City Balances Budget Without Cutting Services

The 2012 budget shows a leaner Strongsville, with reductions in most departments, but no cuts in city services.

Downsizing was necessary, Finance Director Joe Dubovec said, because revenue will shrink next year by a projected $1.95 million.

"The Municipal Income Tax estimate remains flat due to the threat of a double-dip recession," Dubovec said in his budget message.

Another big chunk: estate taxes. The state is doing away with the so-called "death tax" on estates, which this year brought $924,000 into the city's coffers.

"That's something we're going to have to deal with next year," Dubovec said.

And the state will again cut Local Government Fund contributions to cities, meaning the loss of about $340,000 here. 

The general fund budget, which covers most day-to-day operations, is $28.4 million next year, down $2.2 million -- about 8 percent -- from this year.

Department heads were asked to trim 2 to 3 percent from their budgets in 2012, but many cut much more than that, the budget shows, even though health insurance premiums will rise 7 percent next year and salaries for full-time employees are going up 3 percent.

As far as major projects, the capital budget includes few significant items. Dubovec said only a few major projects are in the budget for next year, including the , where the pavement has crumbled; a culvert at Pebblebrook; and sanitary sewers in the Webster-West 130th area.

Other big projects, like an outdoor pool, a new City Hall and even the next phase of the Pearl Road widening, will depend on grants or other funding sources.