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Cuyahoga County Council approves $9.25M to cover outstanding home-and community-based services invoices and adopts biweekly fiscal amendments
Summary
Council voted to authorize a $9,247,725.01 amendment to pay outstanding Medicaid home-and community-based services invoices and adopted a biweekly fiscal resolution with multiple appropriations, while several other contract amendments and appointments moved forward.
Cuyahoga County Council on Jan. 28 adopted several fiscal and contract measures, including a resolution to add roughly $9.25 million to a master contract for Medicaid home- and community-based services (HCBS) to cover outstanding November and December 2024 invoices.
Council approved Resolution 20 25 0 0 68, authorizing an amendment to master contracts for out-of-home placement and foster-care services effective Oct. 1, 2024, "for additional funds in the amount not to exceed $9,247,725.01 for payment of outstanding invoices," according to the legislation read into the record. David Merriman of the Department of Health and Human Services told council the funds would allow the county to close out last year’s contract obligations and that staff intends to move to 15-month contract cycles in the future to avoid year-end timing problems.
Separately, the council adopted its biweekly fiscal resolution amending the 2024–25 biennial operating budget. A council member highlighted several line items in the package, including $2,500,000 for seniors' property tax assistance, $12,150,000 for Diversion Center operations (funded by opioid settlement dollars), and $2,000,000 for Public Works fleet vehicles; the resolution was approved by voice vote. Several ARPA-funded grants and appointment confirmations were also advanced or approved and will appear on the Feb. 11 agenda for third reading where noted.
Council accepted a staff-proposed substitute to increase a Circle East District Neighborhood Patrol award to the Cuyahoga County Land Reutilization Corporation from $50,000 to $100,000 (with $50,000 coming from a community development fund); that substitute will return for consideration on Feb. 11. Other committee referrals included a large HCBS extension and funding package (Resolution 20 25 0 0 69) that was referred to the Health and Human Services and Aging Committee; the extension would, if approved, add up to $83,877,274.99 in funding and extend contract dates through March 31, 2026.
What this means: Adopted funding clears overdue vendor invoices and is intended to prevent service interruptions for children in foster care and other out-of-home placements; the larger HCBS extension and other appropriations will require additional committee review before final adoption.
