Thursday night, following the required three public hearings related to the 2024 tax millage rate, the Cleveland City Council approved a maintenance and operation millage rate for the city of 5.056 mills. By doing so, the council agreed not to take a rollback on the millage rate, which will mean an increase of 10.41% over the rollback millage rate.
Cleveland Mayor Josh Turner issued a statement at the end of the final public hearing and prior to the council’s vote, calling on the council to consider rolling back the tax millage rate.
“I realize that as the mayor, I only vote when there is a tie; I realize that probably will not be the case tonight, but in a time we are living in record-high inflation and rising unemployment, I plead with the council to please consider a rollback people are hurting, and I think we should do all we can especially considering we have a balanced budget taking a full rollback, I understand that’s probably not what’s going to happen tonight, and if that’s the case I would encourage you to make preparations to sign the certifications because as I’m not willing to do that tonight, I can’t do that in good conscience,” said Turner.
The city said the increase is needed to support the growing expenses for public safety, public works, and administration.
The proposed tax increase for a home with a $200,000 fair market assessed value would mean a property tax increase of $33.04.
With Mayor Turner declining to sign the resolutions setting the millage rate, Mayor Pro-tem Jeremy McClure was designated to sign on behalf of the council.
