Cuyahoga County HR committee approves classification changes, confirms a slate of board appointments

Cuyahoga County’s Human Resources, Appointments and Equity Committee on June 3 approved updates to the county’s nonbargaining classification plan and confirmed several board appointments, including reappointments to the Workforce Development Board and the Regional Transit Authority, and new nominees to community corrections and behavioral-health boards.

Chairman Sweeney opened the meeting and noted a quorum. Albert Bushehin, manager of classification and compensation for the Personnel Review Commission, told the committee the PRC proposed three new classifications and revisions to four existing categories to match departmental operational needs and the PRC’s four‑year maintenance cycle. Bushehin said one urgent need is filling a criminal records unit supervisor position at the sheriff’s department and requested the item move forward under a second‑reading suspension. "Due to the urgency in filling the criminal records unit supervisor position at the sheriff's department, I'm requesting that this move forward under second reading suspension of rule," Bushehin said.

Committee members probed whether the new classifications corresponded to specific departments; Bushehin confirmed the child‑welfare contractor service specialist role is for the Department of Children and Family Services and said two of the new roles will be filled through posting while some incumbents will be reassigned. He told the committee the four revised classifications had no change to pay grades and therefore no fiscal impact. After discussion, the committee approved Resolution R20250195 adopting the PRC changes and approved the suspension for the urgent sheriff’s position.

The committee then considered several appointments. The panel confirmed the reappointment of Marquise Brown to the Cleveland Cuyahoga County Workforce Development Board (now operating as "Greater Cleveland Works") for a term running 07/01/2025–06/30/2028. Brown, who described himself as the Cleveland regional director for AFSCME Ohio Council, outlined the board’s transition from a governmental entity to a nonprofit to allow foundation funding, stressing protections for existing staff and retirement benefits. "We saw the way to make sure that we can leverage resources and make sure we have more impact... was to go to a nonprofit board," Brown said.

The committee also confirmed Latoya Logan to the Community Corrections Planning Board (term 01/02/2025–01/01/2028). Logan, founder and CEO of Project Lift Services, described 22 years in criminal justice and reentry work and emphasized restorative justice and "transformative reentry" efforts that prioritize accountability, repairing harms and relationship building. Committee members noted the board’s 19‑member composition, including judicial and law‑enforcement representatives, and welcomed Logan’s experience representing impacted people.

Emily Gar Posetti was confirmed to the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority board of trustees for a term from 03/01/2025 through 02/29/2028. Posetti, a senior principal at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland who focuses on equitable, place‑based economic development, told members RTA ridership is returning (about 70% of pre‑COVID levels) and highlighted progress on capital projects such as delivery of new railcars. She said the board is balancing day‑to‑day operations with longer‑term investments and tracking quarterly performance measures to monitor service, safety and cleanliness.

Two appointments to the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (Adams) Board were approved with amended terms: Anita Gray (term corrected to 07/01/2025–06/30/2029) and Omar Kurdi (term amended to 07/01/2025–06/30/2029). Gray shared personal family experiences with mental illness and argued for expanded crisis intervention training and long‑term leadership for the board. Kurdi, CEO of Friends for Life Rehabilitation Services, spoke about representing Arab American communities, his organization's vocational services for adults with disabilities, and concerns about potential Medicaid funding cuts.

Finally, the committee confirmed the appointment of the Hon. Judge JJ Costello to the Community Corrections Planning Board for 01/02/2025–01/01/2028. Judge Costello, a municipal court judge in Cleveland Heights, described diversion programs his court uses for nonviolent and first‑time offenders and said his focus on rehabilitation and reducing jail populations informs his interest in the county board.

All listed confirmations and the classification resolution were approved by voice votes with no recorded opposition; committee members repeatedly added their names in support of nominees during the meeting. The committee adjourned after the final confirmation.

The Human Resources, Appointments and Equity Committee did not record public comment submitted for this meeting, and several nominees noted plans to collaborate with county staff and community partners as they begin their board roles.