Cuyahoga County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Cuyahoga County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Health and human services levy renewal with 2.5-mill increase
Council agreed to ask voters in November to renew and increase the levy that funds child protection, senior services, homelessness programs and more. Several members worried about affordability, but supporters warned that without new money, service cuts and layoffs are likely.
Health and human services levy renewal with increase
The county is asking voters to renew its 4.70-mill HHS levy and add 2.5 mills for ten years to protect services like senior meals, homeless services, and child support programs. The executive says federal and state cuts have left the county as the last safety net.
New county corrections center financing ($984.5M bonds)
The county is spending big on justice facilities: $2.4 million for testing/inspection on the new Corrections Services Campus and $6.7 million for design-build of the Juvenile Court Community Correctional Facility.
Court security and justice facilities spending
This ordinance governs how the dedicated sales tax fund for the courthouse and jail can be spent. The fight was over whether operating expenses stay in — critics worry fund money will substitute for general fund dollars, supporters say the broader language protects the county's bond rating and avoids costly IRS yield restrictions.
Gilbane design-build contract amendment for Central Services Campus
Council locked in the guaranteed maximum price for the county's new corrections center and sheriff's offices — a total contract value of about $807 million. This is the county's largest construction project and will define county finances and the justice system for years.
Prosecutor O'Malley letter and jail project legal questions
A letter from the prosecutor arrived the day of the meeting, and Kelly argued council shouldn't vote on anything jail-related until a review group satisfies state law. It hung over every vote taken Monday.