Author: Mike Dudley Sr

Transparency in local government is vital to maintaining public trust and ensuring accountability. In Garfield Heights, residents have relied on regular financial audits to provide a clear understanding of the city’s financial health. However, as of March 26, 2025, no public audits have been released since 2021, creating significant concern among residents about fiscal oversight and transparency.

Why Audits Matter

Financial audits verify that city funds are properly managed, revealing whether there’s a surplus or deficit and if resources are efficiently utilized. This information is crucial for residents, especially amid rising taxes that have forced many to make difficult financial choices between essentials such as food, medicine, utilities, or taxes. Seniors and fixed-income families, already burdened by escalating living costs, need assurance their tax contributions are responsibly managed.

Audit Status and Financial Overview

The available audit reports through 2021 provide clear insights, but the absence of audits since then is troubling. The table below summarizes the audit status for each year:

(Missing audits are highlighted in red to underscore critical transparency gaps.)

Implications for Our Community

The missing audits pose several risks:

• Loss of Public Trust: Without transparency, residents may lose faith in local governance.
• Fiscal Risk: Undetected mismanagement or financial errors could escalate.
• Community Impact: Financial uncertainty may lead to reduced public services and increased hardship.

A Call for Immediate Action

We urge Garfield Heights leadership and the Ohio Auditor of State to promptly address these missing audits. Transparency must be restored to ensure accountability and financial stability for all residents. Immediate steps should be taken to complete and release the overdue audit reports, confirming our city’s commitment to integrity and open governance.

Let’s work together to demand accountability and restore trust in Garfield Heights. Our community deserves nothing less than complete financial transparency.

For updates and to get involved, visit MikeDudleySr.com.

In Garfield Heights, one of the most pressing concerns for residents is the rising cost of property taxes. Homeowners are finding themselves forced to make difficult choices—whether to pay for food, utilities, rent or mortgage, medication, or their taxes. For many, this isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a crisis affecting their daily lives.

While tax revenue is essential for maintaining public services, the burden placed on residents, particularly seniors and those on fixed incomes, is becoming overwhelming. Even with the Homestead Act, which provides some relief to senior homeowners, many are still struggling to keep up with rising costs. The cost of living continues to climb, and for many families, every dollar counts.

Seniors Facing the Hardest Hit

For seniors in Garfield Heights, the issue is even more severe. Many have lived in their homes for decades, only to now find their property taxes increasing at a rate they can’t afford. Fixed incomes don’t adjust to tax hikes, and while the Homestead Act offers discounts, it doesn’t account for the full extent of rising assessments and cost-of-living increases.

For these residents, every tax bill brings an agonizing decision. Should they pay their taxes or buy essential medication? Should they keep their lights on or make their mortgage payment? These aren’t choices anyone should have to make, yet they are the reality for many in Garfield Heights.

Homeowners and Renters Also Struggling

Homeowners aren’t the only ones feeling the squeeze. Renters are indirectly affected as landlords pass rising tax costs onto their tenants through rent increases. This makes it even harder for Garfield Heights families to afford stable housing.

For working families who already struggle with inflation, adding an increased tax burden makes it nearly impossible to stay afloat. Garfield Heights residents are proud of their community and want to continue investing in their homes, but when taxes increase faster than incomes, the dream of homeownership and stability becomes harder to maintain.

As property taxes continue to rise, many homeowners are being forced to sell, unable to keep up with the financial strain. The number of vacant homes is increasing, as some residents find themselves unable to maintain their properties and have no choice but to leave the community they once called home.

Conclusion

Garfield Heights is a strong and resilient community, but its residents shouldn’t have to choose between paying their taxes and affording basic necessities. The conversation about rising taxes needs to be at the forefront of local policy discussions. It’s time for officials to listen, act, and find real solutions that protect homeowners, renters, and especially our seniors from being taxed out of their homes.

If changes aren’t made, many in Garfield Heights will continue to struggle—and that’s something no thriving community should allow to happen. Leadership has failed to address the growing financial strain on residents, and local government continues to ignore this urgent concern. We have a plan, and it’s time for real solutions that put our community first!

In the mid-2000s, Garfield Heights was struggling with abandoned and blighted homes that were dragging down property values and creating safety concerns for residents. Mike Dudley Sr. stepped up during this critical time, becoming a key figure in the fight against urban decay. Through a hands-on approach, Dudley organized community clean-ups, mobilized volunteers, and worked to clear debris from neglected properties, transforming them into cleaner, safer spaces that residents could take pride in. His efforts went beyond temporary fixes; he encouraged responsible property ownership and collaborated with housing authorities to ensure that landlords upheld property standards, helping prevent future blight.

Dudley’s commitment to the community was not only in cleaning up but also in engaging residents, listening to their concerns, and involving them in neighborhood improvement efforts. By promoting a sense of shared responsibility and fostering stronger connections among neighbors, he helped build a foundation for a more resilient community. His actions not only addressed immediate issues of blight but also inspired a renewed sense of pride and unity among Garfield Heights residents, showcasing the impact of dedicated local leadership.

Former Council President Pro Tem Mike Dudley Sr. has long been recognized for his commitment to the principles of transparency, accountability, and integrity within Garfield Heights. Since his election, Dudley has focused on ensuring that the city council operates in line with the values and expectations of its residents, working diligently to maintain a high standard of governance for the community.

Throughout his tenure, Dudley has been instrumental in guiding the city council through various challenges, always prioritizing fairness and responsibility. Known for his dedication to the residents of Garfield Heights, he has consistently worked to foster an environment of cooperation and mutual respect within the council. His emphasis on clear communication and adherence to established rules reflects his belief in strong governance as the foundation of a thriving community.

Dudley’s leadership extends beyond council meetings; he actively engages with the community, listening to residents’ concerns and bringing their voices into the decision-making process. His dedication to creating a transparent government ensures that council actions remain focused on the best interests of Garfield Heights.

As Garfield Heights continues to grow, Former Council President Pro Tem Mike Dudley Sr.’s commitment to accountability and community engagement will be invaluable in supporting a city government that serves everyone. His work exemplifies the values that residents hold dear, making him a vital figure in Garfield Heights’ path forward.

In November 2007, Mike Dudley Sr. was elected to the Garfield Heights City Council during a critical time for the city. Shortly after his election, in 2008, Garfield Heights was declared in a state of fiscal emergency due to significant financial shortfalls. This announcement marked the beginning of a challenging period that required strong leadership and difficult decisions to restore stability.

Councilman Dudley quickly rose to the occasion. One of his first actions was to take decisive steps to reduce government expenses. With leadership, administrative salaries, including those of council members, were reduced. Dudley also reversed a pay raise previously approved by the former council, ensuring that unnecessary expenditures were eliminated. These moves demonstrated a commitment to shared sacrifice among city officials and employees during the city’s financial recovery.

The turnaround was no small feat. It required a combination of strategic cost-cutting, and a commitment to shared responsibility from city employees and residents alike. Through this collective effort, Garfield Heights was able to navigate through its fiscal emergency and emerge stronger.

By 2013, Garfield Heights officially exited fiscal emergency, a milestone celebrated by city leaders and residents. The Auditor of State at the time commended the city for its hard work and sacrifice, highlighting the importance of the difficult choices made to achieve this success. Central to these efforts was Mike Dudley Sr., whose leadership and resolve helped guide the city through one of the most challenging periods in its history.

Dudley’s actions during his tenure on the council reflect his unwavering commitment to the community. He prioritized fiscal responsibility, transparency, and fairness, ensuring that the burden of recovery was shared equitably. His decision to reverse previously approved pay raises and lead by example underscored his dedication to the city’s well-being.

On this Veterans Day, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the men and women who have served our nation with courage, honor, and selflessness. Veterans Day is more than a date on the calendar; it’s a day of remembrance, reflection, and appreciation for the sacrifices made by our military members to protect the freedoms we hold dear.

As a veteran myself, I know that service is not just a job; it’s a commitment that extends beyond the battlefield and into our daily lives. To all my fellow veterans, thank you for your dedication, your bravery, and your unwavering resolve. Each of you represents the highest ideals of our country, and your contributions remind us of the strength and resilience that make this nation great.

To the families of veterans and active-duty service members, we thank you as well. Your support, patience, and strength are the foundation that allows our military to thrive. Your sacrifices are equally valued, and today we honor you alongside those who wear the uniform.

Today, let us also remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice and are no longer with us. Their legacy lives on in the freedom we enjoy, and it is our duty to ensure their memory is honored and preserved for generations to come.

Thank you to all veterans, past and present. May we continue to uphold the values of duty, honor, and country, and may we never forget the price that has been paid for our freedom.

Happy Veterans Day, and may God bless you all.

— Mike Dudley Sr.