Cuyahoga County Council has voted to allocate all collections from a 0.25% sales tax extension into a special Justice Center Capital Projects Fund for the construction of a new jail and courthouse. The move comes as the county is facing $17 million in unbudgeted overtime costs in the sheriff’s office and jail. Councilman Patrick Kelly proposed the restriction to ensure that the tax dollars are used as promised to residents. County Executive Chris Ronayne, who opposed the legislation, is now seeking clarification on its implications for future funding and the county’s ability to fund the projects. Some councilmembers opposed the restriction, citing concerns about flexibility in funding and the county’s ability to borrow money. The decision comes after previous restrictions were put in place to allocate American Rescue Plan Act dollars to the jail and courthouse projects. The new restriction aims to keep the focus on building a new jail and courthouse, with any unspent funds transferring to the justice center fund. Despite some opposition, the majority of councilmembers support the move as a way to ensure that the promised projects are completed. Overall, the decision highlights the council’s commitment to prioritizing the construction of the new facilities and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used as intended.
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Restrictions Placed on Sales Tax Funds for Jail and Courthouse by Cuyahoga County Council
