Politics & Government

Cleveland Heights City Council Passes 2013 Tax Budget

Council also approved the purchases of seven city vehicles

Cleveland Heights City Council on Monday approved its tax budget for 2013.

The city narrowly expects to cover its expenses. Revenues are projected at $41,693,205, while expenses will total $41,615,995.

The city held a public forum on the budget before council voted, but no members of the public spoke.

Vice Mayor Dennis Wilcox said the trickle-down effect from state budgetary issues produced difficulties for council as it evaluated revenues and expenses.

"Budgeting for municipalities these days is getting more and more difficult," he said. "We continue to do things more efficiently, collaboratively, cooperatively with other cities to try to save money wherever we can maximize our revenues and workforce.

"In light of all that, it seems to be that Columbus does not value municipalities like they used to."

Wilcox blamed to lower contributions from the state and county local government funds, as well as the inheritance tax. The three sources produced $4.3 million for the city in 2009, but are projected to provide just over $2 million in 2013, Wilcox said.

also passed six resolutions that will result in the purchase of seven vehicles for use by various departments. The vehicles will be purchased through the Ohio Department of Administrative Services Cooperative Purchasing Program. By law, municipalities are allowed to buy supplies, equipment and services through the program without obtaining competitive bids.

Most of the suppliers are car dealers in the Columbus and Cincinnati areas. The vans the city will purchase for the Parks and Recreation Department will cost more than a combined $46,000 and will be paid for with funds from Issue 27, which voters approved in 2004. The others, including two Dodge Avengers for the Housing Inspections Department and a Ford F-250 for the Refuse/Recycling Division of the Public Works Department, will be funded by the proceeds from the city's issuance of tax-exempt notes or bonds.

The most costly approved purchase is a street sweeper for the Streets Divisiion of the Public Works Department for $169,714. The city is trading in a sweeper for a $7,500 credit, Councilwoman Bonita Caplan said.

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