For over 30 years, Jim has fought to improve the lives of residents across the County, region and state.  Jim has brought strong fiscal leadership to the Treasurer’s office and implemented some of the most daring and innovative programs – from foreclosure prevention to neighborhood revitalization programs, his efforts have paid off.

Delivering Results

• Jim Rokakis completely overhauled the County’s $500 million investment portfolio boosting its rate of return, reducing administrative fees and increasing its diversification.
• Recognized by The Plain Dealer for its outstanding performance, the County’s investment portfolio is now consistently the best performing in Ohio.

Increased Funding for Schools

• In an effort led by Jim, state law was changed to allow counties to sell delinquent tax liens…speeding up collection and bringing millions in additional revenue to our schools and communities.
• His work has been recognized by the Cuyahoga County School Treasurer’s Association.
• In 2006, Jim negotiated a settlement with Ford Motor Company that brought $18.5 million to Berea & Bedford Heights schools and local communities.

Protecting Neighborhoods

• Jim and his staff wrote and led the effort to pass H.B. 294, legislation that allows for the expedited foreclosure of vacant and dilapidated tax delinquent properties.  Since the program began, over 800 properties have been transferred to cities or neighborhood organizations so they can be put to more productive use.
• Neighbors of these vacant and neglected properties are finally getting relief from blight and crime.

 Combating the Foreclosure Crisis

• Jim led the effort to create the County’s first foreclosure prevention program.
• Since its inception, the ‘Don’t Borrow Trouble’ Foreclosure Prevention Program has helped over 7,500 at-risk borrowers and prevented more than 1,100 foreclosures. 
• Named by Governor Ted Strickland as a co-chair of Ohio ’s Foreclosure Prevention Task Force, Jim helped the state develop a strategy to address the impending foreclose tsunami.   
• Jim encouraged the creation of a federal, state and local task force to criminally prosecute people who have played the housing market and increased foreclosures for their own financial gain.
• Understanding everyone benefits from avoiding foreclosures, Rokakis has held several meetings with national loan providers, like Litton Loan Servicing, to develop industry level practices that will encourage them to take extra steps to help avoid forecloses.
• Testifying twice before the U.S. Congress, Jim Rokakis raised awareness of the foreclosure crisis and urged Federal leaders to institute reforms that combat predatory lending practices and sub-prime loans.

Fighting For Seniors

• Once implemented, Jim Rokakis’ “Aging-in-place” program will help seniors who can no longer afford to pay their property taxes avoid penalties, high delinquent tax interest rates and ultimately foreclosure.  Dollar-for-dollar it will actually cost seniors less than paying delinquent payment fee and penalties – and more importantly it helps them keep their homes.

Enhancing Communities

• Jim created the County’s Housing Enhancement Loan program (HELP), helping to restore stability to older neighborhoods, while stemming the tide of out migration.  It is the first program of its kind in the country.
• HELP was awarded the U.S. EPA’s Smart Growth Award in 2003 and has received recognition from other local and national organizations.
• Based on HELP’s success, Jim created a sister loan program to help preserve historic properties and neighborhoods.
• Together over $105 million in rehabilitation loans have been subsidized leading to the revitalization of area homes, neighborhoods and communities.
• More than 7,500 property owners have benefited from these linked-deposit programs.

Growing Downtown Cleveland

• Jim Rokakis was a leader in the effort to develop the Gateway Sports Complex.
• Rokakis Helped make the construction of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame possible through negotiations with Cleveland Public Schools.

Putting Government to Work For You

• By brining the State’s unclaimed funds program to the forefront, Jim has helped more than 125,000 people claim over $130 million of otherwise lost or misplaced funds. 
• Under Jim’s leadership the Treasurer’s office has seen a significant boost in customer service, responsiveness and community outreach.
• Homeowners can now get important information, check balances and pay their property tax bills from the comfort of home using a new online system that Jim implemented.
• Innovative payment plans now make property taxes a little easier for homeowners and help keep people from falling behind.
• Working with CMHA, Jim was able to ensure that landlords who participated in the housing voucher program (formerly known as section 8) were up to date on all of their property taxes.  Delinquent landlords were not allowed to receive rent subsidy taxes until they become current or entered in to a payment program.

Created the Housing Court

• While studying housing at Oberlin, Jim worked with then Senator Charlie Butts (D-23) to pass legislation that made it possible to create Cleveland’s first Housing Court.
• This innovative and specialized court resolves disputes between landlords, tenants and property owners in substantially less time. 
• Jim is often recognized as the father of the court by Housing Court Judge Ray Pianka.