Dave Gusman, who did not seek re-election to the Strongsville School Board last year after serving two terms, said he will run for Strongsville City Council next year.
Gusman will vie for one of the three at-large seats.
"I feel I can add value to City Council," Gusman said. "I think I have a good understanding of the concerns of residents."
The at-large seats are currently held by Joe DeMio, Ken Dooner and Duke Southworth.
Candidates don't run for specific at-large seats in Strongsville. The top three vote-getters among all the candidates will ultimately win the posts.
If more than six candidates file, there will be a primary election in May to narrow the field to six.
Gusman said he brings 10 years of experience on the city's Board of Zoning Appeals and eight years on the school board. He has also been on the board of trustees for the Strongsville Chamber of Commerce for 10 years and has served as president of two homeowners' associations.
His platform will focus on helping Mayor Tom Perciak attract non-retail business to Strongsville to offset the loss of local revenue due to cutbacks in the Local Government Fund and the end of the inheritance tax.
He said he also wants to revamp some legislation to make it more business-friendly and easier to understand.
No other candidates have announced they will run for council next year. Deadline to file petitions for the May 7 primary is Feb. 6.
Calling it a "self-imposed term limit," Gusman in 2011 said his eight years on the board were enough.
"After two terms, I've accomplished the majority of my original goals," he said. "It's time for someone else to step up and take a leadership role."
He said this week he has wanted to run for City Council for several years. He was among the applicants who sought to fill former Councilman Pat Coyne's seat in 2011 when Coyne resigned to face bribery charges.
Southworth was appointed to that seat.
