Preserving the Integrity of HHS Levies in Cuyahoga County
Understanding the Risks
The bad news is that even suggesting the idea undermines public trust in the integrity of the two HHS levies, which are among the most widely supported tax levies in the county. The public clearly understands that these levies fund crucial public health and mental health services, including support for MetroHealth and various other essential programs. This trust is at stake, and it's essential that County Executive Chris Ronayne and County Budget and Management Director Walter Parfejewiec take immediate action to reassure residents that such a transfer of levy money will not occur.At a minimum, the county needs to demonstrate its commitment to safeguarding these vital funds and ensuring that they are used only for their intended purposes. The potential for misuse or even the discussion of such a transfer can have far-reaching consequences for the county's financial stability and public perception.
Moreover, the backdrop to this misguided idea is that the county has failed to address the issue of unexpected deficits caused by Sheriff's Department budget overruns and a significant drop in sales-tax revenues. Relying on HHS money to solve these problems is not only foolish but also short-sighted. The county must find sustainable solutions through cutting operating expenses or finding additional funds.
Exploring Solutions
During an endorsement interview with The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com in late August, Dale Miller discussed his efforts to get to the bottom of the Sheriff's Department overspending. He identified $21 million in overtime as a significant factor and noted that no other county in the state has a similar level. Council is also working to understand the root causes of this overtime issue, while acknowledging that part of the problem may be the county's failure to budget for anticipated overtime.Miller emphasized the importance of public safety and the need to preserve the Sheriff's Department's ability to keep the public and County Jail inmates safe. He believes that by being diligent in managing spending and conserving funds, savings can be achieved. This approach is crucial as the county continues to grapple with budgetary challenges.
However, Cuyahoga County officials should also look at the other side of the equation. They need to explore new revenue-generating ideas to cover safety costs and examine whether staffing practices and contractual requirements are contributing to the high Sheriff's Department overtime. By taking a comprehensive approach, the county can better address its budgetary issues and ensure the long-term sustainability of its services.
The Bottom Line
For now, Cuyahoga County officials must make it abundantly clear that they will not raid the HHS levy fund to cover non-HHS operating deficits. There is some flexibility in how the county meets its health and human services needs, but it should not be used in reverse to plug general spending holes. In budgeting, clarity, transparency, fiscal responsibility, and specificity are essential.Ronayne, Parfejewiec, and other county officials, in consultation with County Council, need to clarify their plans for meeting county budget needs without any talk of HHS levy transfers. By doing so, they can restore public trust and ensure the financial stability of the county.
About our editorials: Editorials express the view of the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer — the senior leadership and editorial-writing staff. As is traditional, editorials are unsigned and intended to be seen as the voice of the news organization.