Richmond Heights committee advances 2026 appropriations; council notes $200,000 park carryover

The Richmond Heights Committee of the Whole on Nov. 25 reviewed Ordinance 147-2025, the city's appropriations ordinance for the fiscal year beginning Jan. 1, 2026, and related budget items.

An administration representative summarized updates to the capital improvement list and contractual items, and said $200,000 previously budgeted for park improvements (including a proposed pickleball court and work at Design Park) was not spent in 2025 and is proposed to be carried forward into 2026. The presenter said the city's unencumbered balance stood at $6,754,440 against a $31,377,306 2025 budget baseline and described the 2026 proposal as a "reasonable and realistic" operating budget.

Council discussion did not identify further changes. During the recorded vote sequence on Ordinance 147-2025, the transcript records recorded 'Yes' responses from Councilmembers Justice, Lewis, Robinson and Silver; Councilmember Percy is recorded voting 'No' in the same segment. The ordinance was presented for approval as a second-reading, emergency-declaration item.

The meeting also took first steps on Ordinance 159-2025, a set of supplemental appropriations and amendments to prior ordinances. Finance committee members had recommended the measure for passage and a motion to suspend the rules and send it to council was made and seconded.

What happens next: Ordinance 147-2025 was advanced according to the transcript; items requiring formal final council action will move to a council session for final votes and any remaining procedural steps.