The group will be led by former Huntington Bancshares CEO Thomas Hoaglin.
Before they announced plans in April to seek a city income-tax increase, Mayor Michael B. Coleman, City Council President Michael C. Mentel and other officials promised changes they said would save up to $150 million over the next decade.
The biggest savings would come from forcing city workers to contribute toward their own pensions. Public employees are supposed to pay 10 percent of their salaries toward retirement benefits, but Columbus picks up that contribution for its workers.
"We need to make the tough decisions necessary to make Columbus city operations more efficient and cost-effective," Coleman said in a statement. "This committee will serve as a means for the public to hold us accountable for our progress in meeting these goals."
Other members of the panel are: Mario Ciardelli, business manager for IBEW Local 683; Catherine Girves, executive director of the University Area Enrichment Association; Jacqueline Neal, president of Glory Foods; Dave Paul, president of the Northland Community Council; Greta Russell, controller for Ohio State University; Ron Seiffert, interim president of Ohio Dominican University; Harold Palmer, regional director for the Ohio Association of Public School Employees; and Patricia Hatler, chief legal and governance officer for Nationwide Insurance.
On Aug. 4, Columbus voters approved an income-tax increase that will take effect next week.
rvitale@dispatch.com
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