Parma Heights council directs draft to raise monthly rubbish assessment to $17.77 and omit $1 Homestead discount

Parma Heights City Council members at a May 16 work session directed city staff to draft legislation to set the monthly rubbish assessment at $17.77 — the city's 2024 contract rate — and to present the ordinance without the city's $1-per-month Homestead discount.

Council President Rounds opened the discussion and, citing cost trends, framed the issue around how the city has historically subsidized residential trash service. Director of Finance Iaconis told council the city has paid roughly $400,000 per year for its portion of the program, rising from about $300,000 twelve years ago, and gave a current figure of "$420,031.20," saying that "if the rate was increased to the $16.75 the city would no longer have a portion to cover with 100% resident participation."

The discussion centered on whether to raise rates incrementally or adopt the 2024 contract rate now. Director of Finance Iaconis recommended adopting the $17.77 monthly rate now so the city would not need to raise the charge again through 2024 and would begin to recoup years of subsidy. Council members responding included Councilwoman Walsh, Councilwoman Durichko, Councilman Haase and Councilman Stavole; several expressed reluctance about passing costs to residents but concluded a single adjustment may be less disruptive than repeated rises.

Council President Rounds said he "heard a consensus that we should go with 2024 rate of $17.77 a month which is an annual increase of $78.84." Councilwoman Walsh asked whether the city could pair a rate increase with additional services such as extra bulk pickups; Mayor Gallo said staff has, in the past, made one-off accommodations for residents under extenuating circumstances but could not routinely provide extra pickups.

Council members also debated a longstanding $1-per-month Homestead discount for owner-occupied parcels that receive the county homestead property-tax reduction. Director of Finance Iaconis explained the city's $1 monthly reduction was intended as an additional benefit on top of the county's 2½% homestead credit and that roughly 1,400 parcels currently receive it, but she warned tracking eligibility can be administratively burdensome when properties transfer ownership. Some council members argued the small discount creates paperwork and potential errors; others noted seniors rely on every reduction. Council President Rounds asked administration to draft the ordinance without the Homestead exemption initially, with the option to amend it later if council decides.

No formal vote was recorded at the work session; council gave direction to administration to prepare the ordinance for the regular meeting cycle, allowing time for three readings and public comment.