Highland Heights heard the first reading of an ordinance Tuesday night that would raise the occupational license fee, a tax on wages paid by anyone working within the city limits, from 1.0% to 1.5%.
City Administrator Michael Giffen explained how the wage can assist with future city development.
“The additional revenue will allow the city to undertake several projects that have been identified over the last several years and through the recent comprehensive plan update,” Giffen said. “The city is in the first phase of the Commons at Highland Heights, a huge park project, which has 3 other phases planned that need funding. This change will also allow us to pursue larger grant projects, such as the Sunset Drive realignment and cover the costs of new sidewalks on North US-27.”
According to Highland Heights Mayor Greg Meyers, the potential raise “helps keep the city a great place to live.”
If the raise passes, it would go into effect Jan. 1, 2026.