Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents, council members press for swift passage of Cleveland Heights budget as finance committee readies final vote
Summary
Public commenters at the March 3 council meeting urged passage of the 2025 budget; council finance committee scheduled final work before a full council vote on March 17. Council discussed reserve levels and the need for training and clearer processes for future budgeting.
Several residents and council members urged Cleveland Heights City Council on March 3 to pass the 2025 budget promptly, while council leaders said the finance committee will meet again March 11 and the council is scheduled to act on the package at the March 17 meeting.
During public comment, Melody Joy Hart, a CPA and certified financial planner, told council she had followed the budget discussion for months and said the city’s unencumbered general fund balance remained healthy. Hart said the city ended 2024 with an unencumbered balance of about $27 million, was projected to end 2025 with roughly $28 million, and that the city’s minimum target to maintain its credit rating is $12 million.
Resident Drew Herzig urged council to stop delaying and pass the budget, calling the delays harmful to employees and city operations.
Council discussion and process: Councilwoman Larson (finance committee chair) reported that Director Hairston provided year-end financial statements to council during the finance committee meeting and that the mayor indicated revised year-end entries had been completed; the administration planned to post revised 2024 financials. Larson said the finance committee did not vote on the 2025 budget that night and scheduled a March 11 finance committee meeting at 6 p.m. to finalize ordinance 11-2025 for council action on March 17.
Council members also raised institutional questions: several members urged more training on municipal finance for new council members, and Councilman Mannix urged clearer processes to address transparency concerns and open-records compliance. Vice President Russell noted outstanding public records requests related to consulting and contract agreements.
What’s next: The finance committee will meet March 11 at 6 p.m.; council expects to consider final budget legislation (Ordinance 11-2025) at the March 17 council meeting. Council members encouraged residents to review posted documents and directed staff to circulate revised financials when available.
Ending: The meeting closed with council president reiterating the need for debate to stay focused on the facts before the council as it moves toward a final vote.
