Cuyahoga County Council approves budget amendment, labor deals and multiple vendor contracts

Cleveland — Cuyahoga County Council on Tuesday, Nov. 12, approved a package of fiscal and procurement measures that council leaders said were routine but that fund major county operations including public safety, technology and workforce programs.

Council members voted to adopt a biennial budget amendment providing additional appropriations and transfers for 2024 and 2025, and approved collective bargaining agreements and contract amendments covering county employees and services.

Councilman Miller, presenting the fiscal package, said, "Most items are routine transfers within accounts to cover year‑end expenses, appropriation of grants, and accounting for health self‑insurance costs and facility operating costs." The budget resolution was approved on first reading under suspension of rules.

Among vendor contracts and awards approved by voice vote were a purchase of digital evidence management software and cloud storage with associated services from Exxon Enterprise Inc. for $5,960,835; a state‑contract purchase of Microsoft licensing managed through Dell Inc. for $978,007.19; and an award for jail food services to Summit Food Service LLC in an amount not to exceed $18,000,000 for the period Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027. Council also authorized an extension and additional funds for vendor‑hosted next generation 9‑1‑1 services with Motorola Solutions Inc., not to exceed $3,695,796, and an amendment to the inmate telecommunications contract with Securus Technologies LLC for up to $3,250,000.

The council approved labor agreements on the agenda: a collective bargaining agreement between Cuyahoga County and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Ohio Council 8, Local 27, representing approximately 193 county employees for Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2026; and an amendment to the agreement with the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association (OPBA) unit that represents roughly 24 9‑1‑1 call takers to set terms for wage and health‑insurance reopeners and to modify contract duration.

Other confirmed awards and amendments included contracts for youth residential treatment and related services with Applewood Centers Inc., and multiple public‑works and economic development items advanced by committee. The council approved an economic development loan of up to $2,000,000 to Famous Distribution Inc. (d/b/a Famous Supply) for a distribution‑center renovation in Maple Heights and extended a revenue agreement with the City of Cleveland for lease space used by the Cleveland Police Department.

Most measures were approved by voice vote after committee recommendation and brief presentation; the meeting record shows no roll‑call tallies for the items listed. Several items introduced that evening were referred to standing committees for further consideration.

What the council said: presenters and committee chairs repeatedly described many items as routine or technical budgetary actions needed to close the year and to continue service delivery across county departments.

What remains: many grant awards and contract amendments were referred to the appropriate committees and scheduled for subsequent readings or adoption on upcoming agendas. The meeting also included a lengthy public‑comment period on unrelated topics.