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.”…