Cleveland - Cuyahoga County has just received $215 million to help with costs incurred and related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
These funds cannot be used to alleviate any revenue shortfalls that the County will be experiencing due to the significant economic impact of the crisis. Because of the loss of sales taxes as well as property, admission, hotel and other taxes and fees, Cuyahoga County is projecting a $76 million deficit in 2020.
The County has already spent millions on COVID-related needs, including $2 million for the purchase of PPE, and will spend over $2.5 million to support small businesses through the Small Business Resource Center and the Small Business Stabilization Fund.
“The COVID-19 crisis is unprecedented, and the County is responding swiftly and aggressively to the needs of our residents and businesses,” said County Executive Armond Budish. “We will continue to roll out more programs and offer more support in the coming weeks and months. We appreciate the fact that the Federal Government has provided this money to help us. Unfortunately, we are not able to use any of these dollars to give us any respite from the fact that we are going to be suffering shortfalls in revenue. That means, as stewards of the taxpayer dollars, we are going to be making difficult choices, including mandatory furloughs of our employees."
“We are not alone in this. Many counties and cities in Ohio are having to take similar measures. We are doing everything we can to get the county, our employees, residents and businesses out of this crisis intact and hopefully stronger than ever.”
Photo by: Ken Robinson / WTAM 1100
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