Cuyahoga Falls City Council President Russ Balthis

About Russ

As your Council President and Councilmember-at-Large, I’m proud to represent all of Cuyahoga Falls’ residents. I am focused on making the our community a great place to live, work, and raise a family and a place where people from all walks of life and all points of view feel welcome.

I am committed to this work, and to doing it collaboratively, transparently, and with you— the residents— always at the front of mind.

Prior to being on City Council, I worked on Mayor Don Walters’ team for several years. In this role, I dug into the functional issues we all care about: containing costs, maintaining a beautiful community, offering services to those who need it, and ensuring we can all be safe as we live in, work in, and visit Cuyahoga Falls.

I worked with Mayor Walters to increase the economic opportunities available in Cuyahoga Falls, including Front Street, Portage Crossings, and projects like moving the Developmental Disabilities Board of Summit County into Cuyahoga Falls, bringing more than a hundred jobs to our community.

As the city’s law director, I had a leading role in negotiations like the DD Board moving to Cuyahoga Falls, developing relationships with the major employers in our community, and connecting with all the local stakeholders in economic development. I have also served as Chief of Legal Services for the Ohio Attorney General, dealing with complex legal issues facing our state and our communities.

Committees Served as Part of Mayor Walters’ Team

  • Board of Control. 2014 to 2020

  • Loan and Grant Committee. 2014 to 2020

  • City Investment Committee. 2014 to 2020

Education

  • Economics and Political Science BA, The Ohio State University, 2004 (cum laude)

  • Doctor of Law (JD), University of Akron Law School, 2007

  • Taxation MA, University of Akron, 2008

Community Service

  • Alcohol, Drug Addiction, Mental Health Services Board (ADAMHS) Board of Summit County. Board member (2007-2009)

  • Workforce Advocacy for Youth. Board member (2012-present)

  • CHC Addiction Services Executive. Board member (2014-present)

  • Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates. Board member (2014-present)

I currently am employed as Senior Attorney with the Ohio firm Squire Patton Boggs in their Public & Infrastructure Finance Practice, where I work in all areas of municipal finance, with a focus on economic development.