Cuyahoga County’s budget process has officially started! County Executive Chris Ronayne and Office of Budget and Management Director Walter Parfejewiec were in front of County Council on October 14, 2025, to present an overview of the recommended budget and field any preliminary questions that Councilmembers might have, as members will have the opportunity to ask more in-depth questions during department hearings.
Broadly, the budget reflects what was expected, a leaner budget as the result of operating in a post-COVID budget world and lagging revenues.
General Fund to support $86 million less over two years
The general fund supports the daily operations and personnel costs for the county. It is primarily funded through sales tax revenues, and its largest expense is public safety. The Executive’s recommended budget includes $634.0 million for 2026 and $650.8 million for 2027 from this fund. This would provide $51.8 million less for 2026 and $35.0 million less for 2027 compared to the Q2 2025 estimates provided by Director Parfejewiec during the hearing. This reduced spending is achieved through changes to the budget’s base.
The base includes no changes for attrition, no overtime, and budgeting other expenses at 2024 actuals. These reductions are slightly offset by 2% cost of living adjustments for elected officials, boards, commissions, and county executive department staff, and a 10% increase in employee healthcare costs.
Approximately 100 budget requests were submitted by departments.
Approximately 100 budget requests were submitted by departments, including $100.5 million that would have been funded by the general fund. The Executive’s recommended budget approved $59.1 million in budget requests over the biennium across numerous agencies. Approved budget requests can be seen on page five of the budget presentation. The budget as recommended projects a budget surplus of approximately $900,000 at the end of 2026 and $1.3 million at the end of 2027.
Health and Human Services Levy Fund estimated at $53 million less over two years
Cuyahoga County’s two health and human services levies are the primary funding source for the county’s health and human services levy fund, which supports many social services across the county. The recommended budget includes expenditures of $279.3 million during 2026 and $279.0 million during 2027. This would provide $27.7 million less for 2026 and $26.0 million less for 2027 compared to the Q2 2025 estimates provided by Director Parfejewiec during the hearing.
More will be discussed about the cuts to health and human services in the coming weeks as department hearings take place.
This reduced spending largely reflects reduced spending on contracts, programs, and subsidies for numerous different divisions within the Department of Health and Human Services, for MetroHealth, and for the Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board, totaling $19.9 million less in 2026 and $22.5 million less in 2027. This reduced level of spending works to keep spending consistent with property tax revenue projections and should leave a budget surplus of $57,910 in 2026 and $1.3 million in 2027. More will be discussed about the cuts to health and human services in the coming weeks as department hearings take place.
Pressures and decisions ahead
The recommended budget largely reflects what was expected. A leaner budget reflecting multiple fiscal pressures converging at once. Situations like this will inevitably create tense moments as spending is pulled in and the belt is tightened. More will be learned about the budget as department hearings kick off, and The Center for Community Solutions will continue to report on the health and human service provisions of the budget and advocate for a strong safety net for Cuyahoga County’s residents.
