City of Dublin
Periodically, the City of Dublin surveys residents to find out what they like most about living in Dublin. Not surprisingly, City services rank high on the list. In a recent National Citizen Survey, Dublin was one of 12 communities across the country with the highest-rated services and had a service quality rating that was in the top three of all eligible municipalities.
The results earned the City nine Voice of the People Awards for Excellence from the International City/County Management Association in the following categories:
- Recycling services
- Refuse collection
- Police services
- Fire services – provided by Washington Township
- Parks
- Recreation programs
- Street repair
- Code enforcement
- Overall quality of city services
Dublin is able to provide such high-quality services due in large part to sound fiscal policies and fund management. The largest source of City revenue comes from income tax revenue. Seventy-five percent of income taxes collected are allocated to the General Fund for City operations with the remainder dedicated to the Capital Improvements Tax Fund, says Finance Director Angel Mumma.
In 2013, income tax accounted for nearly 71 percent of the City’s revenue stream. Dublin collects a 2 percent income tax on gross wages, salaries and other personal service compensation, as well as on the net profits of businesses.
“Approximately 75 percent of Dublin residents work outside the City of Dublin,” Mumma says, “so the majority of the income tax collected is paid by employees who work in Dublin, but live in another community.”
Matt Earman, director of recreation services, says he continually receives inquiries from other communities about “how we do things so well.”
“My most common response,” Earman says, “is that it is a result of three primary reasons: our uniquely talented staff and their dedication to paving the way into uncharted waters; the unwavering support from the City’s leadership and City Council to provide us with the resources needed to fulfill the needs of our residents; and a very engaged and well-educated community of residents who understand the endless number of benefits associated with the quality of programs and parks we offer.”
City employees take great pride in their work and in the services they provide. Greg Jones, code enforcement supervisor, says, “Our goal is to maintain excellence in customer service by performing our duties in a professional, courteous and efficient manner.”
One of the top reasons residents cite for choosing Dublin is the excellent school system. While the City of Dublin is funded primarily by income taxes, the Dublin City School District is funded primarily by property taxes.
Dublin City Schools is Ohio’s highest-achieving school system among districts with enrollments exceeding 10,000 students, says Stephen Osborne, treasurer of Dublin City Schools.
“The 11th largest in the state, our district strives to provide students and families with world-class instruction, a well-rounded education and a commitment to improve in everything we do,” he says.
“The support of our community is a key component of our success,” Osborne says. “With a general fund budget of more than $180 million, the majority of our funding is provided locally, by our community, not the state of Ohio, not the federal government. We take our responsibility to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars very seriously.”
Amenities that also rank highly for residents and visitors alike are Dublin’s special events and public art. Dublin City Council instituted a Hotel/Motel Tax or “bed” tax in 1988 and allocates 75 percent of the revenue for arts, special events, beautification and tourism. The remaining 25 percent is dedicated to the Dublin Convention & Visitors Bureau. Funds from the bed tax have been used to create and expand the Dublin Irish Festival into a premier special event and are responsible for the City’s well-respected Art in Public Places program.
“The City of Dublin attracts more than 2.6 million visitors annually, and they generate millions of dollars into the local economy,” says Scott Dring, executive director of the Dublin Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Every visitor pays a bed tax that goes directly back to the community to support a variety of organizations and activities in Dublin: the Dublin Irish Festival; Independence Day and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations; lights and other facilities at Avery Park and Darree Fields; Dublin Soccer League soccer goals; various events in Historic Dublin; the Dublin Arts Council and its programs; and much more.”
“Many of the amenities we enjoy as Dublin residents would not be possible if it weren’t for those visiting our City and staying at Dublin’s 15 hotels,” Dring says.
Mumma says the City is committed to continuing its practice to implement sound fiscal policies while delivering top-quality municipal services that benefit residents, visitors and employees who work in Dublin.
