Operation Paintbrush is Rolling

Each year the City of Lakewood, Division of Community Development (DCD) hires contractors to wash, scrape and paint income-eligible homes. Eligible home owners receive free paint and labor through the Operation Paintbrush program. The program assists home owners while at the same time addresses neighborhood eyesores to help protect property values.

Above are examples of this year's program, still underway. The program has a new requirement this year: all participating properties must choose from pre-approved, historically accurate color palettes. The results are dramatic.

Some property owners who are cited for chipped paint may qualify for this program. More more details, or to participate in 2010, click here.

Your Voting Location May Have Changed

The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections has made changes to voting precinct boundaries and voting locations in our community. Voters need to know their correct precinct and voting location. When voters cast a ballot on Election Day, they are required to vote in their correct voting location and precinct.

All voters who are affected by these changes received a Voter Location Notification (V.L.N.) card from the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections informing them of their new precinct, and in some cases, their new voting location.

Voters can confirm their precinct and voting location at any time by visiting the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections Web site at http://www.boe.cuyahogacounty.us/. This information can be found by clicking on the blue “Voters” button and following the prompts to find voting location and precinct information.

Voters who do not have computer access may call the Voter Information Hotline, 216-443-3298, and ask for their precinct and voting location.

Click here for the new Lakewood Precinct Map.

Lakewood High School West Wing

Last night I had the honor of speaking at the grand opening of the newly renovated West Wing of Lakewood High School. I would estimate at least a thousand people in attendance- it was a fantastic event.

The new wing looks great, and will provide an improved learning environment for the students. I was especially impressed with how new technology is being integrated into the classrooms.

The completion of this renovation comes on the heels of the the "Excellent" rating recently given our school system by the Ohio Department of Education.

For more information about our public schools, visit their website at: www.lakewoodpublicschools.org.

Wanna Buy a Cushman?

The City of Lakewood will be disposing of certain forfeited, confiscated, obsolete and
surplus items through GovDeals.com online auction service.

We've ended our usual Spring and Autumn auctions at City Hall. Now, items are added monthly as they become available throughout the year, so check back frequently to see the current items. You can inspect items before bidding (by appointment). To see a list of auction items, including the opportunity to own your very own Cushman Cart, visit here, or click on the "City Auctions" link on the onelakewood.com home page.

Email purchasing@lakewoodoh.net to schedule an appointment or for answers to any of your questions.

Thanks to Your Votes...

After 31 days of voting and strong “get-out-the-vote” campaigns by all of the nine finalists, the residents of Northeast Ohio have made their choice and determined the three EfficientGovNow collaboration projects that will receive grants from the Fund for Our Economic Future. A total of 13,483 qualified votes were cast from every corner of the 16-county region. Lakewood, together with outher Westshoe communities won a grant of $100,000 to research assembling the Westshore Regional Fire District Project.

The Westshore Council of Governments is working toward a comprehensive regionalization of its entire Fire and EMS operations, which covers more than 75 square miles and serves more than 250,000 residents. The intent of the fire district is to provide the most cost effective solution to the emergency needs of its constituents by utilizing the economies of scale corporate model. By autumn of 2009, partners expect to employ an experienced firm to direct the multifaceted regional fire district transition, and would use funding toward that end. Read the proposal here.

Copy credit to www.advancenortheastohio.org

Balanced Budget Update

General Fund Revenues are currently slightly above (at 66%) the overall estimate at this point of the year, but is due to the timing of Property Tax disbursements - the City receives all of theses funds during the first half of the year. Several revenues to watch since they are significantly below budget as of July 31st, which are indicative of the economy, are: Building Permits (41%); Net Profit Income Taxes (48%); and Interest Earnings (37%).

Overall General Fund Expenditures are still slightly below budget (54%), and are lower than actual expenditures at this point in time in 2007, which means the City is continuing to keep its expenditures in check.

However, the City's greatest challenge currently is its revenues. Attached is an analysis of revenues as of July 31, 2009.

Combined known and projected decreases in Income Taxes, Property Taxes, Local Government Funds, and Interest Earnings has caused the City to project its 2010 General Fund Revenues at slightly above $34.0 million, or the City's 2005 revenue level.

Therefore, the City faces the challenge of expenditure levels for 2010 with revenue levels of five years ago.

For more information regarding the City of Lakewood's Finances, go to: http://www.onelakewood.com/Finance/Default.aspx, or email Jennifer.Pae [AT] lakewoodoh.net for a copy of the actual expenditure report.

CDBG Funding Process Commences

As a city with a population of more than 50,000 people, the City of Lakewood is a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement community. HUD awards CDBG grants to entitlement community grantees to carry out a wide range of community development activities directed toward revitalizing neighborhoods, economic development, and providing improved community facilities and services. We expect to receive more than $2,000,000 in FY2010.

The City of Lakewood develops its own programs and funding priorities. However, grantees like Lakewood must give maximum feasible priority to activities which benefit low- and moderate-income persons. This process is administered by the Department of Planning and Development, and starts each year with proposals to the Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) which makes recommendations to City Council on how those dollars are spent.

All residents are encouraged to participate by sharing how you think those dollars should be spent. There are two public hearings to share your funding priorities, and a slough of more information (too much for a blog post) available elsewhere on our site. If you’re interested, tell the CAC your funding priorities – is it housing? Roads? Or some other eligible funding? Let the CAC know.