“I need to gauge your willingness to support some form of revenue enhancements….” So read the email from Mayor Cervenik to City Council on Dec 1st. We’re facing some tough times folks. But most of you already knew that because you’re facing tough times in your own lives. You’ve been facing them for months and hopefully are dealing with it.
To continue as is, Euclid needs about $3million. The City’s income from wages, property and a few other sources is down across the board. This should not come as a surprise. The Administration to its credit, realized significant savings this year in its negotiations with the unions. Another $350,000 or so was saved when we switched Trash Collection services. On the negative side, I think Council should have said ‘No’ when the Administration came back to us for $1million more in expenditures after we approved the budget last spring. The deficit we are facing in 2010 would not have been as severe had Council done that. Those amendments passed 8 to 1 (I voted No). But it is what it is.
Council and the Administration supported the passage of Issue 105 for the schools which will cost homeowners close to $100 more in property taxes. Council approved an increase of $2/mcf each year for 5 years in Nov of ’08 to rebuild 17 combined storm and sanitary sewer lines. The Benza tax for waterline improvements went up another $1/mcf this year as well. And it won’t surprise me if the Wastewater Plant needs an increase to cover its operations. In 2010 your sewer charges on an mcf basis will be at least $23.68 operations + $9 Benza + $7.88 Peterson = $40.56 + Water + $7 flat service charge.
Bottom line – between Federal, State, County, Local, Schools, Phone, Gas, Sales and all the other taxes you did or didn’t vote for – you’re taxed out. But City Services need more money… a lot more money. The Mayor has proffered a Garbage Tax or a Street Light tax or a Safety Levy or an Operating Levy. Another option per the Mayor is to, “revisit the elimination of the 920 charter provision, coupled with a reduction in efffective millage. This would benefit all funds, provide for future growth, as most other communities experience, and it would relieve, to an extent, the strong dependence on income taxes that are so volatile in these difficult times, and would also help structurally balance our revenue streams.” Like the Schools, the City also has a property tax cap. Unlike the Schools, the cap is part of our charter and can be changed. Eliminating the cap would require a vote of the people.
Before we ask and/or require you to pay out more money, we must look at eliminating waste and duplication of services.
Some of my ideas include:
- The jail loses over $1million/year. Close it except for holding cells.
- We spend $800-900,000/year on engineering fees, but have not gone out for bids on firms for at least 3 years. We need to negotiate lower fees paid out to our engineering firm CT Consultants or find a new firm
- We have a part-time Human Resources person that costs the City over $50,000. It's a new position after doing 4 years without. Is it necessary?
- Safety Forces continue to receive year end bonuses based on years served (longevity). That benefit must be re-visited
Additional sources of revenue for the immediate future could include:
- The Mini-Station on E.260 could be rented out to an ambulance service, cutting down on EFD runs while bringing new revenue into the City
- Encourage the Judge to fine lawbreakers closer to or at the maximum levels allowed
- Enforce the current laws in place regarding overnight/illegal parking
- Put Orr Ice Arena under a private management firm. Shore has seen significant revenue increases and cost savings by hiring the Coral Company. The Golf Course is about to undergo the same changes.
- Halt acceptance of HUD funds and instead provide incentives to middle/upper incomers to move into Euclid
Long term sources of revenue can include:
- Aggressively pursue monies to implement the Lakefront Plan as soon as possible.
- Work closely with Euclid Hospital, University Hospitals, Hospice and the City of Cleveland to re-develop the E.185/Lakeshore corridor
Those are some of my ideas. I’d love to hear yours. In the meantime, I will oppose new taxes and if possible, higher taxes.




