Westerville Council Honors Hayek, Approves Tax Drawdowns in First Meeting of 2026

WESTERVILLE, Ohio — The Westerville City Council opened its 2026 calendar with a largely ceremonial meeting Monday night, honoring outgoing councilmember Michael Hayek for four decades of public service and approving routine financial measures to support city liquidity.

Council voted 7-0-1 to adopt Resolution 2026-01, commending Hayek for more than 32 years as an elected council member and multiple terms as council chairman and mayor. The resolution noted his role in advancing economic development, guiding roadway improvements and championing parks and trails under the “city within a park” vision he coined in 2002. Council presented Hayek with a historic key to the city.

“I just want to say thank you to my colleagues for giving me this opportunity to serve in this role,” said Mayor Grimes, who assumed the gavel for the first time.

The meeting, held at the Justice Center, saw all seven council members present. New members Ms. Stalker and Ms. Beckett were welcomed to the dais.

Council unanimously approved two resolutions authorizing drawdowns of property tax funds held by Franklin County and Delaware County to support city operations and liquidity. Resolution 2026-02 and Resolution 2026-03 each passed 7-0.

In other business, council heard the first reading of Ordinance 2026-01, which would amend sanitary sewer capacity charges to pass through increased fees from the city of Columbus. City officials said Columbus had not raised its portion of the fees in about 30 years. Westerville’s portion of the charge remains unchanged. No vote was taken.

Council also approved a motion to authorize the city manager to purchase firefighting turnout gear for fiscal year 2026 from Phoenix Safety Outfitters LLC through a cooperative agreement with neighboring jurisdictions. The motion passed 7-0.

Vice Mayor Stalker delivered remarks emphasizing the council’s tradition of collegiality, noting Westerville’s history of adopting a council-manager form of government more than a century ago to move past political dysfunction.

“That change wasn’t just about efficiency,” Stalker said. “It created a culture of collegiality on this council that has lasted over a century.”

Council adjourned after about 30 minutes. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 13 at 7 p.m.

Key moments

Significant Part 1 · 9:48

Michael Hayek honored with key to the city

This is a key to the city and as I was told this was actually found during the move of City Halls, this is actually a one of a kind we don't know where it came from or how old it is but it might be as old as you.

Significant Part 1 · 24:16

Vice Mayor Stalker's inaugural remarks

Westerville voters made their own declaration for a better way. They decisively chose to adopt a council manager form of government to eradicate the political dysfunction of that era, becoming the first village in Ohio to do so.

Full analysis

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Meeting Analysis

City of Westerville — 2026-01-06

Meeting Information

Title: Regular Meeting — 2026-01-06

Parish: City of Westerville

Date: 2026-01-06

Video: Recording

Transcript segments: 420

Item	Description	Action	Vote Status
Resolution 2026-01: Honoring Michael Hayek	Resolution to honor and commend Michael Hayek for four decades of public service, including 32 years on city council and multiple terms as council chairman and mayor.	Adopted unanimously with a key to the city presented.	7-0-1 (one abstention)
Resolution 2026-02: Franklin County Tax Drawdown	Request to draw down property tax funds held by Franklin County to support city operations and liquidity.	Approved unanimously.	7-0
Resolution 2026-03: Delaware County Tax Drawdown	Same as Resolution 2026-02 but for Delaware County funds.	Approved unanimously.	7-0
Ordinance 2026-01: Sanitary Sewer Capacity Charges	First reading of ordinance to amend sanitary sewer capacity charges to pass through increased fees from Columbus, which had not raised fees in about 30 years. Only the Columbus portion is increased; Westerville's portion remains unchanged.	First reading completed; no vote taken.	First reading only
Motion: Purchase Firefighting Turnout Gear	Motion to authorize city manager to purchase firefighting turnout gear for FY2026 from Phoenix Safety Outfitters LLC through a cooperative agreement with neighboring jurisdictions.	Approved unanimously.	7-0

Property tax drawdowns from Franklin and Delaware counties to support city operations and liquidity.
Sanitary sewer capacity charges increased due to Columbus fee hike; Westerville's portion unchanged.
Purchase of firefighting turnout gear for FY2026.

Public Concerns: none noted.

Contentious Discussions: none noted.

No department reports noted.

City staff to conduct a cost of services study in 2026 to evaluate all fees and costs, including capacity fees, and report back to council later in the year.