Westlake State of the City 2021

John Sobolewski, West Shore Chamber, Tina Roberts, Crocker Park, Mayor Dennis Clough, Nan Baker and Dave Greenspan

Westlake Mayor Dennis Clough presented his State of the City 2021 address hosted by the West Shore Chamber of Commerce at Carrabba’s Italian Grill on Sperry Road Tuesday.

The presentation, cancelled last year due to pandemic shut-down, highlighted the growth and magnitude of the West Shore’s ever-growing center of commerce and community.

It was held before an audience of socially-protected community, civic and business leaders.

Hard to believe, but in the years Clough has been Mayor (1986-present) the city’s general fund balance has grown from $969,000 to $52,759,800. The city’s debt, meanwhile, has fallen while serving a population that has grown from 19,483 in 1986 to 32,729 in 2020.

The city’s tax millage has also fallen from 12.90 mills to 9.52 mills in that time.

Mayor Dennis Clough, Tina Roberts, Crocker Park, Jonathan Sague, UH St. John Medical Cen-ter, Chief Operating Officer, John Sobolewski, West Shore Chamber and Linda Hamann, Manager, Regional Marketing, University Hospitals

Mayor Clough and team have stayed true to the city’s stated objective: “The mission of the City of Westlake, its Mayor, Council and employees, is to enhance the quality of life for all residents by providing the highest level of services in an efficient and cost effective manner.”

Property tax (both residential and commercial) rates rank lowest among all west shore communities (see chart), demand for safety-services remains high, despite a small dip from 2019 to 2020.

Police calls actually fell to 29,142 in 2020 from 37,448 in 2019 and fire calls to 5,204 in 2020 to 5,497 in 2019 (see chart).

On an exciting note, the city is ready to open a new community and senior center adjacent to the Recreation Center this spring. A lot of work was accomplished through the pandemic year and the community will welcome a 28,170 sq. ft. facility located near Tennis Courts at Recreation Center that includes Auditorium, Assembly/Dining Room, Exercise Studio, Fitness Room, Kitchen, Pantry and Courtyard. It is also adjacent to the Rec Center walking trail.

: Prashant Shah, Dave Greenspan, Paula Horner

Click here to view the full slideshow of Mayor Clough’s 2021 State of the City address.

On the community services side, in-person activities were limited last year. But Community Services maintained an active presence in resident lives with many special services in 2020, including: