Communities Save Millions Using Cuyahoga County Shared Services

CLEVELAND, Dec. 23 -- Cuyahoga County Executive issued the following news release:

As part of Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald's effort to advance shared services and efficiency through regional collaboration, Cuyahoga County has recently partnered with Highland Heights, Fairview Park, University Heights, and the Cuyahoga County Board of Health to offer healthcare benefits to their employees through the Cuyahoga County Healthcare Regionalization Program.

"Since the beginning of my Administration, I've believed that economic development is driven by the strengths of a region and that the 59 communities of our County should work together to strengthen ourselves as a whole. Today's announcement is another great example of our communities doing just that," says FitzGerald. "The Healthcare Regionalization Program, which now helps 12 entities save on rising healthcare costs, is just one shared service offered to communities by the county. In total, we offer 36 services on an optional basis so that, by working together, we can find efficiencies and save taxpayer dollars."

The effect of signing contracts with the Healthcare Regionalization Program, Highland Heights, Fairview Park, University Heights, and the Board of Health will have a combined savings of over $1.2 million over the next year. These four entities will join eight others already participating in the program, including: the Cuyahoga County Land Bank, Olmsted Falls, Walton Hills, Mayfield, Glenwillow, Highland Hills, North Randall, and the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities. In Fiscal Year 2014, the program will cover a total of 1,410 lives and will save the 12 entities over $3 million.

"The City of Fairview Park is looking forward to a collaborative relationship with Cuyahoga County in offering our employees excellent medical coverage," says Mayor Eileen Ann Patton, City of Fairview Park. "Being afforded an opportunity to join together with a larger pool of medical insurance members we were able to offer two medical plans to our employees at a cost savings to the city. We are excited about this partnership and look forward to working with the Cuyahoga County Health Care Benefits department."

The Healthcare Regionalization Program offers political sub-divisions the opportunity to take advantage of the County's purchasing power and claims credibility to create sustainability within their healthcare programs and other benefits. The primary objective of the program is to provide stability in rate structure over the long term, whereas the average premium savings is considered an added benefit.

In addition to the Healthcare Regionalization Program, Cuyahoga County offers a long list of shared services. The Department of Public Works offers services such as road maintenance, bridge and sewer inspection and repair, and safety inspections. The Department of Human Resources offers a variety of training courses and human resources administration. The Department of Information Technology can design a community's website, facilitate an assessment of current systems, and assist with photographic and Geographic Information System needs. Cuyahoga County also offers crime lab services through the Medical Examiner's Office and a "cooperative purchasing" program that allows communities to obtain the same terms the County receives on certain contracts.

By the end of 2013, there will have been approximately 222 shared service agreements with various communities in place, covering 36 different services offered by Cuyahoga County.

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