Security upgrades key to 2025 operating, capital budgets passed by Solon council

SOLON, Ohio – Upgrades to security are a key part of both the city’s operating and capital budgets for 2025.

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City Council approved both budgets at its final meeting of the year Monday (Dec. 16). The appropriations are effective Jan. 1.

The general-fund operating budget of about $53.8 million for 2025 is 5.2 percent above the city’s original budget for this year, Finance Director Matt Rubino told council’s Finance Committee at a budget hearing in November.

The all-funds operating budget for 2025 – including the general fund and other operating funds – is about $77.9 million.

The operating budget includes funding for three new full-time positions: an armed security officer at City Hall, at a salary of $60,000; a police officer, at a salary of $86,000; and an events coordinator in the recreation department, at a salary of $55,000.

The $37.9 million capital budget for 2025 includes $250,000 for interior security upgrades at City Hall.

A metal detector will be installed at the front entrance to City Hall, William Drsek, the city’s public works commissioner, told council at a Dec. 2 budget hearing.

Everyone who enters City Hall will have to pass through the detector, he said.

If they enter with a package, they will have to place it in a drawer, and if the metal detector goes off, the security officer will check the contents of the package, he said.

“I know that we’re looking at security around the city,” Ward 3 Councilman Jeremy Zelwin said.

“So my request is, as we go through the comprehensive security plan, that the police chief signs off on any security representative – whether it’s a security guard, police officer or whatever it is – that will be on the city premises.”

Zelwin also requested that as part of the city’s planning for next year that it develop “a complete, comprehensive safety plan for the city in general.”

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“I know that the (Solon) Schools, unfortunately, have had to take that step over the past 25 years or so due to all of the (shooting) incidents that have happened at (other) school districts,” he said.

“My request is that we have a complete safety plan put in place for city facilities, as well. I know we’re starting that, but I want it to be comprehensive to include all city-owned and run buildings.”

In relation to the capital budget, Zelwin noted the city has done some design work and studies on a firing range for the police department.

“I know those have been concentrated in the area where the current firing range is,” he said.

“My request is, as part of these studies, that we do an analysis to see if it’s more cost effective for the police department and the city to attach that firing range to the police department.”

Zelwin asked Rubino if an amendment to the budget would be required for that request.

“I don’t think so because the design is currently under contract,” Rubino said.

“If we have to do a change order, then we’d request additional funding for that change order.”

Zelwin then requested that such a change order be brought to council’s Safety and Public Properties Committee and eventually to council for final approval.

Zelwin asked Mayor Ed Kraus if the administration was OK with his requests related to security.

Kraus replied, “Sure.”

More than 50 percent of the 2025 capital budget is earmarked for infrastructure projects, Kraus said at a budget hearing.

The 2025 capital budget also includes about $6.5 million of the $12.1 million that council approved Dec. 2 for Phase 2 to improvements at Solon Community Park.

The remainder is expected to be appropriated in 2026, Rubino said.

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Several council members expressed satisfaction with both the operating and capital budgets for 2025.

“One of the most important things we do on council is passing the budget,” Ward 4 Councilman Mike Kan said.

“A budget isn’t just a piece of paper with numbers on it, but it’s a set of values. I’m proud that this council was able to pass this budget.”

Kan, a member of council’s Finance Committee, also thanked Rubino for “always being patient with us and explaining everything.”

“I’m glad to see 2024 ending with 1 to 1.5 percent surplus for our budget,” he said.

Vice Mayor and Ward 5 Councilwoman Nancy Meany said, “I’m really excited about so many of our capital items that we have going forward (next) year.”

Wage increases approved

Also on Monday, council approved wage increases not to exceed 4 percent in 2025 for full-time and part-time employees not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

In addition, the ordinance states that non-bargaining full-time and part-time employees may be eligible for a one-time payment in 2025 in an amount not to exceed $1,500.

Merit bonuses shall be given to employees whose work was “exceptional and considered significantly above average in 2024 based on a system established by the mayor, department heads and a member of City Council,” the ordinance states.

Some meeting dates changed

In other action, council voted to cancel its Jan. 6 meeting and to reschedule its Jan. 20 and Feb. 17 meetings.

The Jan. 20 meeting, which falls on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, was rescheduled to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21. The Feb. 17 meeting has been moved to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 in observance of Presidents’ Day.

Meany said if council needs to take action on something in early January, it would schedule a special meeting.