Cleveland Intergovernmental Agreements & Shared Services

General Governance and Administration Ohio 3 Minutes Read · published February 09, 2026 Flag of Ohio

Cleveland, Ohio municipalities and agencies commonly use intergovernmental agreements and shared services to deliver programs, combine purchasing power, and coordinate infrastructure or public-safety efforts. This guide explains how such agreements are adopted, who enforces them, typical compliance steps, and how residents or partner governments can review, challenge, or request services in Cleveland.

What are intergovernmental agreements and shared services?

Intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) are formal contracts between two or more public entities—cities, counties, school districts, or state agencies—to perform services collectively or to share facilities, staff, equipment, or procurement. Shared services can include joint purchasing, shared equipment, consolidated permitting systems, or cooperative emergency dispatch.

IGAs let governments pool resources while preserving separate legal authority.

Legal basis and typical approval process

In Cleveland, IGAs and shared-services contracts are usually authorized by ordinance or resolution approved by City Council and executed by the Mayor or an authorized department head. The instrument type, required approvals, and any public hearing requirements depend on the subject matter (for example, real property, public works, or contractual services).

  • Draft agreement prepared by requesting department or the Law Department.
  • Review by the Law Department for form and authority.
  • Council ordinance or resolution approving the agreement when required.
  • Execution by Mayor or delegated official and filing with city records.

Scope, limits, and common clauses

Agreements typically state the parties, term, funding or cost-sharing formula, termination rights, insurance and indemnity, performance measures, audit access, and records retention. Many IGAs include renewal or extension clauses and designate the lead administrator for day-to-day management.

Penalties & Enforcement

Specific fines, penalties, or remedies tied to nonperformance of an IGA depend on the contract language and applicable ordinance; many agreements rely on contract remedies such as damages, withholding funds, termination, or specific performance. If enforcement implicates a city code violation, penalties listed in the relevant municipal code section apply; if not stated in an IGA, amounts are not specified on the cited page[1].

  • Monetary fines or damages: not specified on the cited page[1].
  • Escalation for repeat/continuing breaches: not specified on the cited page[1].
  • Non-monetary remedies: termination, injunctions, withholding payments, or specific performance as contractually provided.
  • Enforcer: typically the City Law Department and the department that is party to the IGA; complaints may be filed with the Law Department or the Council Clerk.
  • Appeals and review: contractual dispute resolution clauses (mediation, arbitration) or judicial review; time limits depend on the agreement or applicable ordinance and are not uniformly specified on the cited page[1].
If a contract is silent on remedies, parties usually rely on general contract law or seek injunctive relief in court.

Applications & Forms

Most IGAs do not use a standard public-facing form; they are drafted as contracts or ordinances. Where a specific permit or interlocal application is required (for shared public-works projects), the responsible department will publish forms. For Cleveland, no single public form is centrally published for all IGAs; specific project forms are issued by the administering department or Purchasing as applicable.

How-To

  1. Identify the shared service need and the likely partner agencies.
  2. Contact the relevant Cleveland department (e.g., Public Works, Emergency Services, or Purchasing) to request a draft or to start negotiations.
  3. Have the Law Department review and approve the agreement for form and authority.
  4. Seek Council approval via ordinance or resolution when required, and publish any required notices.
  5. Execute the agreement, monitor performance, and follow the contract remedies or dispute resolution steps if issues arise.

FAQ

Who can enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Cleveland?
The City may contract with other municipal corporations, counties, school districts, and state agencies; the Mayor and Council approve agreements according to the citys approval rules.
Are IGAs published for public review?
Agreements approved by ordinance are part of the public record and may be obtained through Council records or the citys public records process.
How do I report a complaint about a shared service?
File a complaint with the administering department or with the City Law Department; contact details are in Help and Support / Resources below.

Key Takeaways

  • IGAs let Cleveland partner with nearby governments to save cost and improve services.
  • Legal review by the Law Department and Council approval are common steps.
  • Remedies and fines depend on the contract or applicable municipal code and are not uniformly specified on the cited page[1].

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Municode Library Cleveland Code of Ordinances

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