The revenue increase could generate approximately $4 million annually, enabling the City to eliminate various fees while expanding services without borrowing. Mayor Burke frames the proposal strategically: “That $4 million could eliminate residents’ current rubbish fees and frontage fees for sewers. We could offer more services, possibly do more streets without having to borrow money, resulting in the reduction of the City’s financial burdens.” Recent experiences have shaped residents’ understanding of municipal finance. A failed November ballot initiative for traffic cameras on Interstate 480 demonstrated missed revenue opportunities.“Had those cameras passed on I-480, the amount of potential revenue that could have been generated could have eliminated the sewer line frontage fees, saving residents nearly $250 a year,” the Mayor notes. Property tax increases from rising home values have created urgency around alternative revenue sources, with residents increasingly recognizing the connection between municipal investment and service quality. LOOKING AHEAD: A DESTINATION CITY Mayor Burke’s vision for Garfield Heights goes beyond traditional suburban development toward creating a regional destination for residents and businesses. The transformation involves shifting community identity from a bedroom community to an active, trendy location where people choose to live, work, and visit. 9 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06 GARFIELD HEIGHTS, OH
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx