Funding Review Advisory Committee

Overview

The City of Columbus and Franklin County have partnered to convene the Funding Review Advisory Committee, which will be charged with evaluating public funding practices, analyzing current and potential tax revenue streams and providing recommendations to ensure the continued support of essential community services such as the human services, cultural arts and travel and tourism sectors.

A previous version of the Funding Review Advisory Committee was convened by the City of Columbus in 2011 to review current and potential public funding mechanisms that could support the city’s human services, cultural arts and travel and tourism sectors. The Committee’s findings and recommendations were published the following year and served as an influential roadmap for local policymakers.

Given our community’s evolving and growing needs, the city and county are committed to once again conducting a comprehensive evaluation of public funding practices and identifying long-term funding solutions. Thus, a second iteration of the Funding Review Advisory Committee has been convened.

Purpose and Objectives

The purpose of the Funding Review Advisory Committee is to evaluate public funding practices, analyze current and potential tax revenue streams and provide recommendations that will enable informed decision-making that aligns with long-term community needs and values.

The Committee will focus on the following objectives:

  • Assess Funding Trends: Review changes in funding for the local human services, cultural arts and travel and tourism sectors over the past decade to understand allocation patterns and community impact.
  • Evaluate Revenue Streams: Analyze current and potential tax revenue sources to determine their effectiveness and potential for growth.
  • Assess Revenue Utilization: Examine how existing tax revenue streams are being allocated and utilized across sectors, identifying inefficiencies and gaps.
  • Recommend Sustainability Strategies: Propose long-term strategies to maintain adequate public support while promoting fiscal responsibility and adaptability.
  • Identify Opportunities for Improvement: Explore ways to optimize the use of public funds, increase operational efficiencies and enhance service delivery across the three sectors.

At the conclusion of its work, the Committee will produce a report that provides an analysis of public funding trends and revenue utilization, identifies opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness in public fund utilization and recommends long-term strategies to sustain and enhance funding for essential community services.

Committee Composition

The Committee is composed of a balanced and diverse group of community leaders who have a deep understanding of the local human services, cultural arts and travel and tourism sectors. The following community leaders were appointed by Mayor Ginther in collaboration with Columbus City Council President Hardin and Franklin County Board of Commissioners President Crawley to form the Committee:

  • Sandy Doyle-Ahern, President of EMH&T (Committee Chair)
  • Trudy Bartley, Associate Vice President for Local and Community Relations at The Ohio State University Office of Government Affairs (Committee Vice Chair)
  • Barbara Benham, Executive Vice President and Chief Public Affairs Officer at Huntington National Bank
  • Darnita Bradley, Senior Manager of Local Government Affairs & Engagement at JobsOhio
  • Tanny Crane, President & CEO of Crane Group
  • Janelle Coleman, Vice President of Corporate Philanthropy and Community Engagement at American Electric Power and President of the American Electric Power Foundation
  • Luke Fedlam, Partner at Amundsen Davis
  • Jason Hall, CEO of the Columbus Partnership
  • Traci Martinez, Managing Partner at Squire Patton Boggs
  • Karen Morrison, Senior Vice President at OhioHealth and President of the OhioHealth Foundation
  • Matt Scantland, CEO of AndHealth
  • Jamie Shumaker, Executive Director of the Central Ohio Labor Council, AFL-CIO
  • Janica Pierce Tucker, Partner-In-Charge of Taft Columbus
  • Doug Ulman, Board Vice Chair at Pelotonia
  • Michael Young, Lead Pastor of City of Grace Church

Committee Meeting Schedule

Details related to the upcoming meetings of the Funding Review Advisory Committee will be published below.

Members of the public may attend the public portions of the committee’s meetings or watch the meeting recordings as they are published to the City of Columbus YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/cityofcolumbus.  

Introduction to the Work Ahead

  • Date: Thursday, April 10, 2025
  • Time: 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • Location: Coleman Garage Conference Room (141 N Front St, Columbus, OH 43215)

Overview of City and County Finances

  • Date: Friday, May 2, 2025
  • Time: 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.
  • Location: Columbus City Hall, Council Chambers (90 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215)

Stakeholder Presentation: Cultural Arts Sector

  • Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 ·
  • Time: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. ·
  • Location: Colman Garage Conference Room (141 N Front St)

Stakeholder Presentation: Human Services Sector 

  • Date: Monday, July 21, 2025
  • Time: 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
  • Location: Coleman Government Center Hearing Room (111 N Front St)

Stakeholder Presentation: Travel and Tourism Sector

  • Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
  • Time: 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
  • Location: Coleman Garage Conference Room (141 N Front St)

Questions?

Questions about the Committee can be directed to FRAC@columbus.gov. 

 

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