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Cleveland Heights council confirms Daniel Horrigan as city administrator; finance director nominee scheduled for hearing
Summary
Cleveland Heights City Council voted to confirm Daniel Horrigan as the city administrator on Jan. 6, 2025. The council also introduced a resolution to begin the confirmation process for Rodney G. Hairston as finance director and scheduled a hearing on that nomination.
Cleveland Heights — The Cleveland Heights City Council confirmed Daniel Horrigan as city administrator at its Jan. 6 meeting, clearing the way for him to assume the duties the charter assigns to that office, including preparation of the annual budget.
Council members voted to approve resolution 007-2025, confirming the mayor’s appointment of Daniel Horrigan. The council did not record a roll-call tally in the meeting transcript; the motion carried after the council’s oral “Aye” vote.
The confirmation matters because the city administrator is, by charter, responsible for day-to-day municipal operations and “the preparation of the annual budget for presentation to council,” a duty Councilor Larson emphasized during the meeting. “The budget preparation component of the charter’s description of the city administrator is extremely important right now,” Larson said, adding she looks forward to working with Horrigan on the council’s goal of a 12-month budget for 2025.
Council members who spoke during the confirmation period described Horrigan’s experience in larger cities and expressed optimism about his ability to work with staff and the mayor. During the discussion Councilor Petrus said Horrigan “offered to talk individually with council members” and had demonstrated a willingness to engage with members about priorities. Vice President Russell said she had investigated Horrigan’s background and called him “a fair and decent man” who understands labor and municipal operations.
Separately, the council introduced resolution 009-2025 to approve the mayor’s nomination of Rodney G. Hairston as director of finance and set up a confirmation hearing. The mayor’s office said a confirmation hearing would be scheduled; Hairston’s nomination remains at first reading and has not yet been voted on.
Council members and the mayor framed the two personnel moves as part of broader planning for the 2025 budget and operational goals. Councilors repeatedly cited the need to move toward a full-year (12-month) 2025 budget and said they expect the new city administrator to participate in upcoming finance committee work.
The council also approved several routine reappointments and nominations to advisory boards during the same meeting; those items were recorded separately on the consent portion of the agenda.
What’s next: Horrigan’s confirmation resolution is approved and his appointment is effective per the language of the resolution; Hairston’s nomination remains on first reading pending a scheduled confirmation hearing.
