2026 State of the City Address – February 17, 2026

The City of Green held its annual State of the City Address on February 17, 2026, convened as a special City Council meeting. Mayor Rocco Yurigan delivered the featured address, which opened with a historical prologue about Green’s local inventors and then covered city accomplishments, financial stewardship, infrastructure projects, public safety innovations, parks investments, and community partnerships. The meeting also included remarks from Ohio Magazine editor Jim Vickers, who presented Green with the magazine’s “Best Hometown” award, and a financial overview from Finance Director Shelley Goodrich.

Opening & Recognitions

• Council President Justin Spate called the meeting to order, noting that per the city charter the mayor provides an annual presentation to council.
• The Green High School Air Force Junior ROTC Color Guard presented the nation’s colors, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Cadet Technical Sergeant Matthew Hollingsworth.
• Spate recognized many elected officials in attendance, including Ohio State Representative Jack Daniels, State Auditor Keith Faber, Summit County Executive Eileen Shapiro, judges, law director Lisa Carey Dean, New Franklin Mayor Steve Rector, Green Local School Board members, Superintendent Jeff Miller, and several city council members.
• Council member Jeff Noble was unable to attend in person.

Ohio’s Best Hometown Award

• Mayor Yurigan noted that Ohio Magazine named Green one of the state’s best hometowns.
• Editor Jim Vickers presented a framed magazine cover to the mayor, praising Green’s friendliness, parks, community spirit, and restaurants. He thanked residents for creating a great community.

Progress on a Unified Zip Code

• Mayor Yurigan reported that legislation (HR 395, later numbered HR 3095 in the transcript) was introduced in the U.S. House in April 2025 and passed in July, thanks to Representative Amelia Sykes. The bill would assign a single zip code to Green, replacing the current five different zip codes that do not bear the city’s name.
• A video clip showed Rep. Sykes speaking on the House floor in support of the bill.
• The bill now sits in the U.S. Senate. Mayor Yurigan met with staff of Senators John Husted and Bernie Moreno in early November, and they were receptive. A Washington, D.C. lobbyist has been hired.
• As of September 2025, the U.S. Post Office notified Green that every address in the city can use “Green, Ohio” as the preferred city name.
• Residents and businesses are asked to use “Green” in their addresses and to submit letters of support on the city’s website to help get the zip code bill through the Senate.

Financial Report

• Finance Director Shelley Goodrich reported 2025 revenues of $51.3 million, with $30.6 million from income taxes (a 1.83% increase over 2024) and $20.7 million from other sources.
• Revenue growth has slowed post-pandemic, and cost pressures from inflation, employee wages, benefits, and tariffs are rising.
• Operating expenses totaled $47.2 million in 2025.
• The city ended 2025 with a reserve balance of $21.7 million, described as a strong financial position.
• Goodrich emphasized disciplined spending and conservative forecasting going forward.

Infrastructure & Development

• Construction will begin in summer 2026 on a two-year Arlington Road widening project ($17 million total, 80% funded by federal grants), adding two lanes in each direction, roundabouts at Southwood and Butler Roads, a multipurpose path, and sidewalks.
• A roadway extension connecting Southwood to Tabbs Drive is nearing completion, improving connectivity for more than 600 homes.
• Residential street repaving will continue, and a small section of sidewalk will be added on South Pain Street at Alderwood Hills Drive.
• New businesses that opened in 2025 include Seven Brew, The Industry Restaurant, Broncos Barbershop, Devil Strip Barbershop, Bath and Body Works, Hillshirt Clark Electric, Paco Pollet, Atlantic Seafood, Foxtrot Aviation Services, and Today’s Classroom. Chick-fil-A was approved in November and is planned to be built in front of Target (former Crazy Chicken location), with traffic concerns being addressed.

Public Safety & Mental Health Program

• The city hired a part-time licensed independent social worker, Layla Hillet (PhD, chemical dependency counselor), to follow up with individuals whose 911 calls involved mental health concerns. She has completed 121 successful follow-up visits.
• Layla obtained a grant for medication lockboxes and trained fire department staff on effective interactions with autistic patients, using a donation from Ron Marhoffer Hyundai of Green to outfit medic units with sensory equipment.
• Goals for 2026 include instituting a medication-assisted treatment program for opioid addiction, developing a peer support program for firefighters, and working with community partners on suicide prevention.
• The mayor highlighted a July 2025 double rescue: a pregnant woman collapsed in cardiac arrest, and quick action by her stepson, neighbors, and fire medics saved both mother and baby.
• Summit County Sheriff’s Office deputies will transition their primary workspace to the central administration building effective this month (February 2026).

Parks & Recreation

• The Center for Recreation and Education (the CORE) opened two months prior, providing indoor recreation space for youth and adult activities (basketball, soccer, walking track, group fitness).
• Public restrooms will be added at Kriegbaum Park in 2026.
• The Willowdale Trail (nearly one mile extension and loop connecting Bentler and Southgate Parks to Coons Road) was dedicated on Arbor Day, funded 100% by grants.
• The Cleckner Adaptive Sports Field (first adaptive field in Ohio by the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation) opened in June 2025, paid by grants, sponsorships, and the foundation. A new pavilion is being added, initiated by Green Leadership Class 4 (raised more than $14,000).
• A joint bus garage and storage building with public restrooms at Cleckner Park, in partnership with Green Local Schools, is set to open later in 2026. When completed, every active park in Green will have permanent public restrooms.
• The summer concert series (presented by Sarah Auto Park) will continue in 2026, along with other signature events like Freedom Fest, Artapalooza, and Twisted Wilderfest, with an America 250 theme.
• Mayor Yurigan will hold monthly “Mayor’s Morning Meetups” at different parks, starting May 29, 2026.

Community Partnerships & Highlights

• The city is collaborating with the Green Community Improvement Corporation to launch a destination marketing study to better define and promote Green as a visitor destination.
• A public art personality quiz was distributed at the meeting to gather resident input for a future public art installation.
• The Green Community Fund awarded $15,000 in grants in 2025 to eight local nonprofits (YMCA, Green Soccer Association, First Tee, MAPS Air Museum, Blessings in a Backpack, Green Good Neighbors, Rail Foundation, Fellowship Works) and will give another $25,000 in 2026.
• John Pearsall, president of the Green Soccer Association, was recognized as Volunteer of the Year for building a youth soccer program with inclusive programs (Goal program for children with disabilities, scholarships, free gear).
• The Grade 8 Race Series raised more than $250,000 in 2025 (five-year total more than $600,000) for local organizations.
• When SNAP benefits were stalled in November, the community (led by Blessings in a Backpack) organized food distribution at the Green Branch Library and Fire Station.
• Two new school buildings (Green Elementary and Green Primary) opened in August 2025 on time and under budget, featuring modern learning spaces.
• CAK airport now has 24 direct flights (most ever), passenger traffic increased 23.5% over 2024, and Breeze Airways established its first Midwest crew base in Green, bringing three stationed aircraft and jobs.
• A rickshaw ride pilot in Central Park for senior residents was well-received, opening parks to those who might not otherwise enjoy them.

Key Outcomes

• Green was officially recognized as one of Ohio’s Best Hometowns by Ohio Magazine.
• The unified zip code bill awaits action in the U.S. Senate; the city has hired a lobbyist and is soliciting letters of support.
• The city ended 2025 with a healthy reserve balance of $21.7 million despite slowed revenue growth and rising costs.
• Major infrastructure projects are underway: Arlington Road widening (summer 2026), Southwood to Tabbs Drive extension, and annual residential street repaving.
• A mental health outreach program with a licensed social worker has been implemented, with 121 follow-up visits in its first year.
• New park amenities include the CORE, Willowdale Trail, Cleckner Adaptive Sports Field, upcoming restrooms at Kriegbaum and a joint bus garage/restroom at Cleckner.
• The public art initiative and destination marketing study are in progress, with resident input being collected.
• Partnerships with Green Local Schools continue to save taxpayer dollars and deliver improved facilities (new schools, joint bus garage).