CLEVELAND -- Cuyahoga County will freeze almost all executive hirings through the end of this year, Chief of Staff Erik Janas announced in a memo to senior staffers on Tuesday.
According to Janas, the hiring freeze is the result of a projected budget deficit -- specifically $14.7 million from the county's general fund and an $18 million shortfall in Health and Human Services levy funds. While Janas says the county has already shaved off more than $10 million from what was originally slated to be a $25 million general fund deficit, more actions are needed in order to balance the books.
"I know that this will be challenging for many of you and for your agencies," Janas, the top aide to County Executive Chris Ronayne, wrote in his letter. "However, we must all work together to meet this difficult budget moment so that we may continue to provide important services for the residents of Cuyahoga County."
Janas says the freeze will remain in place for the last four months of 2025 "and we will evaluate staffing levels for FY 2026 and FY 2027 via the budget process this fall." Only hirings of corrections officers via the sheriff's department will remain unaffected.
Janas partly blamed the looming budget shortfall on lower-than-expected tax revenues, as well as uncertainty surrounding state and federal funding for programs like Medicaid and food stamp assistance. County spokeswoman Kelly Woodward told 3News media partner Cleveland.com that the freeze is expected to save at least $3.5 million, which means more budget cuts could be on the horizon.