The three (3) co-equal members of the Board of County Commissioners are elected at-large for four-year overlapping terms in even-numbered years. They are required to meet 50 times per year (
Ohio Revised Code) view the
(meeting schedule) on Thursday, in their Chamber at the County Administration Building, 1219 Ontario Street, Room 451, Cleveland, Ohio 44113.
The mandatory first meeting of the year (
Ohio Revised Code 305.05) is the second Monday in January, when they must organize, elect a president and appoint a clerk. Local custom in this county has the presidency rotating annually; the choice is up to the commissioners themselves. The president presides at all commissioners meetings and public hearings; serves on the Board of Revision and the County Records Commission. State law establishes commissioners salaries based on population.
The Board of County Commissioners is created by law under authority granted to the General Assembly by the Ohio Constitution. Is it the central government body of the County. Its legal existence and powers are entirely dependent on the State. Predominant among its powers is the authority to control the budget, appoint key personnel such as the
County Administrator, the Human Services Director, the Sanitary Engineer and other members of boards and agencies.
Responsibilities of the County Commissioners
The Commissioners directly oversee the areas of Finance & Administration, Health & Human Services and Justice & General Government. They provide and manage funds used to support the activities of these areas. Cuyahoga County's budget is the largest local government budget in the State of Ohio. The Commissioners execute legislative-like powers in carrying out their legal and financial responsibilities. These responsibilities include budgeting, levying taxes, issuing bonds and letting contracts for public works services. Other responsibilities include:
- Adopting a County budget
- Monitoring expenditures
- Administering all purchases for County use
- Submitting bond issues to voters
- Distributing certain state and local taxes
- Approving funding to build and maintain certain roads
- Managing County property
- Appointing key personnel
- Assisting municipalities in the administration of sewers and ensuring that all sewer districts comply with community health and sanitation regulations.
In addition to the areas listed below, the County Commissioners serve as the trustees of the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District and members of the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission. The purpose of the Solid Waste District Board is to implement a county wide solid waste plan to achieve Ohio's goals for waste reduction, recycling and solid waste management. The purpose of the County Planning Commission is to facilitate initiatives to strengthen the quality of life and redevelopment of the County.
Finance & Administration includes the Office of the Clerk of the Board, Department of Workforce Development, Office of Human Resources and Office of Budget Management.
Health & Human Services includes Cuyahoga Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA), Department of Children & Family Services, Department of Employment and Family Services, Department of Senior & Adult Services and Family and Children First Council.
Justice & General Government includes the Department of Central Services, Department of Development, Department of Justice Affairs and the Office of Procurement & Diversity.