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Finance director presents modest 2026 budget with $2,720 surplus; committee hears state property-tax proposals
Summary
Finance Director Jenny Esarey told the Finance Committee the proposed 2026 permanent appropriations show a $2,720 general-fund surplus and outlined assumptions (27 pays, 3% increase). She also warned of multiple state property-tax proposals and pension changes that could affect future levies.
Finance Director Jenny Esarey told the North Royalton Finance Committee on Oct. 21 that the proposed 2026 permanent appropriations budget projects a modest $2,720 surplus for the general fund and relies on assumptions including 27 pay periods and a 3% payroll increase.
"The proposed budget has $2,720 surplus for the general fund," Esarey said, noting she based revenue projections on current collections and a conservative 1% increase in income taxes for 2026. She told the committee that the city received an income-tax distribution from the Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA) on Oct. 15 and that "the city is operating well within budget" through September.
Committee members pressed staff on several line items. Council member Mary Gorjanc asked about an approximate $669,000 carryover in the jail fund and whether that level of spending was necessary; Esarey said the city maintains the carryover to avoid drawing on the general fund if partner jurisdictions reduce contract participation. Regarding public-safety communications, Gorjanc noted a Chagrin Valley Dispatch estimate near $600,000, while Esarey and Police Chief Keith Tarase clarified that the roughly $488,000 listed under Police and Fire communications reflects local clerks and jail staffing costs (salaries and benefits) rather than the regional dispatch contract.
Esarey also warned council members about active state-level property-tax proposals and pension changes that could have material effects on municipal finances, including discussions about eliminating inside millage and proposals to raise employer pension contributions for police. She said staff are monitoring developments and contacting state representatives. "There is an exorbitant amount of property tax legislation," Esarey said.
The committee discussed next steps for the budget schedule: Esarey offered to accept written questions by Oct. 30 and proposed a special Finance Committee session on Nov. 5 to address substantive issues before scheduled readings on Nov. 13 and Nov. 18, and potential passage thereafter.
The committee did not vote on the 2026 permanent appropriations at the Oct. 21 meeting; the budget remains in committee for further review.
