Cleveland to Hire Temporary Specialists for Public Health Inspections
The Cleveland Department of Public Health is bringing in temporary specialists to support environmental safety inspections throughout the city. Under emergency ordinance File No. 585-2026, the Director of Public Health is authorized to contract with the Ohio Public Health Association to provide Registered Environmental Health Specialists (REHS) to assist the Division of Environment with short-term staffing needs.
What's in the file
According to the 585-2026 Legislative Summary, the contract authorizes temporary specialists to perform several essential health and safety functions:
- Conducting field inspections of licensed retail food establishments (RFEs), food service operations (FSOs), schools, and fat, oil, and grease (FOG) sites to enforce the Ohio Uniform Food Safety Code.
- Inspecting public swimming pools, spas, and special use pools to ensure compliance with state sanitation and safety standards under the Ohio Revised Code and Ohio Administrative Code.
- Preparing inspection records and reports using databases such as Accela, HDIS, or HealthSpace.
- Providing educational programs and training for operators regarding safe food handling and pool maintenance.
- Consulting with stakeholders like the Ohio Department of Health and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The contract details are as follows:
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Contract Program Amount | not to exceed $100,000 |
| Contract Term | 4/1/2026 – 3/31/2027 |
| Renewal Option | one additional year |
The funding for this initiative will come from the Environment General Fund.
Who may be affected
- Department of Public Health (Division of Environment): Will receive temporary staffing support to maintain inspection schedules.
- Ohio Public Health Association: Will serve as the contracted provider of the temporary specialists.
- Local food and pool operators: Will undergo inspections and may receive training on safety and sanitation standards.
Status and timeline
The ordinance has officially passed City Council.
- May 7, 2026: The ordinance was introduced.
- May 29, 2026: The measure was recorded in the City Record.
Residents can verify the details of this legislation by reviewing the official source record.
| Initial term | 1 years |
|---|---|
| Renewal option | 1 years |
Source record
- File
- 585-2026
- Type
- Emergency Ordinance
- Status
- Passed
- Committee
- City Council
- Introduced
- May 6, 2026
Official documents
- 585-2026-Ag w Ohio Public Health Assoc for temporary staffing
- 585-2026 Legislative Summary- 2026 CDPH_OPHA Contractor
- 585-2026 FINAL VERSION-CITY RECORD MAY 29, 2026 PG. 47