Cuyahoga County voters are scheduled to decide five countywide questions on Nov. 3, according to Signal Cleveland. Issues 10 through 14 combine two tax measures with three proposed changes to county government. Early voting is set to begin Oct. 6.
Issue 10 would raise property taxes for the Board of Developmental Disabilities, which serves about 15,000 residents from birth through adulthood. A levy passed in 2005 no longer keeps up with rising costs and caseloads, board leadership has said. CEO Amber Gibbs told County Council that a 2024 state-law pay raise for caretakers was needed and contributed to costs. The proposed 2.25-mill levy would last 10 years, cost $79 per $100,000 of property value annually, and raise $99.7 million for a board with a roughly $177 million budget.
Issue 11 would renew and increase health and human services taxes. Existing levies raise around $279 million yearly for safety-net programs, including children in county custody, senior services, universal pre-K, MetroHealth and the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board. Director Dave Merriman told council that costs and work to offset federal cuts are expected to grow. A county fact sheet projects a $3.1 million year-end balance for safety-net services and future deficits. The 4.7-mill renewal plus 2.5-mill increase would cost $196 per $100,000 in property value, an $87.50 increase, and raise $261.5 million over 10 years.
Issue 12 would require council approval before the county executive removes appointed board members. Council Member Sunny Simon said she proposed it after County Executive Chris Ronayne asked a port board member to resign and she learned council had no removal role.
Issue 13 would assign the law department legal advice, non-litigated employment matters, and contracts, while leaving prosecutor powers intact; the source describes it as a compromise.
Issue 14 would let County Council appoint four of nine Charter Review Commission members, with the executive appointing four and one chosen jointly.
RTA's sales-tax request and any change to sheriff selection are not on this ballot, the report said.