Friday, December 7, 2012
Mayor says lots of other cities are billing residents for weekly rubbish collection
Mayor Tom Perciak raised the idea of charging residents for rubbish collection, but said Strongsville has not reached the point where it will start billing -- yet. The mayor, speaking at a hearing on Strongsville's 2013 budget, called the $2.3 million trash fund "a huge amount of money." "I can see why most municipalities around us are looking at this in a whole new light and started passing along the cost to residents," Perciak said. Communities including Brook Park, Berea and Parma Heights now charge for curbside refuse pickup, he said. "We've stayed away from that and we plan on staying away from that if we continue to rev the engines of economic growth," Perciak said. Income tax collection is up 4.6 percent this year over 2011, …
Thursday, December 6, 2012
New food at rec center is part of employee wellness program
City officials, eyeing a 15 percent hike in health insurance premiums next year, are stepping up their employee wellness program. Strongsville is working with the Cleveland Clinic to switch the menu at the Ehrnfelt Recreation Center to feature healthier fare. "Our hope is that our employees, instead of stopping at a fast food restaurant, will eat in our rec center," Mayor Tom Perciak said. Dr. Michael Roizen, chief wellness officer at the Clinic, said in a talk here earlier this year that a few key factors like weight, blood pressure and smoking, are responsible for a majority of health problems. Human Resources Director Steve Kilo has been implementing a wellness program for Strongsville employees for the last few years. Perciak said …
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Officials try to balance expenses against declining revenue
The end of estate taxes in Ohio will take a big chunk out of Strongsville's revenue stream next year, officials said. Mayor Tom Perciak said the change in state law will cost the city about $1 million in 2013, and every year after that. The state is also reducing the money it gives to cities through the Local Government Fund -- about $500,000 a year in Strongsville, Finance Director Joe Dubovec said -- and the Commercial Activity Tax, about $350,000 a year. That's a total of almost $2 million less revenue than the city is used to getting. Still, the general fund will squeak by with a $3,300 surplus -- without touching the $7.4 million balance it will carry into 2013. Dubovec said income tax collections this year are up about 4 percent …
Thursday, January 5, 2012
High-ranking job will be eliminated to save money
One of the two assistant chief jobs in the Strongsville Fire Department will be eliminated this year to save money for the city. The position held by Greg Brown will not be filled when he retires this month. City Council on Monday formally eliminated one assistant chief job in the department, which has traditionally had two. "This is a financial move," Fire Chief Jeff Branic said. "It's not one I'm particularly happy with, but I think it's the right one." By eliminating the job, the city will save $155,000 in salary and benefits this year, Finance Director Joe Dubovec said. Branic said the assistant chiefs typically handle the "nuts and bolts" of daily operation, including manpower, equipment and discipline. "It's going to be a lot on your…
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Time Warner may charge an estimated $70,000 a year to use network
A fiber optic network the city has been using free of charge for the last few decades is now expected to cost $70,000 a year. Deregulation of the cable TV industry means Time Warner can start charging cities for use of the INet, a fiber optic network in the city's buildings that is used for Internet, phones, data, video surveillance and energy management. The free use was part of a franchise agreement Strongsville hammered out with the city's previous cable TV providers. But Ohio has since done away with franchise agreements between cities and cable firms. "One of the casualties of that process is . . . we lose the services they have been providing for us," Law Director Ken Kraus said. Mayor Tom Perciak said he and John Bedford, the city'…
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
2012 figures show reductions in most departments
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, …
Lisa
9:06 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
I moved to Strongsville with my family for a nicer and SAFER place to live. With all the taxes and fees they like to charge and school levy almost every year I believe it is time to relocate. I wouldn't mind as much but when Strongsville mall is looking like, what was once a beautiful mall, (North Randall Mall) that is an indication of what Strongsville city will be in a few years! Obviously, … more ›