Parma council adopts 2026 budget and approves several measures; list of votes and referrals

At its March 16 meeting Parma City Council adopted the city's 2026 appropriations ordinance and voted to approve a trio of measures under suspension of the rules while sending a multi-part property-maintenance package back to committee.

Budget: Council moved, waived rule 52 and placed Ordinance 153-25 (2026 appropriations) on third reading as amended (to accept Exhibit A). On roll call the ordinance passed; the auditor had described the general fund permanent appropriations requested as $78,353,471 (about a 3.4% increase over last year) and noted adjustments including a $575,000 transfer from laborers to the vehicle income tax fund and other fund reassignments that reduced the general fund by $718,890.

Suspension/adopted items: Council adopted Ordinance 40-26 under suspension of the rules to amend section 173.125 of the Parma codified ordinances to properly staff Ridgewood Golf Club and Event Center ahead of its March 18 opening. Council also adopted Ordinance 42-26, an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation for a shared-use path along South Park Boulevard; the engineer presented an estimated project cost of approximately $1,100,000 with ODOT funding about $300,000, ODNR $297,000, and a city share of about $443,000. Construction is expected to begin in summer and finish by Nov. 15.

Referrals: A suite of ordinances (29-33 series) concerning tree removal, sidewalk maintenance and the definition of public nuisance were moved for second reading and referred back to the public service committee for further detail on property selection, funding, and implementation.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the transcript):
- Ordinance 153-25 (2026 appropriations) ' Adopted by roll call; recorded yes votes included Schuman, Soter, Wilson, Zacharias, Boyd, Divis, Early, Koosmall, and Lein. (Transcript roll call: SEG 2416-2434)
- Ordinance 40-26 ' Adopted under suspension of rules; roll-call yes recorded. (SEG 2524-2557)
- Ordinance 42-26 (ODOT shared-use path) ' Adopted; roll call yes recorded; engineer reported funding breakdown and schedule. (SEG 2560-2625)
- Ordinances 29-33 (tree/sidewalk package) ' Moved for second reading and referred back to public service committee for refinement (SEG 1698-1816).

Next steps: Staff will provide follow-up materials (funding and selection criteria) for the tree/sidewalk package and the administration will supply council with rate information tied to NOPEC's upcoming mailing.