The Cleveland Heights City Council has come to a decisive agreement on their fiscal plan for the upcoming year. At their recent meeting held on Monday, the Council adopted Ordinance No. 011-2025 with a unanimous 6-0 vote – Council VP Russell was absent but excused – approving a comprehensive budget for 2025 which nullifies the previously established temporary three-month budget from December.
As per details outlined in the adopted ordinance, Cleveland Heights sets its expenditure target at $105,078,576 for the year. Among the funds, the General Fund will receive $58,201,729 to cover diverse city operations including but not limited to, Fire, Police, Planning & Development, the Municipal Court, and Parks and Recreation. Mayor Kahlil Seren, who introduced the ordinance, commented on the commitment that shaped the outcome, saying, "I’d like to thank the Finance Department, including Willy [Felts], Rodney [Hairston], Donna [Fisher], Laurie [Newshutz] and Earline [Robinson]. And I’d like to thank the Council. It has been a difficult process, but I respect the role Council plays, and the requests on appropriations have been fairly considered," according to a press release by the City of Cleveland Heights.
This financial framework for Cleveland Heights not only manages the current needs but also draws on a significant $70 million fund balance from the prior year. It’s reported that $5 million from this surplus will go towards ambitious infrastructure projects, including road improvements on Taylor Road, Monticello, and Meadowbrook boulevards, along with a $2.45 million allocation specifically for road resurfacing and traffic calming measures.
Allocations also feature support for long-term programs and concerns. The city's Community Development Block Grants, fully reimbursed by the U.S. Housing and Urban Department of Development, will see $2.8 million dedicated to the needs of households with low-to-moderate income. Furthermore, the Office on Aging is set to receive $40,531, while the Economic Development Department will receive $1,487,397. In addition, projects like the City's Home Program, with a budget of $624,500, will continue to offer home repair services for qualified homeowners. Cain Park will operate with its full fund of $1,819,019 for the 2025 season, and the City’s Parks Maintenance secures $1.278 million for ongoing work and capital improvements.
The Mayor expressed appreciation for the collaborative effort, stating, "I want to thank everyone who contributed to this process positively." With the budget in place, the City of Cleveland Heights aims to tread a path of strategic growth and development in the coming year, backed by well-planned fiscal appropriations.
