Parma Heights council approves 2026 budget, employee pay plan and cybersecurity program

Parma Heights City Council on Dec. 8 approved the city's 2026 appropriations ordinance, adopted a revised employee compensation ordinance and voted to adopt a cybersecurity program required under state law.

The meeting, called to order by Council President Rounds at 7:05 p.m., included routine departmental reports and several roll-call votes. Safety Director Bova reported the Fire Department "provided mutual aid on 6 separate occasions" this year and said, "As of today's date, the Fire Department has responded to approximately 4,000 calls for service this year," figures the council received as part of the public-safety update. Mayor Gallo announced the city had been awarded a Cuyahoga County Supplemental Grant of "$50K" for improvements to the Greenbrier Commons tennis and pickleball courts.

Why it matters: passing the annual appropriations ordinance gives city departments legal authority to spend in 2026, the compensation ordinance sets pay and benefits for city employees, and the cybersecurity ordinance implements a program the city said is being adopted pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 9.64.

Council action and other highlights The council held over Ordinance No. 2025-84 (employee benefits amendment) for another reading. By roll call, council passed Ordinance No. 2025-92, which "establishe[s] appropriations…