The administration and City Council met on three separate occasions for more than 14 hours at the end of June and early July to discuss the future needs of the City and more specifically a five-year plan. Each department presented their needs totaling more than $86,400,000 and at the end of the presentations the list was prioritized. At the top of the list are the following: storm water management, Center Ridge Road/Lear Nagle Road widening projects, and capital expenditures such as a new fire station, road improvements, bridge repairs and waterline replacements.
As a result of the discussions, legislation was submitted to move forward with placing a bond issue for street improvements on the November ballot to generate up to $8 million to finance the city’s portion of the $67 million project to widen Center Ridge Road and Lear Nagle Road. As part of the Center Ridge Road reconstruction project, storm sewers will be installed which do not currently exist, and should ease storm water runoff issues. As of the printing of this newsletter, the millage had not been certified by the county auditor. Based on the May 2014 ballot issue, the millage was .86-mill levy which would have cost homeowners about $30.10/year per $100,000 of fair market value. It is anticipated the November issue will be about the same calculation or slightly less.
In addition, legislation is being prepared to move forward with placing an income tax increase on the November ballot. The current income tax rate in North Ridgeville is 1% and provides for a .10 percent tax credit for residents working outside the city resulting in a .9% tax rate for most of the city’s residents. The proposed increase of .85% will raise the total tax rate to 1.85% with an offsetting tax credit resulting in no additional tax to most residents working outside the city. The proposed income tax increase will generate approximately $2.6-2.8 million in additional revenue. The additional revenue is needed to fund the increasing cost of operations as well as capital projects to include road improvements, safety equipment, and bridge repairs, to name just a few.
The voters will also see on the November ballot a proposed charter amendment to the City’s Charter. Section 8.6 of Article VIII, Planning Commission, currently states the commission shall meet at least once a month. The proposed amendment is to eliminate the requirement for monthly meetings when there are no applications or issues pending before the body.
As previously mentioned, the above three ballot issues are in the process of being finalized. As more information becomes available, it will be posted on the city’s website. If you have any questions, please call the Mayor’s Office at (440) 353-0811.