Mayor discusses concert series and opposes House Bill 533 on property tax reforms

Wickliffe residents can look forward to an exciting summer filled with community events, as the City Council discussed various initiatives during their meeting on June 9, 2025. Mayor and Safety Director highlighted the opening of local pools and the Spray Park, along with upcoming concerts and movie nights designed to engage the community.

The concert series kicks off with Funkology performing at Jindra Park on Tuesday from 6 to 8 PM, followed by the Colby concert series on Friday from 7 to 10 PM. Additionally, a movie night featuring "Inside Out 2" is scheduled for June 20 at Colby, with pre-activities starting at 7 PM.

In a significant legislative update, the Mayor addressed House Bill 533, which proposes to end inside millage property tax collection by January 1, 2026. This change could result in a 25% reduction in real estate tax revenue, impacting funding for police and fire pensions as well as capital improvements. The Mayor has signed a letter opposing the bill and urged the council to do the same, with a draft letter prepared for council members' signatures.

The meeting also included updates on the OLA project at the old Palisade Palace, with plans for repaving the parking lot and road expected to delay the opening until before August. Furthermore, the Mayor proposed adding fencing at the detention pond at Laredo Development to the agenda for new business.

Council members contributed to the discussion by proposing additional items for consideration, including short-term rentals and council attendance. Chief Bush provided an update on the NextGen 911 initiative, indicating that legislation will be presented at the next meeting for council approval.

As the summer unfolds, these developments reflect the council's commitment to enhancing community engagement and addressing critical legislative issues that could impact Wickliffe's future.