUNITY EVENTS FILL A CRUISER ADOPT A CRUISER COPS WITH KIDS SPECIAL OLYMPICS POLAR BEAR PLUNGE

Part I Offenses: There were 999 Part I offenses reported in 2016; a 28% increase from 783 Part I offenses reported in 2015.

2011 2011

2012 2012

2013 2013

2014 2014

2015 2015

2016 2016

5000 500 0 0

!

2010 2010

Total Criminal Offenses

VEHICLES and VALUABLES! Westerville, remember to lock your vehicles and keep valuables out of sight! This graphs shows a 13% increase overall largely due to an increase in thefts from vehicles (119 to 205 + 72%).

27

PUBLIC SAFETY WESTERVILLE DIVISION OF FIRE

Outreach to the Community

The Westerville Division of Fire seeks to reduce fire risk in the community through educational outreach. The Division conducts fire prevention programs in 90% of all preschool, kindergarten, first and third grade classes in the City. In 2016, more than 6,000 residents attended fire prevention education programs for children.

The Division also conducts training for adult residents. In 2016, Westerville’s fire prevention experts conducted 80 adult education programs and helped more than 3,750 people through business fire drills. Additionally, WFD conducted more than 1,600 inspections throughout the City.

New Wheels

In September 2016, the Westerville Division of Fire introduced the newest addition to their fleet: Engine 112. The truck is a 2016 Sutphen Monarch cab with a 750-gallon tank and powerful pump with Class-A foam for fire suppression.

Medic 112 was replaced with a 2017 Braun on a 2017 Chevy van chassis.

It is an advanced patient stabilization and transport unit carrying airway equipment, cardiac and trauma drugs, a cardiac monitor/defibrillator and various equipment essential to stabilizing a patient’s neck and spine following an automobile accident or fall.

Both Engine and Medic 112 reside at Station 112, located at 727 E. Schrock Rd. Squad 113 was replaced with a 2017 Braun Ambulance on a 2017 Chevy van chassis. It is a basic patient stabilization and transport unit carrying bandages, splints, an automated external defibrillator and various equipment essential to stabilizing a patient’s neck and spine following an automobile accident or fall. Squad 113 resides at Station 113, located at 355 N. Spring Rd. You’ll see these new vehicles in service this summer and at 4th Fridays when available. Stop by, say hello and take a closer look.

4:14 minutes

2016 FIRE STATS

3,701

EMS RUNS

RESPONSE TIMES

FIRE INVESTIGATIONS

5,533

OTHER EMERGENCY RUNS

7

28

Musculoskeletal General Illness Pain

Difficulty Breathing

Chest Pain

Abdominal Pain

PUBLIC SERVICE Due to a mild winter, costs for roadway treatment were significantly in our favor last year. We have purchased 550 tons of salt* for the upcoming (2017) winter season and do not plan to purchase anymore treatment materials. The City’s salt shed is comfortably stocked.

*The City met all required contractual purchases of salt based on state procurement processes.

ROAD WARRIORS (2016 CALENDAR YEAR) Westerville’s road warriors treat 153 centerline miles of roadway in Westerville each year.

2016-2017 $122,000 2015-2016 $183,000 2014-2015 $665,000 2013-2014 $605,000

10,412

miles salted or brined

SNOW REMOVAL EXPENSES

3,750

miles plowed 2016 LEAF COLLECTION PROGRAM

5,709 CUBIC YARDS

cubic yards of leaves collected

2016 MOSQUITO CONTROL PROGRAM

The City of Westerville contracts mosquito control services through Franklin County Public Health and their vendor, VDCI, which treated 770,000 square feet of water with larvicide to prevent mosquitoes.

They also treated 191 catch basins with larvicide. Adulticide was sprayed 14 times within individual quadrants of the City between April and September. For more information, visit www.westerville.org or www.myfcph.org.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION

In 2016, the Public Service Department hosted its first-ever spring Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) event in May. Between that event and the usual HHW collection in September, a total of 28.5-plus tons of material from more than 1,200 vehicles was taken.

PAINT

29

UTILITIES The City of Westerville is among the few municipalities in Central Ohio to own and maintain its own utilities, including water and electric service. Doing so allows the City to provide both technical and service support to the residents and businesses we serve, as well as maintain quality and cost control that historically has been among the most competitive in the region.

ELECTRIC Westerville offers among the most reliable and cost effective power service in Central Ohio. Since 1898, the Westerville Electric Division has offered low-cost, reliable power, along with a variety of programs and services focused on energy conservation, community engagement and customer service.

WED is a Reliable Power Public Provider (RP3), a designation from the American Public Power Association (APPA) for providing consumers with the highest degree of reliable and safe electric service.

Westerville is one of 219 of the nation’s more than 2,000 public power utilities to earn the RP3 recognition.

Customer service is available 24/7/365 to report power outages, downed power lines/trees or other issues requiring attention from the Westerville Electric Division.

Call (614) 901-6700.

ELECTRIC STATISTICS AVG. RESIDENTIAL RATE $127 STREET LIGHTS 4,230 UTILITY POLES 3,149 ELECTRICITY SALES $51,174,833 PEAK DEMAND 105.361 MW (set 7/25/16) ELECTRIC SYSTEM VALUE $85.2 M (as of Dec 31, 2015) KILOWATT-HOURS SOLD 472,231,214 kWh TRANSFORMERS IN USE 8,140 transformers MILES OF ELECTRIC LINES 294 MILES OVERHEAD PRIMARY CONDUCTOR 90.7 MILES UNDERGROUND PRIMARY CONDUCTOR 190.18 MILES OH TRANSMISSION 99.3 MILES UG TRANSMISSION 194.7 MILES

PROGRAM INNOVATION The Division continues its work transitioning analog electric meters to advanced meters through the advanced metering initiative. As of December 31, 2016, 10,003 AMI meters have been installed, which is about 58.5 percent of the program. Completion of the roll-out of this program is scheduled for 2018.To learn more, please visit www.westerville.org/AMI 30

RELIABILITY OF POWER: WESTERVILLE ELECTRIC DIVISION The Westerville Electric Division has a reputation for reliability.

Statistics in 2016 demonstrate that Westerville power customers experienced minimal disruptions, with short outage/interruption times throughout the year. There were no major events in 2016 causing major disruptions of service.

CUSTOMER AVERAGE INTERRUPTION DURATION 60.5 minutes

2016 MINUTES OUTAGE Excluding Major Events

AVERAGE ELECTRIC BILLBILL (MONTH) AVERAGE ELECTRIC (MONTH) GAS-HEATED HOME Heated Home Typical Non-Electric

(WITH AVERAGE APPROXIMATELY 1,100 PER MONTH USAGE) $180 $160 $140

$143 $130

$127

$120 $100 $80 $60 $40 $20 $0 Westerville Average Bill (2017) Westerville Average Bill (2016) AEP Average Monthly Bill

MONTHLY AVERAGE CUSTOMER BILL (ESTIMATED, MAY 2017) WATER $24.35 (6ccf) SEWER $44.18 (6ccf) ELECTRIC $118.86 (1,000 Kwh) REFUSE $17.75

Westerville Rate: Residential AEP Rate: RR Bundled

2016 WATER PUMPING DATA TOTAL 1,035,960,00 GALLONS AVERAGE DAY 2,857,000 GALLONS MAXIMUM DAY 4,996,000 GALLONS GALLONS PER CAPITA PER DAY 84.2

31

UTILITIES WESTERVILLE LINEWORKERS BRING HOME AWARDS

The lineworkers of the Westerville Electric Division hone their craft by competing in annual regional and national Lineworker Rodeo competitions. Congratulations to the WED Lineworkers for an award-winning year in 2016.

The Journeyman Team of Todd Head, Cody Leitner, Chris Revennaugh and Jeremy Savage were rewarded for their hard work with several first-place wins at both the APPA National Public Power Lineworkers Rodeo (April 1-2, 2016 in Minneapolis, MN) and the AMP Lineworkers Rodeo (August 26-27, 2016 in Columbus), while individual awards were received by Michael Roark and Andrew Converse.

Electric utility customers may now report electrical outages via text message. Customers are encouraged to register for this service by visiting www.westerville.org/outage and selecting “Click Here for Outage Texting.”

Standard texting rates apply.

REFRIGERATOR RECYCLING PROGRAM

Ready to pocket a fast $50 without breaking a sweat? Let us recycle that old extra fridge in your garage or basement. We’ll pick it up for free, you’ll pick up $50, and save as much as $150 a year in utility costs.

For a FREE pickup, call 1-866-899-9862 or visit www.westerville.org/takemyfridge.

32

WATER On May 26, 2016 the ribbon cutting for the newly upgraded Water Treatment Plant took place with Westerville City Council and administration officially dedicating the new building and treatment facility. The $12 million facility upgrade project started in 2013, when new federal regulations and the community’s growth indicated the requirements for the facility. The new plant now has a second filtration process to the existing treatment regimen, adding granular activated carbon (or GAC), to the water quality delivered to Westerville residents and businesses.

PHOTO (l-r Councilmember Tim Davey, Diane Fosselman, Council Chairman Craig Treneff, Water Utility Manager Dick Lorenz, City Manager David Collinsworth and Vice Mayor John Bokros. Not pictured: Vice Chairman Larry Jenkins, Mayor Kathy Cocuzzi, Councilmember Mike Heyeck and Assistant City Manager Julie Colley.)

DID YOU KNOW? The Westerville Water Treatment Plant pumps about one BILLION gallons of water each year? The daily average is nearly 2.9 million gallons. That’s a lot of water, and each one of us is impacted, because we each use about 84 of those gallons a day. Tours of the facility can be arranged. Call (614) 901-6770 for more information.

AVERAGE RESIDENTIAL WATER BILL (MONTH) HUBER RIDGE HILLARD* GAHANNA* UPPER ARLINGTON

GROVE CITY* DUBLIN* REYNOLDSBURG* DELAWARE (COUNTY)

7 ccf Res. Avg.

WORTHINGTON* NEW ALBANY* DELAWARE (CITY)

COLUMBUS* PICKERINGTON WESTERVILLE

$0

$10

$20

*City of Columbus water with applicable surcharges. ccf = centum cubic feet, or one hundred cubic feet of water

$30

$40

$50

$60

33

THE BASICS FOR NEW RESIDENTS INCOME TAX The Westerville Income Tax Division collects, audits and enforces the City of Westerville’s two (2.00) percent municipal income tax. The Income Tax office, located at 64 E. Walnut Street, is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., with walk-in assistance available from 8 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. Call (614) 901-6420 with any filing or reporting questions.

HOW TO REGISTER A UTILITY BILLING ACCOUNT Contact Utility Billing staff at (614) 9016430, or visit the offices at 64 E. Walnut Street, 2-3 business days before the date you wish to initiate service. On your service initiation date, a meter reader will obtain the readings from which your billing history will start. Please have the following information available when establishing utility services: Address where utilities will be provided.

Account holder name and billing address.

Social Security or Tax ID number.

Phone number.

E-mail address.

Name of landlord or owner, (if applicable.)

Start date for utility services.

Electronic billing and bank drafting options are available at www.westerville.org/utilitybilling.

HTD HOW TO DO.

34

REFUSE & RECYCLING COLLECTION Trash and recycling collection is contracted by the City to Rumpke Waste Management. Yard waste is collected each week on Mondays. Trash and recycling collection is Tuesday, except for weeks with a Monday or Tuesday holiday (then collected on Wednesday).

Containers may be placed at the curb no earlier than 6 p.m. the day before collection. Report problems to the Public Service Department at (614) 901-6740.

SUBMIT SERVICE REQUESTS There are a number of ways to submit service requests (via phone, website, office), but the most convenient may be the City of Westerville mobile app, “My Westerville.” Download the app on Google Play or the Apple App Store and click “Submit a Service Request” to get started.

Users can submit a photo and drop a pin on a map to the precise location to help staff initiate a speedy resolution.

REGISTER FOR PARKS & RECREATION New residents simply need to show proof of residency (your new utility bill statement works) at the front desk of the Westerville Community Center to register for programs at the discounted resident rate. Residents also receive discounts on passes to the Community Center and Highlands Park Aquatic Center.

DO IT ALL

Westerville Citizen’s Academy

The ultimate resident experience is an eight-week course that runs from late April to June (once a week, Thursday nights): the Westerville Citizen’s Academy. This once-ayear session runs each spring and takes a class of residents behind the scenes of each department to get hands-on and interactive with all City functions, services and programs.

Learn more or sign up online at www.westerville.org/WCA.

TOP 10 REASONS TO STAY CONNECTED SUBMIT A SERVICE REQUEST Did you know you can submit a service request from your phone?

You can even take a picture and pinpoint a location on the map to tell staff exactly where to go to find and resolve the issue.

EVENTS CALENDAR

Survey says event information is the number one reason residents go online. The City website will let you add the events you’re interested in to your Outlook/iCalendar, Google or Yahoo calendar in one click!

COMING SOON: TEXT MESSAGING! ON THE

ALER

Residents may sign up online for non-emergency text messages, like road closures, leaf collection, snow removal, parade routes, holiday reminders, etc. It’s easy to sign up! https://westerville.onthealert.com

UTILITY BILLS

Electronic account services will be introduced later this year, offering online bill pay and a variety of other new features.

PARKS & RECREATION REGISTRATION

With more than 2,500 programs offered annually by the Westerville Parks & Recreation Department, we keep online registration quick and easy for quarterly registration.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

We’re working to make construction updates and schedules more accessible and better organized. “GoWesterville” will introduce new fact sheets, graphics/illustrations and scheduling information that will help you plan your routes during construction season.

PUBLIC MEETINGS

Did you know the City films and broadcasts Westerville City School Board of Education meetings as well as Westerville City Council meetings? Check the website for the broadcast schedule.

PERMITS AND FORMS

Need to build a fence? Replace a water heater? Want to host a race or a neighborhood block party? There’s one-click access from the front page of the site to all the forms you need.

CONTACT CITY COUNCIL

Want to contact your local elected leaders? There’s a simple web form you can use to send your message to all seven members of Council as well as administrative staff. Visit www.westerville.org/council to get started.

FOLLOW, LIKE AND SHARE

Show your Westerville pride by “liking” the City Government of Westerville, Ohio (Facebook’s official name for us) page. This is where we’ll play our newest videos and post some of our best photos.

Also, check us out on Twitter (@tellwesterville) and our other City accounts: @WvilleElectric, @WestervillePD, @WestervilleFire and @WestervillePark.

35

“Sportstown Ohio”- City of Westerville National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) Sports Illustrated 2003

“Best Places to Live in America” City of Westerville - Money Magazine 2007, 2009

“Tree City USA Community” City of Westerville – Arbor Day Foundation 1974-2017

“Bicycle Friendly Community” City of Westerville - League of American Bicyclists 2012

“America’s Friendliest Towns” (#5) City of Westerville - Forbes Magazine – 2012

Gold Award 2006-2011 City of Westerville - Ohio Department of Health

Healthy Ohioans Healthy Community Platinum Award 2012-2014

National Gold Medal Winner, Parks & Recreation Department National Recreation & Parks Association (1974, 2001, 2007, 2013)

“#1 Suburb in America” City of Westerville - Movoto Real Estate 2013

“America’s Happiest Cities” (#7) City of Westerville - Movoto Real Estate 2014

“Best City for Ohio Families” (#13) City of Westerville - Wallethub.com 2016

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

21 S. State St Westerville, Ohio 43081