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Competing Cuyahoga County Reform Plans Passed

Earlier this week, the Ohio House passed a plan to reform Cuyahoga County’s government. Then, the Senate passed its own plan. And, with the legislative year ending, both sides say they’ll have to take it up again in the next assembly.

The House’s plan stemmed from a nine member commission that met for months and ultimately proposed making most elected positions appointments, but keeping the three county commissioners—giving one of them added powers.

But State Senator Tim Grendell, a Chesterland Republican, didn’t like that plan and came up with his own, calling for seven commissioners—some at large and some representing districts. The senate approved his plan.

If the two chambers had agreed on a proposal, it would have been put to voters in the county this fall.

Kathleen Barber, a member of the Commission on Cuyahoga County Government Reform, hopes that’s still possible down the line.

BARBER: Of course I’m disappointed if nothing comes of it. So much hard work has gone down the tubes.

But Barber is no stranger to disappointment. She chaired a similar commission in the mid-90s - that also proposed a major restructuring of Cuyahoga government. The plan was submitted, only to gather dust on a shelf.