On Tuesday, Cuyahoga County voters gave County Executive Chris Ronayne the tools he asked for: an additional $111 million in property‑tax revenue to bolster the county’s social‑service safety net. The measure, known as Issue 11, passed comfortably, and Ronayne was also re‑elected with an overwhelming 98 % of the vote against a write‑in challenger.
Levy funds target the most vulnerable
Issue 11 will direct the new money toward programs that aid seniors, children, people experiencing homelessness and families struggling to put food on the table. A companion measure, Issue 10, will generate extra resources for the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities, ensuring that adults with developmental challenges receive needed support.
Ronayne’s plan for a stronger safety net
In an interview with Signal Cleveland, Ronayne explained that the levy allows the county to go “all in” on the social forces that affect people’s health – from medical care and addiction services to food assistance. He warned, however, that the new revenue will only partially offset recent cuts. The county trimmed $20.5 million from its health and human services budget for 2027, and projections show costs continuing to rise.
“First and foremost, this levy was about staving off further cuts,” Ronayne said, placing responsibility on the state and federal governments, which he said have “really undermined” the safety net. He expressed optimism about working with Governor‑elect Amy Acton, a doctor and fellow Democrat, noting that they have already discussed health as a priority and that “it’s in her blood, in her nature, in her professional background.”
Transit and arena projects still under consideration
While the levy win is a clear victory for social‑service funding, other major budget items remain unsettled. The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is preparing to ask voters for a sales‑tax increase next year – the agency’s first such request in fifty years. Ronayne, who appoints part of the RTA board, said he supports better transportation options but wants a concrete plan before endorsing a levy.
“Without a plan, I don’t see an easy path to passage, and so I think we need to take a step back, develop a community transportation plan,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Gateway Economic Development Corp., landlord of Progressive Field and Rocket Arena, is seeking cash for repairs. The Cleveland Cavaliers have requested $37 million for upgrades to the arena’s scoreboard and audio systems. The county and the City of Cleveland have previously contributed to ballpark and arena projects, and officials are meeting with team representatives to discuss cost‑sharing, though no definitive revenue source has been identified.
“We don’t have any definitive source that we’re looking at,” Ronayne said. “We also are trying to mete out the cost share between teams, the City of Cleveland and the county.” He added that taxpayers can expect a contribution, even if the exact amount is still being negotiated.
What this means for Cuyahoga residents
The levy’s passage sends a strong signal that Cuyahoga County voters value a robust social‑service system. By securing additional funding, the county can better address rising health‑care costs, addiction treatment needs and food insecurity – issues that have been exacerbated by recent state and federal budget cuts.
At the same time, the pending decisions on transit financing and arena repairs highlight the ongoing balancing act county leaders must perform: protecting essential services while ensuring responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars for large‑scale projects.
Residents can expect a detailed budget proposal from Ronayne’s office in the coming weeks, outlining how the new levy money will be allocated and what steps will be taken to develop a viable transportation plan before any future sales‑tax vote.
Original reporting: Signal Cleveland — read the source article.
