City administration submits full 2025 capital list; council seeks year-end financials before final vote

The administration submitted a full set of capital spending requests for Cleveland Heights’ 2025 budget and told the Finance Committee it intends to amend the already-introduced appropriations ordinance by substitution, with council members saying they want year-end 2024 financial statements before making final decisions.

The submission matters because it adds roughly $13.6 million in potential capital outlays across multiple funds and departments and sets a schedule for council consideration: committee members said they expect year-end financial statements by Feb. 24 and indicated a goal of having a third reading and final council vote on the appropriations ordinance on March 3.

Mayor Saron framed the item as the administration’s formal proposal. “This is the list that the administration is putting forward,” the mayor told the committee, adding that “if council or any council member wishes to remove something or amend the items out, council is capable of doing that.” The mayor said the administration will provide the detailed exhibit as an amendment by substitution so the ordinance on the floor matches the administration’s submission.

Council members pressed for more complete closing figures before acting. Councilor Jim Posch told colleagues he expected the additional materials to be available by Feb. 24: “I am, you know, my expectation is we're getting everything that we've asked for by the 20 fourth.” Several members said they would prefer to see the department-by-department year-end numbers before endorsing or prioritizing projects.

Finance Director Hairston told the committee that most new capital requests come from fund balances other than the general fund. “All of the additional capital is out of funds that are not the general fund,” Hairston said in discussion, confirming the administration did not plan to tap unassigned balance in Fund 101 to pay for the new items. The administration listed the specific source fund for each line item on the capital request exhibit attached to the ordinance.

Committee members and staff also discussed process. Some councilors said they had previously sought a more collaborative, front‑end prioritization process with administration; the mayor said the administration’s approach for 2025 is to submit a single package and allow council to amend it. The committee asked for a clear “checklist” showing which items were carried from the 2024 budget into the 2025 request because several expensive items were proposed in both years.

Next steps: the administration said it will provide (1) the department-by-department financial statements and closeout data for 2024 by Feb. 24, (2) the amended appropriations exhibit for insertion by substitution at the council meeting, and (3) follow-up detail on any capital items members identify for additional review. Council members said they will use committee meetings and the Feb. 20 and subsequent sessions to request status updates on individual projects before final appropriation on March 3.

Less-urgent details: speakers repeatedly urged that routine updates on encumbrances and the status of large purchases be circulated so council can tell whether large requests are new cash needs or items that were budgeted but not spent in 2024.

Ending: The committee adjourned after scheduling additional follow-up meetings; members said they will review the 2024 closeout materials when they are posted and decide whether to amend the ordinance on the council floor or afterward in committee.