Armond Budish delivers State of County
County executive highlights health care, Quicken Loans Arena upgrade
Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish delivered his third State of the County address on April 19 at The City Club of Cleveland. Submitted photo
CUYAHOGA COUNTY – Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish delivered his third State of the County Address at The City Club of Cleveland on April 19.
Last year was one for the history books in Cuyahoga County.
The Republican National Convention placed the national and international spotlight on the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County and northeast Ohio from July 18-21.
The Indians won the American League pennant and hosted four World Series games, including possibly the most exciting game 7 in baseball history.
The Lake Erie (now Cleveland) Monsters won the American Hockey League Calder Cup. And, of course, the Cavaliers won the city’s first major league championship since 1964 when the hometown team came back from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Golden State Warriors for the NBA title.
In a light moment, a video montage of the sports teams in playoff action had the face of Budish superimposed on players’ shoulders.
Budish thanked and recognized county council for its dedicated service. The county executive also thanked and recognized county employees.
Improving the lives of residents
Budish stated the goal of county government is to improve the lives of residents.
“Together we thrive. Everything we do is aimed at reaching that goal,” he said. “When we talk about progress that’s what we mean.”
Budish stated not everyone has the same goals or needs in a county as diverse as Cuyahoga.
“What the small business owner in Bedford needs to create more jobs may not be as helpful to the new college graduate from CSU needs to interview for her first job. What the laid off auto worker needs to get back to work may not make sense for the working parent trying to build a better life.”
Randomly stopping the music
Budish stated that working in county government is a lot like playing a game of musical chairs.
“Washington and Columbus randomly stop the music and take away our chairs and each time they do we struggle to stay in the game,” he said. “Have you noticed that Washington and Columbus always have a chair when the music stops? They get the attention and the dollars leaving local and county government out. We’re left as the last ones standing up for you.”
Providing essential services from shrinking funds has become more of a challenge in recent times. Strategies have been adopted saving county taxpayers approximately $100 million with an additional $150 million in savings over the next five years, according to Budish.
High quality health care
Cuyahoga County is home to some of the world’s best health care institutions. This includes The Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth and University Hospitals.
“Each of these health care institutions have been key partners with us in moving our county forward,” said Budish. “The Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion are under constant attack. Medicare may be turned into an unworkable voucher program. Millions of people around the country, vulnerable people, could lose their coverage with a stroke of a pen. But there is one place in the nation where you can be assured of affordable, high quality health care and that’s right here in Cuyahoga County.”
County council recently approved a plan to partner with MetroHealth on a new $750 million campus. Through the creation of a significant reserve fund, the county will save Metro upwards of a $160 million on a transformation project.
“We are committed to quality health care for everyone in our region and are committed to the long-term success of Metro,” said Budish.
Quicken Loans Arena upgrade
A $140 million upgrade to Quicken Loans Arena is on the drawing board with the public sector and Cleveland Cavaliers splitting the costs.
“The arena is a publicly owned building and it’s our responsibility to maintain it. This is what county voters demanded when they originally approved the Gateway deal in 1990,” said Budish. “We’re making this agreement because the arena is one of our most significant economic catalysts and job generator in the region.”
More than 2,300 work at Quicken Loans Arena. Many others work at the bars, restaurants and hotels that are supported by those that attend events at the venue.
The “Q” generates more than $20 million in taxes to the city of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. Some of these taxes will go toward the upgrade project. The deal includes a lease extension that will keep the Cavaliers in Cleveland through 2034.
Partnering with community libraries
A new partnership with the county library system effectively turns community libraries into local county government branches.
“Want to apply for or renew your benefits? Want career planning in our work program? Soon you’ll be able to check out support resources at your neighborhood library,” said Budish. “Never before have residents had this novel opportunity to apply for benefits and get career assistance at once.”
Opioid crisis
Cuyahoga County is on pace to register a record 850 overdose deaths in 2017. Four out of five people who use heroin started with a prescription opioid.
“The reach of this epidemic cuts across every demographic group and every part of the county,” said Budish. “There’s no one solution. We’re trying every possible approach. We need more treatment options.”
Cuyahoga County is partnering with the city of Cleveland to come up with an additional 113 treatment beds, a 75 percent increase.
“It’s still not enough, but it’s an important step forward,” said Budish.
Last year was one for the history books in Cuyahoga County.
The Republican National Convention placed the national and international spotlight on the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County and northeast Ohio from July 18-21.
The Indians won the American League pennant and hosted four World Series games, including possibly the most exciting game 7 in baseball history.
The Lake Erie (now Cleveland) Monsters won the American Hockey League Calder Cup. And, of course, the Cavaliers won the city’s first major league championship since 1964 when the hometown team came back from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Golden State Warriors for the NBA title.
In a light moment, a video montage of the sports teams in playoff action had the face of Budish superimposed on players’ shoulders.
Budish thanked and recognized county council for its dedicated service. The county executive also thanked and recognized county employees.
Improving the lives of residents
Budish stated the goal of county government is to improve the lives of residents.
“Together we thrive. Everything we do is aimed at reaching that goal,” he said. “When we talk about progress that’s what we mean.”
Budish stated not everyone has the same goals or needs in a county as diverse as Cuyahoga.
“What the small business owner in Bedford needs to create more jobs may not be as helpful to the new college graduate from CSU needs to interview for her first job. What the laid off auto worker needs to get back to work may not make sense for the working parent trying to build a better life.”
Randomly stopping the music
Budish stated that working in county government is a lot like playing a game of musical chairs.
“Washington and Columbus randomly stop the music and take away our chairs and each time they do we struggle to stay in the game,” he said. “Have you noticed that Washington and Columbus always have a chair when the music stops? They get the attention and the dollars leaving local and county government out. We’re left as the last ones standing up for you.”
Providing essential services from shrinking funds has become more of a challenge in recent times. Strategies have been adopted saving county taxpayers approximately $100 million with an additional $150 million in savings over the next five years, according to Budish.
High quality health care
Cuyahoga County is home to some of the world’s best health care institutions. This includes The Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth and University Hospitals.
“Each of these health care institutions have been key partners with us in moving our county forward,” said Budish. “The Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion are under constant attack. Medicare may be turned into an unworkable voucher program. Millions of people around the country, vulnerable people, could lose their coverage with a stroke of a pen. But there is one place in the nation where you can be assured of affordable, high quality health care and that’s right here in Cuyahoga County.”
County council recently approved a plan to partner with MetroHealth on a new $750 million campus. Through the creation of a significant reserve fund, the county will save Metro upwards of a $160 million on a transformation project.
“We are committed to quality health care for everyone in our region and are committed to the long-term success of Metro,” said Budish.
Quicken Loans Arena upgrade
A $140 million upgrade to Quicken Loans Arena is on the drawing board with the public sector and Cleveland Cavaliers splitting the costs.
“The arena is a publicly owned building and it’s our responsibility to maintain it. This is what county voters demanded when they originally approved the Gateway deal in 1990,” said Budish. “We’re making this agreement because the arena is one of our most significant economic catalysts and job generator in the region.”
More than 2,300 work at Quicken Loans Arena. Many others work at the bars, restaurants and hotels that are supported by those that attend events at the venue.
The “Q” generates more than $20 million in taxes to the city of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. Some of these taxes will go toward the upgrade project. The deal includes a lease extension that will keep the Cavaliers in Cleveland through 2034.
Partnering with community libraries
A new partnership with the county library system effectively turns community libraries into local county government branches.
“Want to apply for or renew your benefits? Want career planning in our work program? Soon you’ll be able to check out support resources at your neighborhood library,” said Budish. “Never before have residents had this novel opportunity to apply for benefits and get career assistance at once.”
Opioid crisis
Cuyahoga County is on pace to register a record 850 overdose deaths in 2017. Four out of five people who use heroin started with a prescription opioid.
“The reach of this epidemic cuts across every demographic group and every part of the county,” said Budish. “There’s no one solution. We’re trying every possible approach. We need more treatment options.”
Cuyahoga County is partnering with the city of Cleveland to come up with an additional 113 treatment beds, a 75 percent increase.
“It’s still not enough, but it’s an important step forward,” said Budish.