OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Lakewood Finance Committee 2026 Budget Hearings – December 8, 2025

Council Meetings — Friday, December 5, 2025
BodyLakewood, Ohio
SessionCouncil Meetings
DateFriday, December 5, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:40:40

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Why don't we go ahead and get started on the finance committee meeting for Monday, December 8th.

0:06

Thank you everybody for being here.

0:08

We have the full committee here as well as uh Council President Keppel and Mr.

0:12

Evans from Ward 2 and the administration.

0:14

We've got a lot of ground to cover tonight.

0:16

We've even got a break with food coming for everybody to enjoy at the midway point.

0:25

We're gonna have a couple of motions to make, but um, while I get my machine booted up in the proper screens here, what I like to suggest is that we go right into the human services department and keep on schedule the presentation.

0:40

Any um actually I should gesture over where Chad or Director Barry.

0:46

But first, uh council uh members on the committee or or otherwise any opening remarks.

0:51

Just jump right in.

0:52

Jump right in.

0:52

Okay.

0:53

Let's do that, and then we'll we'll circle back to procedural motion.

0:56

So uh without further ado, um human services department.

1:01

Welcome.

1:03

There we go.

1:04

Thank you.

1:05

Uh I'm happy to be here again.

1:08

Present our uh 2026 proposed budget for human services in all of our divisions.

1:14

This is our typical slide you've all seen.

1:16

I can I think go ahead and skip this.

1:18

This is um I've tried to make this a nice and uh illustrative uh presentation.

1:24

Obviously, we have a lot of substance in here, but you know, this is the work that we do every day.

1:29

This is one of our events this summer.

1:32

Uh and this is this is what we're bringing to the community.

1:39

This is our uh overall Department of Human Services accomplishments and kind of strategic goals.

1:46

Um 2025 was a really good year for human services.

1:50

We um got a lot of uh outside funding and we created a lot of new programming, which is what one of our goals has been for many years now is to kind of really increase our programming and our opportunities.

2:04

Now that we're in our new space, we're really coming to our own.

2:07

We uh actually obtained a $17,000 uh national parks grant that allowed us to really update our uh outside space.

2:17

Uh, if you've been over there recently, it's uh really really nice, it's really attractive.

2:22

Obviously, we can't use it right now because we live in Ohio, and why we chose to live here, I don't know.

2:28

But the when the weather is nice, it really attracts a lot of folks.

2:31

And we had a common ground event where over 450 people came and participated.

2:37

There's a whole new space that attracts uh younger, younger folks.

2:42

There's um age-appropriate uh play uh apparatuses and all sorts of great new things.

2:49

Another big thing that we have accomplished this year is the generator's been installed and it is up and running.

2:54

So we are ready and willing and able to address any kind of crisis situations that come up, which as you all know that you know this has happened multiple times now.

3:04

So cove is ready um to uh be open when when there is a crisis which takes the power out, which is uh frequent event.

3:13

Um we've also spent a lot of time training on emergency management and kind of understanding how uh human services as a whole can approach those situations.

3:26

You can see our strategic goals there for 2026.

3:29

We're just again continuing to expand our community outreach.

3:33

Um we're really also looking at our staffing structure and how we have um you know historically done things.

3:40

We're trying to determine how we can uh serve the community better and how we can move staff around or create positions or modify positions that currently exist to really uh satisfy community needs and you know really develop a position and develop a response to um adult crises 18 to 59 because that's always been an area that we haven't really had the opportunity or haven't had the you know, we have the division of aging and youth, and they cover those age ranges, but we've never really had someone or uh an area that's dedicated to that middle age range.

4:16

So we're really kind of uh pushing that this year, and uh a lot of collaboration between us and the safety forces in the city and our community partners.

4:27

More fun photos.

4:28

That's uh a trellis actually was built by one of our uh public works folks on his free time and donated to Cove.

4:36

It's very, very nice.

4:38

Um, but just bringing in a lot of uh beautiful uh beautification to the outdoor space.

4:46

So our first uh budgetary area is our division of aging.

4:50

You all know the core services that we provide.

5:00

I think this year we've expanded our uh early evening programming, we've really promoted the intergenerational program again through like the common ground, and we've collaborated a lot with fire and police again on those um crisis issues.

5:09

Next year we continue to hope to outreach and connect the unconnected residents, um, develop a greater variety of programs and and really broaden um outreach to the underserved groups that exist in our community.

5:24

I think we've done uh a much better job of that as of the last year or so, and I think a lot of the communications that have been coming out of the city through Kevin Wayner, and uh we've also kind of pumped up that area as well, has kind of really helped draw folks in.

5:42

One of the major budgetary highlights of the division of aging is a pretty sizable increase in our contractual services line item for our senior transportation connection contract.

5:52

They are currently going through what everyone is going through when it comes to transportation or provision of any kind of service in the county, and um they have kind of increased their their uh their fees.

6:09

So we've had to uh commensurately raise that contractual services line in by about 126,000 dollars.

6:17

Um that's just an estimate based on previous years.

6:20

Um I think we'll probably come in under that.

6:23

I don't think we're gonna use that whole contractual services line to fulfill that contract.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████16%
Technology and Innovation██████████████14%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████13%
Budget Equity Analysis███████████11%
Parks and Recreation████████8%
Youth Programs████4%
Public Engagement████4%
Public Art████4%
Economic Development████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Lakewood Finance Committee 2026 Budget Hearings – December 8, 2025

The Finance Committee held a budget hearing on Monday, December 8, 2025, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the City Hall Auditorium to review the proposed 2026 comprehensive budget. Presentations were given by the Human Services, Information Technology, Building & Housing, Planning & Development, Law, and Finance departments. The committee also handled several procedural motions, including approval of minutes and substitution of amended ordinances.

Discussion Items

Human Services Department (Director Chad Barry)

  • Director Barry highlighted 2025 accomplishments: a $17,000 national parks grant for outdoor space at Cove, a new generator for emergency operations, a Common Ground event with over 450 attendees, and expanded programming. For 2026, strategic goals include expanding community outreach, restructuring staffing, and addressing adult crises (ages 18–59).
  • Division of Aging: Budget highlights include a $126,000 increase in contractual services for Senior Transportation Connection due to rising costs and reduced outside funding. The city expects to come in under that amount.
  • Division of Youth: 125 backpacks were given out at a back-to-school resource fair (62 to Lakewood families). H2O summer camp is at highest capacity since COVID. A new visitation coach position was created via modification, and a partnership with Job and Family Services for benefits clinics at Cove is planned for 2026.
  • Child Care Scholarship: Spend is consistent, but rising child care costs limit reach. The department is conducting a community needs assessment and coordinating with the school district on Lincoln’s transition to early childhood education.
  • Overall Budget: Salaries reflect a 27th pay period (6% increase) and a halftime FTE increase. The contractual services increase for custodial cleaning (from $14,000 to $43,000) is due to understaffing at Cove. Printing costs drove a 39% increase in “other” expenses.
  • Councilmember Strebig noted Lakewood achieved a perfect score on the HRC Municipal Equality Index for the second year in a row, one of only three cities in Ohio.

Information Technology Division (CIO Michael Coletta)

  • 2025 accomplishments: cybersecurity program implementation (including mandatory training via Ohio Cyber Reserve), e-citation system for Lakewood Municipal Court, completion of PC replacement cycle, and fiber connection to Winterhurst for security cameras.
  • Budget: Professional services increased 147% due to first-year implementation costs for two major software acquisitions. The citywide phone system replacement is pushed to 2027. Discussion covered potential to reduce desk phones by using VoIP and softphones, with 200 city-issued cell phones already in use.
  • New Software: Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software (Tyler Technologies) will replace the 1999 mainframe-based system, moving to a fully cloud-based platform for finance, payroll, and utility billing. Implementation cost is ~$350,000 first year, with annual maintenance of $147,000. Public safety CAD software is also being replaced (year one: $750,000; subsequent years: ~$200,000).
  • The city uses about 30 different software packages; the new ERP will consolidate many functions. Councilmember Baker noted the change management challenge.

Building & Housing Department (Commissioner Chris Parmelee)

  • 2025 metrics: Certificate of code compliance inspections up 19%, complaints up (high grass 40%, proactive inspections up), 1,600 property maintenance cases (up 17%), commercial permits down 6%, residential permits slightly up, total permit volume just over 2,000. Construction valuation reached $169 million, driven by Lakewood Common ($98.5M) and other large projects.
  • Plan reviews: 80% of commercial plans outsourced (two contracted examiners costing ~$45,000/year). Residential plans reviewed in-house, averaging 12–15 days vs. state’s 30-day limit.
  • Accomplishments: Digital archiving of large-scale plans completed for $73,000 (budgeted $120,000). Part-time zoning inspector (Leslie) hired jointly with Planning to enforce sign compliance and awnings. New state licensing matrix for inspectors implemented.
  • High Grass: Increase attributed to new out-of-state landlords and tenant negligence. Enforcement uses stickers on windows, with Public Works cutting at $200 per cut, billed to owner; unpaid fees go on property tax bills.
  • Snow Removal: Process similar to high grass – tags on commercial properties, followed by Public Works if not cleared. Focus on commercial corridors, school neighborhoods.
  • Budget: Professional services increase ($168,000 to $297,500) due to stormwater engineering fees collected through building department. CDBG fund covers one property maintenance inspector for Birdtown.

Planning & Development Department (Director Angela Byington, Assistant Director David Boss)

  • Zoning/Inspections: New zoning inspector Leslie Page opened 95 cases, closed 59, performed 178 inspections (average 27 days to close). Focus on unapproved signage, outdoor dining, and ABR compliance.
  • Major Projects: Lakewood Common (groundbreaking Sept. 2025) and West Line (124 units, 148 parking spaces) are under construction. Approved for 2026: townhomes at Thoreau Place and 120 apartments at View on Detroit East.
  • Parks: Madison Park improvements (Birdtown Connector path, farmers market running 20 weeks with $5,000+ in assistance). Beck’s Pool improvements planned for 2026. Skate park phase two completed with shade element donation. Morrow-Bunts Park and Niagara Park new playgrounds installed.
  • Public Art: 42 traffic signal boxes wrapped with artistic vinyl (11 artists). Online map launched. CDBG funds will support 35 more wraps and 5 bus shelter wraps in 2026.
  • Climate Action: 400 trees given away (up from 200), EV charger at Kaufman Park, 10,000 recycling education magnets distributed. Next year: explore sustainable purchasing, pilot home retrofit, balloon release ordinance, and certifications (Bicycle Friendly Community, SolSmart, Tree Growth Award).
  • Traffic Calming: 18 determinations made in 2025; 38 streets under study. Giel and Woodward qualified for speed tables (spring 2026 installation). $60,000 budget for speed tables ($5,000 each) and radar signs ($2,000 each).
  • Housing/Community Development: $225,000 in CDBG loans/grants; 25 units rehabilitated; $125,000 in storefront renovation grants; $700,000 in social service funding serving 7,400 residents. 1472 Bell Avenue renovation completed and will be marketed to low-moderate income family. Nelson Court phase two initiated.
  • Winterhurst Arena: Locker room renovation and rink space renovation underway (expected completion April-June 2026). HVAC replacement pushed to 2027 due to higher-than-expected costs. Arena operating reserve at $57,000 (up from $14,000). New scoreboards operational. Revenue from scoreboard advertising being explored.

Law Department (Director Ernie Vargo)

  • Department staff includes two prosecutors with considerable experience, Assistant Law Director Jeff Crossman (19 years development experience), and Assistant Director Jen Swallow (long institutional knowledge). Two part-time law clerks support prosecutors.
  • Budget increase of ~11% mainly to raise prosecutor salaries to be more competitive. Professional services budget decreased from $146,000 to $107,000; actual 2025 spend is only $36,000, so lower spending expected.
  • Director Vargo noted the prosecutors have strong credibility with the judge and magistrates. The department’s cohesive professionalism was commended.

Finance Department (Director Mahoney, Assistant Director Eddy, Samantha Nicastro)

  • Tax Collections: Income tax accounts for 55% of general fund revenue. Over 30,000 tax returns audited annually. Tax rate unchanged since 1981. E-files have increased, though the website is a common complaint. Cost of collections under 4% of $33 million collected.
  • Utility Billing: Collects $31 million per year, sends 14,000 bills monthly. New payment platform envisioned with Tyler ERP system, allowing residents to pay utility bills, taxes, and other fees in one place.
  • Vitals: Birth/death certificates issued at $25 (set by state). Since 2025, can issue death certificates statewide, causing a massive uptick (230 in two weeks vs. 50-80/month previously). The department is not required but provides a slight positive revenue.
  • New ERP System: Tyler Technologies will replace the 25-year-old system. First-year implementation estimated at $350,000, annual maintenance $147,000. New system will include general ledger, payroll, utility billing, and content management for contracts.
  • Credit Card Fees: Currently the city absorbs the ~3% transaction fee. A new fee ordinance will allow the city to pass on the fee to residents, which could generate over $300,000 annually, more than covering the ERP system cost.

Key Outcomes

  • Procedural Motions: The committee unanimously voted to receive and file communications items 10, 11, and 12 (salary ordinance, benefits update, composting resolution).
  • Substitute Amendments: The committee voted to substitute updated versions of Ordinances 33-2025, 34-2025, 35-2025, and 36-2025 as proposed by the administration (technical corrections and updates to contracting authority language).
  • Next Steps: Council members will continue working on budget priorities and potential amendments over the next week, with a follow-up meeting scheduled for Monday, December 15, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. (Council night) to finalize the budget.

Meeting Transcript

Why don't we go ahead and get started on the finance committee meeting for Monday, December 8th. Thank you everybody for being here. We have the full committee here as well as uh Council President Keppel and Mr. Evans from Ward 2 and the administration. We've got a lot of ground to cover tonight. We've even got a break with food coming for everybody to enjoy at the midway point. We're gonna have a couple of motions to make, but um, while I get my machine booted up in the proper screens here, what I like to suggest is that we go right into the human services department and keep on schedule the presentation. Any um actually I should gesture over where Chad or Director Barry. But first, uh council uh members on the committee or or otherwise any opening remarks. Just jump right in. Jump right in. Okay. Let's do that, and then we'll we'll circle back to procedural motion. So uh without further ado, um human services department. Welcome. There we go. Thank you. Uh I'm happy to be here again. Present our uh 2026 proposed budget for human services in all of our divisions. This is our typical slide you've all seen. I can I think go ahead and skip this. This is um I've tried to make this a nice and uh illustrative uh presentation. Obviously, we have a lot of substance in here, but you know, this is the work that we do every day. This is one of our events this summer. Uh and this is this is what we're bringing to the community. This is our uh overall Department of Human Services accomplishments and kind of strategic goals. Um 2025 was a really good year for human services. We um got a lot of uh outside funding and we created a lot of new programming, which is what one of our goals has been for many years now is to kind of really increase our programming and our opportunities. Now that we're in our new space, we're really coming to our own. We uh actually obtained a $17,000 uh national parks grant that allowed us to really update our uh outside space. Uh, if you've been over there recently, it's uh really really nice, it's really attractive. Obviously, we can't use it right now because we live in Ohio, and why we chose to live here, I don't know. But the when the weather is nice, it really attracts a lot of folks. And we had a common ground event where over 450 people came and participated. There's a whole new space that attracts uh younger, younger folks. There's um age-appropriate uh play uh apparatuses and all sorts of great new things. Another big thing that we have accomplished this year is the generator's been installed and it is up and running. So we are ready and willing and able to address any kind of crisis situations that come up, which as you all know that you know this has happened multiple times now. So cove is ready um to uh be open when when there is a crisis which takes the power out, which is uh frequent event. Um we've also spent a lot of time training on emergency management and kind of understanding how uh human services as a whole can approach those situations. You can see our strategic goals there for 2026. We're just again continuing to expand our community outreach. Um we're really also looking at our staffing structure and how we have um you know historically done things. We're trying to determine how we can uh serve the community better and how we can move staff around or create positions or modify positions that currently exist to really uh satisfy community needs and you know really develop a position and develop a response to um adult crises 18 to 59 because that's always been an area that we haven't really had the opportunity or haven't had the you know, we have the division of aging and youth, and they cover those age ranges, but we've never really had someone or uh an area that's dedicated to that middle age range. So we're really kind of uh pushing that this year, and uh a lot of collaboration between us and the safety forces in the city and our community partners. More fun photos. That's uh a trellis actually was built by one of our uh public works folks on his free time and donated to Cove. It's very, very nice. Um, but just bringing in a lot of uh beautiful uh beautification to the outdoor space. So our first uh budgetary area is our division of aging.

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