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City names new finance director as council approves midyear appropriation amendment
Summary
Katie Iaconis began as University Heights finance director; council adopted a multi-line appropriation amendment to correct budget allocations and cover unbudgeted expenses, passing the ordinance as an emergency measure.
The City of University Heights introduced Katie Iaconis as its new finance director Tuesday and approved an emergency midyear appropriation amendment to adjust multiple budget lines and cover shortfalls.
Mayor Michael Brennan introduced Iaconis, who most recently served as finance director for Parma Heights and as fiscal officer in other Ohio municipalities; she started in the city on Tuesday. The council read a joint proclamation honoring retiring Finance Director Dennis J. Kennedy and designated May 30, 2025, as “Dennis Kennedy Day.” Kennedy thanked colleagues and said he will help with transition work over the next two weeks.
Council also considered a midyear appropriation amendment presented by Kennedy that adjusts many line items to correct calculation errors and cover unbudgeted liabilities. Kennedy said an incorrect formula in the city’s budgeting software left several departments short on workers’ compensation premium allocations; he proposed $74,000 to the police department line, $15,000 to fire, $7,000 to service and $4,000 to general admin to cover the premium shortfall.
Other adjustments in the amendment included:
- $22,250 added to refuse/recycling (Cuyahoga County grant) — reimbursable; - $12,000 for EMS billing payments (to cover past bills); - $20,000 added to the finance department for increased salary costs with a full‑time director; - $4,200 to housing for a copier lease and supplies; - $11,000 increase for seasonal pool staff pay increases; - $40,000 to move a housing inspector position onto city payroll (offset by a reduction to the Safe Bill contract line); - accounting transfers relating to a previously approved advance/repayment involving the street maintenance fund.
Council voted to suspend the rules and adopt the appropriation amendment as an emergency ordinance; roll-call votes recorded all ayes on suspension and passage.
Why it matters: the amendment reconciles uncovered premium liabilities and funds operational needs for the remainder of the fiscal year, and it moves a housing inspector onto the city payroll — changes that affect service delivery and the year‑end fund position. Kennedy said the city will file the amendment with the County Budget Commission this week as required by GAAP conversion procedures.
Next steps: staff will implement the budget transfers and file required paperwork with the county; Iaconis will complete the transition with retiring Director Kennedy over the next two weeks.
