Rocky River Scoreboard
Rocky River Scoreboard's goal is to identify and promote key strengths of Rocky River as a community to live, work, raise a family and enjoy recreational pursuits.
Rocky River Municipal Court
Key Community Institution Contributing to Public Safety & Justice
GEOGRAPHY: Rocky River Municipal Court serves five West Shore communities (Rocky River, Bay Village, Fairview Park, North Olmsted and Westlake). The key personnel responsible for the court’s operation are the municipal court judges and the clerk of courts.
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RESPONSIBILITIES: Municipal courts have several key responsibilities: 1) Misdemeanor Criminal Cases such as petty theft, and disorderly conduct; 2) Civil Cases under $15,000; 3) Small Claims under $6,000; 4) Traffic Violations; 5) Probation and other community-based services to support rehabilitation; 6) Mediation Services to help resolve disputes outside of court.
Judge Hagan
Judge Burke
JUDGES RESPONSIBILITIES: Two Rocky River Municipal Court judges (Presiding Judge Brian Hagan, Judge Joseph Burke) are elected every six years. The judges’ responsibilities include: 1) Presiding over cases; 2) Ensuring Fair Trials in accordance with the law; 3) Issuing Rulings on motions, evidence, and the final verdicts in cases; 4) Sentences for convicted individuals; 5) Court Administrative Duties.
COURT ACTIVITY: Activity at Rocky River Municipal Court increased in 2024. The court dealt with over 15,100 incoming cases and had over 14,500 terminations.
Clerk of Courts
Deborah Comery
Deputy Clerk Forsythe
CLERK OF COURT: The efficient operation of the court is maintained by the municipal court clerk. The key responsibilities of clerks include: 1) Maintaining All Court Records; 2) Filing Legal Documents & Maintaining the Court Docket; 3) Assisting the Public with court information; 4) Collecting court fees, fines, & costs; 5) Issuing Summons & Subpoenas. Rocky River’s Clerk of Courts is also elected every six years. The current clerk is Deborah Comery, who is assisted by appointed Deputy Clerk Holly Forsythe.
For more information, read the summary
How Does the City of Rocky River Tax & Spend Its Resources?
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Rocky River's total revenue in 2022 was $46 million or $2,275 per resident. Total expenses in 2022 were $35.5 million or $1,758 per capita.
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The largest sources of revenue were income taxes ($21.7 million/47%/$1,072 per capita) and property taxes ($10.0 million/22%/$497 per capita).
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The largest current expenditures were for security ($10.8 million/30%/$535 per capita) and general government $5.9 million/17%/$294 per capita). Capital outlays for 2022 were $6.7 million.
What Services Does Rocky River City Government Offer?
Rocky River's 2021 audit report provides an overview of many of the city's operating indicators for its services. In 2022, the city provided the following:
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Police department responded to 509 motor vehicle accidents.
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Fire department had 21 building fire calls and 2700 emergency medical calls.
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Municipal courts handled about 6,700 criminal and traffic cases.
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Refuse department collection about 8,500 tons of garbage.
How Is Rocky River City Government Staffed?
The City of Rocky River employed 201 persons in 2022. Forty-four worked on general government activities, 35 for the police department and 30 for the fire department.
Rocky River Capital Assets
The annual audit provides a summary of the buildings, vehicles, infrastructure and other assets required to provide city services in Rocky River.
Rocky River Crime Trend (2016-21)
From 2016 to 2021, total major reported crime averaged 84 per year with ahigh of 97 in 2021. Violent crime average 7 per year and property crime 76. The most common crime was larceny/theft.
Rocky River- One of America's Safest Cities
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One of local government's key responsibilities is ensuring public safety. Compared to most cities, Rocky River has a very low crime rate.
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Based on FBI crime statistics, Rocky River's 2020 crime rate was only about 39 per 100,000 residents, compared to about 240 per 100,00 for Ohio.
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It ranks among the best among all West Shore communities and about 3rd in Greater Cleveland. Neighborhood Scout's crime index rates the city better than 91% of US cities.
Hear About Rocky River's New Police Station
Coming soon- video explaining why new police station was needed and how it was funded .
Coming Soon
