[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6320970,"mediaKeyId","2354039-e5a0de39b6ef3cf3ed0582dc111ef50f","parentId",2354039,"title","Council approves repeal of McCormick amendment to be refiled elsewhere; motion passes by voice vote","audioSeconds",14,"startMs",12254000,"endMs",12268000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2354039-e5a0de39b6ef3cf3ed0582dc111ef50f&start=12254&end=12268","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2354039-e5a0de39b6ef3cf3ed0582dc111ef50f/thumbnail_12254000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6320970/Cleveland/Cuyahoga-County/Ohio/Council-approves-repeal-of-McCormick-amendment-to-be-refiled-elsewhere-motion-passes-by-voice-vote","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6320970-af7ad8e2781927f1e16f1fcb88a2ae20/orig.mp4?Expires=1775955209&Signature=hFyM4Yvro0vZLntPaSbs-ZQE4i3667ia4c9C2ksStX5Hde5WyWLsHCZcxwsS7TZGkZ~C--IofTR7sxtWvZH23FYKDCU3nr0ajth8t9bdvxSnQSCg1irKDDS6ujEf0zlmihK-G7xy~fIyDN2S9RX7ARFAl-iqcEcjRTUz7IDK1kgmT2BWVjde1q3f~oJD9psv-W6k67UkWZibWi~ubh4vpWNC58sdLkvwsVQ18pZ37jzeIT3ZmGEK7Izrfmv2YGnN0rB4wEREccZuUpn3mvfqt-2oCjfOkx3-ycdfg2s3Wnce1sDh~zhG6ilYYC6CgLw9M5MEcUf2wTVNphfP7kXjWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Cleveland OH","date","2025-02-20T05:37:03Z","article","Councilman Kevin McCormick moved to repeal an amendment he had introduced the previous day (amendment reference: filed for ordinance 156‑2025). He said the language belonged in a different ordinance and that the city will instead introduce and pass a separate change that places the requirement in the appropriate section of the code.

“ We are introducing a piece of legislation tonight that amends a different section of the code to require it,” McCormick said and moved to repeal his prior amendment on the budget ordinance. A second was recorded and the chair called for a voice vote. The motion to repeal was approved by voice vote; the chair announced the motion carried and the committee recessed for lunch.

The action was procedural (repeal of a council amendment) and was recorded on the record during the budget hearing. The council indicated the reformulated requirement (to require prior‑year budget pages within the budget book) will be introduced and considered under a different ordinance later the same evening.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Finance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee - Budget Hearings, Feb. 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Councilman Kevin McCormick withdrew an amendment he filed to require last year’s budget pages be included in the budget book and moved to repeal that amendment; the body approved the repeal by voice vote and the council indicated an alternative ordinance will be introduced and passed.","taxTitle","Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio","taxId",2662,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6320973,"Fire Department plans 40 hires in 2025; council asks about overtime and mutual aid costs",146,10311000,10457000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2354039-e5a0de39b6ef3cf3ed0582dc111ef50f&start=10311&end=10457","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2354039-e5a0de39b6ef3cf3ed0582dc111ef50f/thumbnail_10311000.jpg","/articles/6320973/Cleveland/Cuyahoga-County/Ohio/Fire-Department-plans-40-hires-in-2025-council-asks-about-overtime-and-mutual-aid-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6320973-cd6f363dacfe4c4c7043f2aa69780ab6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775955209&Signature=S~fHwnfElfF-FJvpCSKp4zJ8tWtwWpaWJ3Kc3tMctbSfQtDknUoT92RwF90mpwZ5KU3tLZVkYfGkHj-EtYOuDX7RxUKFNN5QShpqv~NoFwAhC6NeCc2Lqiylzhxjd3uKmqwpvnlU1DuBiive6NJ7S3pzWIm0Fc4uwu0QyCLj~XGWDX7fMor6cKZBbUDXnW6xYOasdWvwlqe4WcvyMZ3O5lCcB9NkAuDgxkR7tyTfDwuOfRdoTloKcdnGCwSiHqDuTglQcsqr~HOlAb7p2gGxQP3qq2FAtISQ1JxrVluGEamhOZ1GnwxabSbrwjmsEhsPeOCce4J77DLJGWz05q9-mw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fire Chief Anthony Luke told council budget committee members that the Division of Fire expects to hire a class of 40 new firefighters in 2025 and that the department’s 2025 budget includes a goal to manage uniform overtime at roughly past levels set in the budget book. Committee members asked how realistic overtime targets are and raised concerns about very small maintenance line items for station upkeep.

“ We anticipate bringing on 40 additional firefighters,” Chief Anthony Luke told the committee; finance staff said the department is budgeted for 770 total fire employees for 2025 and showed total expenditures and headcounts in the budget book.

Committee members pointed to maintenance lines for fire stations that in past years amounted to modest sums and said that basic building upkeep across fire houses — floors, locks, HVAC, restroom repairs — routinely requires more investment than small maintenance allocations provide. The committee asked the administration to explain which capital and property‑management funds pay for bigger repairs (roofs, boilers, major HVAC) and which smaller items come out of division budgets. Finance staff said some repairs are handled by the city’s property management budget and that the city will provide details when property management appears before council.

The committee also discussed mutual aid and revenue from contractual response agreements. Finance staff said the city has reciprocal arrangements with nearby municipalities and that some reimbursements (for example, for airport detail) are recorded as department revenues; the chief noted that neighboring jurisdictions provided staffing support during a recent line‑of‑duty death and did not charge the city for that assistance.

Other notes from the hearing:
- Contractual services rises were attributed in part to recruitment activity and to an online policy/training vendor (Lexipol) used by the department.
- Fire reported it had roughly 760 uniform employees as of December 2024 and is budgeted for 770 in 2025; attrition (retirements/resignations) continues to affect year‑to‑year counts.
- Council members asked for a follow‑up breakdown of station maintenance and any planned capital requests for district stations.

Council members commended firefighters for their service and asked the administration for more detailed documentation of the maintenance funding structure and mutual‑aid costs and reimbursements.","At the budget hearing, Fire Chief Anthony Luke said the department plans to bring on 40 firefighters in 2025; council members asked about overtime estimates, maintenance budgets for stations and mutual‑aid arrangements with neighboring jurisdictions.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6320976,"Council questions ambassador program costs, payroll transfers and rent at 75 Erieview during Public Safety admin review",893,663000,1556000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2354039-e5a0de39b6ef3cf3ed0582dc111ef50f&start=663&end=1556","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2354039-e5a0de39b6ef3cf3ed0582dc111ef50f/thumbnail_663000.jpg","/articles/6320976/Cleveland/Cuyahoga-County/Ohio/Council-questions-ambassador-program-costs-payroll-transfers-and-rent-at-75-Erieview-during-Public-Safety-admin-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6320976-1183f2ba28f9d12aa6f72690442a141d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775955209&Signature=gJ13Y2GkHK77ROuhv5bdqgYN~rMjyTF7cMrav5Ne6KnltGSyTeWcE9FEu0Y0wvOsNRLFvhb3CmE--RXlt~hkYKRUh7nxOdsfTsDP2xMInFvmfzc~oWig2WVoivQLsY-UgahOO5CbXiybYtY1pSgZ4t8MiovkCHdUJZbE75b7maZphvueEAjfnAGwvDqlLr3IODBOfOW7dNMtLK0RRyXgbqhTMm-arSwpdBZNcnp8SMCnC6Rq6AKvF7fb2zJOLB8FM3PcGyNJ52EHGhm5hfEBe6MiKrfWtOuQS67pXmDkGglv~3PoRVFT6vKD0R6fIYoMQ74XL68bP~NWwMMZnAC0bg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City council members scrutinized the Department of Public Safety administration’s budget changes at a budget hearing that highlighted the transfer of two payroll specialists into the Fire Division, expanded spending tied to a new “ambassador” program, and large annual rent charges for leased office space.

The changes are largely budget‑neutral for headcount but shift payroll lines from Public Safety Administration to the Division of Fire. Finance staff told the committee that the two employees “were with, under the Department of Public Safety Admin” but “do the payroll for the division of fire,” so staff and the associated budget dollars were moved to the fire budget.

Council members also pressed department leaders about several sizable increases tied to the ambassador program: travel, tuition and training, printed materials and office supplies. Finance staff said a recurring $50,000 travel allocation and $150,000 in tuition/registration are earmarked for the ambassador initiative. Director Dorna A. Drummond described the program as largely introductory for people ages about 18–21 to learn about public safety careers and said the program is being reevaluated; she said there are 10 ambassadors budgeted for 2025 and that the program has historically underspent some of its line items.

“Part of my task ... is to make sure that we have sufficient training for all the members of public safety admin, including our ambassadors program,” Drummond said, adding the department is “in the process of reevaluating the program.” Council members asked for a detailed breakdown of the ambassador program’s full cost per participant.

Council members also pressed for answers about property rentals: a $214,500 contractual services line was identified as the Family Justice Center lease at 75 Erieview (the transcript identifies the location as 7575 Erieview in places), and members asked whether that rent is borne entirely by Public Safety or allocated across divisions that use the space (Health Department, CRB, Sustainability were listed as tenants). Finance staff said the rent shows up in each division’s budget where applicable and that the city will supply a breakdown of the total annual rent and how it is allocated among divisions.

Other items discussed:
- Green‑sheet changes: Finance staff explained budget “green sheets” moving two payroll roles to Fire, which reduced the Public Safety Admin full‑time permanent count by two and moved associated benefits to Fire.
- Ambassador program scale: 10 ambassadors budgeted for 2025; council members questioned why travel/tuition/office supplies budgets appear large for the number of participants and asked for per‑participant detail.
- Family Justice Center lease: staff identified the lease as at “7575 Erieview,” described as a “one‑stop shop for victims,” and said rent is included in divisions’ budgets; council requested a full annual tally.

Council members asked the administration for multiple follow‑ups: a line‑by‑line cost listing for the ambassador program (per person and total), the precise amount budgeted at each rent location (75 Erieview, Willard garage parking, Justice Center) and confirmation of which budgets include which rental charges. The administration agreed to provide the requested detail before later budget votes.

The hearing also included a question about who is on the administration staff: the director introduced Jim Gensile and Nicole Gallagher from finance, and Michael Herb was identified as a senior strategist and special assistant to the mayor working with Public Safety administration.","Budget hearing for Public Safety Administration focused on a transfer of two payroll positions to the fire division, expanded ambassador program line items (training, supplies, travel) and council requests for detail on rent paid at 75 Erieview and other leased space.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6320978,"Council hearing: Police aim to cut overtime to $14M by hiring 180 recruits, but members question realism",2635,2331000,4966000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2354039-e5a0de39b6ef3cf3ed0582dc111ef50f&start=2331&end=4966","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2354039-e5a0de39b6ef3cf3ed0582dc111ef50f/thumbnail_2331000.jpg","/articles/6320978/Cleveland/Cuyahoga-County/Ohio/Council-hearing-Police-aim-to-cut-overtime-to-14M-by-hiring-180-recruits-but-members-question-realism","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6320978-7eb778e7e3cb452403bea5fa7d8a36e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775955209&Signature=ol15JGwbiK8a1O024TWq0fpHnuqYw5L3JHYym1eiPuWZjZSs2JjvjRRRDJ1gRdnVV8TL-FmQicW3l2wbmw6atiaKwKFFBSXFrcnr-o1YuVvSF5STLJ1rOVFbgKN4mG1GMvEAh4lMD6OiponWCaTFKoSoHoZxWGtWDqMNXd~dmHppQzZf-oplUOekekS5azsqvxgJbRJ4sHa-2mywJqqn82hSWuGVhqcUDJ38X~iQGcGIAuBrGDXCUaeQLK1wGEH-TmDKDk1icMFaDUYcKRQL4xkWg1e~gLrSpFb~uJAQh6bJ1cCUV1gOzb~Ybi3aPVpEuFJrpAqK1WRcEYtSgmo96w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council budget committee on a public-safety hearing heard police and city finance leaders say the Division of Police plans to reduce uniform overtime to $14,000,000 in 2025 by staffing up and keeping 12‑hour shifts, while budgeted headcount remains 1,350.

The goal matters because the department has repeatedly exceeded overtime estimates and council members said transfers to cover overtime have grown in recent years. Police Chief Dorothy Todd and Director of Public Safety Dorna A. Drummond described staffing and pay steps intended to slow overtime growth.

“ We budget the 14,000,000. That is our goal for the year,” Police Chief Dorothy Todd told the committee, adding department efforts include expedited hiring events and changing shift schedules to mitigate overtime. Director Dorna A. Drummond said the administration also has raised pay through the mayor’s RISE initiative and is trying to fill vacancies that drive overtime: “Our plan ... is to have a minimum of 50, at a minimum, of 50 recruit per class.”

Council members pressed leaders for numbers and for written backup. Committee members noted that actual overtime has repeatedly exceeded prior budget targets: “There’s no way you’re going to obtain a goal of $14,000,000 for police overtime,” one councilmember said, pointing to transfer ordinances in prior years that supplemented overtime budgets.

Key budget and staffing details discussed:
- Budgeted police headcount for 2025: 1,350 (budget book).
- Reported current staffing (December 2024): about 1,208 total, which the department said includes 78 recruits; excluding cadets the department stated the active sworn count would be roughly 1,130–1,131.
- Hiring targets: budgeted for 180 recruits in 2025; department said it hopes to run three academy classes with a minimum of 50 recruits each.
- Overtime: department goal of $14,000,000 for uniform overtime; council noted past actuals were much higher and asked whether the target underestimates likely costs.
- Axon/body‑ and dash‑camera payments: finance staff said 2024 included one‑time payments to Axon and dash‑camera implementation, which increased maintenance/contract lines; the department estimated about $3.4 million for body‑camera maintenance and roughly $1 million for related IT costs.
- Revenue offsets: police reported roughly $9 million from airport detail reimbursements and additional revenues from traffic escort fees and some ARPA grant reimbursements; council asked for a full breakdown of the $14+ million listed under miscellaneous revenue.

Council members repeatedly asked for written details the committee requested during the hearing: a unit‑by‑unit overtime breakdown, dispatch overtime and vacancy details (dispatch overtime was specifically flagged as about $1.7 million), the makeup of the 1,350 headcount across job classes, and documentation supporting the projected reduction in overtime tied to the 180‑recruit hiring plan. Finance staff said they would provide those breakdowns.

Leaders defended the 12‑hour shift change. “From my conversations with various officers, the 12‑hour shifts is something that they like because it gives them more time off with their families,” Drummond said, arguing the schedule reduced mandated overtime in some cases. Other council members said anecdotal complaints from officers suggest the change is not universally popular and asked the department to monitor effects on retention and morale.

Council members also pressed the department on recruitment and retention trends. The committee heard that the city hired 134 sworn officers in 2024 but also lost about 117 sworn officers that year, and that across several recent years departures have outpaced hires. The department said pay increases and expedited hiring events have improved applicant flow but acknowledged competition and nationwide recruiting challenges.

The council asked for multiple follow-ups, including written schedules of planned cadet and recruiting classes; the department’s projected timeline for translating recruits into active patrol officers (the department said academy training is roughly seven to eight months); documentation of last year’s Axon payments; and a breakdown of non‑uniform (“civilian”) overtime costs and staffing trends.

Council members said they would continue to scrutinize overtime projections and headcount assumptions as they review the overall budget.

Next steps: Finance and police leaders agreed to provide the requested written backup and a unit‑level overtime ledger before subsequent budget votes; council members signaled they would revisit the overtime target if the requested evidence did not support the $14 million figure.","At Cleveland City Council budget hearings, police leaders said a plan to hire 180 recruits and use 12‑hour shifts is intended to reduce overtime to $14 million, but council members pressed for evidence after years of higher overtime and continuing vacancies.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves repeal of McCormick amendment to be refiled elsewhere; motion passes by voice vote

Fire Department plans 40 hires in 2025; council asks about overtime and mutual aid costs

Council questions ambassador program costs, payroll transfers and rent at 75 Erieview during Public Safety admin review

Council hearing: Police aim to cut overtime to $14M by hiring 180 recruits, but members question realism