Wickliffe council adopts 2025 budget despite $1.4 million shortfall

The Wickliffe City Council voted to adopt the city’s 2025 budget on March 24, approving associated pay ordinances and project authorizations despite floor objections over a roughly $1.4 million shortfall and a nearly $900,000 net-profit tax refund the city must repay.

The budget passed on a recorded vote after several council members raised concerns about the deficit and the effect on capital projects. The mayor, recounting the revenue hit, said the city had to repay “almost $900,000” in net-profit tax and that refund “had a huge impact on our budget.”

Why it matters: the adopted budget sets spending and staffing levels for 2025 and includes pay adjustments for some appointed officials and other employee groups. Council debate focused on whether the city could reduce spending further or raise additional revenue, with opponents saying the package left too large a gap and supporters urging that reductions to core services or staff would be harmful.

Council discussion and key details

Councilman Gerhardstein said he opposed adopting the budget as presented, stating, “I’m voting no on this. I’m just not approving a budget that’s $1,400,000 in deficit.” Councilman Bailin challenged dissenting members, asking what proposals or revenue measures they had offered to close the gap: “The ones that are voting no, what have you done?” Councilwoman Salota said the council had reviewed the budget thoroughly and believed the city could manage the shortfall through carryover and targeted priorities.

The mayor told council members that capital needs remain in reasonable condition and that further cuts would likely fall to salaries, noting his goal since taking office was to rebuild staff and maintain city services.

Other actions taken

Council also approved multiple ordinances and resolutions on third reading, including compensation and employment provisions for appointed officials, hourly and salary employees, part-time firefighters, special police officers, and part-time public-safety dispatchers. The council approved a resolution to issue Community Reinvestment Area compensation to the Wycliffe City School District for tax year 2024 and placed several ODOT/ODOT-LPA project agreements on the agenda (PID 112506) to advance resurfacing and streetscape work.

Votes at a glance

- Adoption of 2025 budget (Ordinance 2025-07, moved by Councilman Thielman, seconded by Councilwoman Soloto): Adopted. Recorded roll call in the transcript shows Allen — yes; Gerhardstein — no; Jaworski — no; Koski — yes; Lavonne — no; Salota — yes; Thielman — yes (majority adopted).

- Ordinance 2025-08 (compensation of appointed officials): Adopted on third reading.

- Ordinance 2025-09 (compensation for certain salary/hourly employees): Adopted on third reading.

- Ordinance 2025-10 (compensation for other city employees): Adopted on third reading.

- Ordinance 2025-11 (part-time firefighters, amended): Adopted on third reading.

- Ordinance 2025-12 (special police officers): Adopted on third reading.

- Ordinance 2025-13 (part-time public-safety dispatchers): Adopted on third reading.

- Ordinance 2025-16 (authorizing mayor to enter LPA/ODOT project agreement, PID 112506, emergency clause): Rules suspended and ordinance adopted.

- Resolution 2025-02 (authorize finance director to issue CRA compensation payment to Wycliffe Board of Education for tax year 2024, emergency): Rules suspended and resolution adopted.

- Resolution 2025-03 (proclaim April 2025 Child Abuse Prevention Month): Rules suspended and resolution adopted.

- Resolution 2025-04 (memorandum of understanding between Wickliffe and Willoughby for project PID 112506): Rules suspended and resolution adopted.

- Reaffirmation of mayoral appointment Jean Hemmelgarn to the Keep Wickliffe Commission (term to expire 12/31/2026): Motion made and vote recorded as adopted.

What was not decided

Council members discussed but did not adopt changes to any tax or fee structures during this meeting. The previously scheduled executive session was canceled and rescheduled for the next regular meeting because insurance counsel could not attend.

Where things go next

Council left several items for future committee work: an improvement-committee meeting was scheduled for March 31 to discuss Old Schoolway street dedication, to be followed by a legislation-and-welfare committee meeting to review occupancy rules and fee procedures in chapter 13. The Mayor and staff said they will continue to monitor revenue and capital needs during 2025 and return to council with any recommended adjustments.

Ending

The council adjourned after completing the agenda and clearing miscellaneous items; members noted upcoming community events and memorialized recent longtime residents who had died.