County committee confirms four appointments to planning, development and tax review bodies

A Cuyahoga County Council committee on Tuesday confirmed a set of appointments by the county executive, advancing several nominees to county boards and commissions.

The committee approved a substitute resolution confirming Anthony W. Scott to the Cuyahoga County Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) board of trustees for an unexpired term ending Jan. 31, 2027. The panel also advanced reappointments of Mayor Gregory P. Kurtz (Cuyahoga region) and Mayor Georgine Willow (Hillcrest region) to the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission for terms running Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2028. In a separate action the committee confirmed Brian M. Edwards to the Cuyahoga County Tax Incentive Review Council for an unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2026.

Committee chair Martin Sweeney asked for the motions and the group voted in favor of each nomination. Several nominees addressed the committee after their confirmations.

Anthony Scott, introduced as director of housing and community development for Cuyahoga County, told the committee, “I appreciate you affirming this proposition, and I will serve as diligently as I'm capable of doing.” He said he views board service as part of his broader work on housing and economic development and called collaboration an opportunity to support projects that expand the county’s tax base.

Mayor Gregory P. Kurtz, who was presented for reappointment for the Cuyahoga region, praised the planning commission’s leadership and said the commission’s materials and processes are “very thorough, very informative, and it's a pleasure to work with them.” Mayor Georgine Willow, presented for the Hillcrest region, described planning support and county grants as tools that helped South Euclid change its housing mix and lower the community’s average age. “Serve on this commission has really, it's been great,” she said.

Brian Edwards, introduced to the committee as a candidate with a background in structured public finance and development finance authorities, said the Tax Incentive Review Council plays a “vital role in safeguarding the public trust” by reviewing tax-incentive agreements and ensuring contractual commitments are honored.

Votes at a glance - R2025-0277 (confirming Anthony W. Scott to the Cuyahoga County Community Improvement Corporation board of trustees, unexpired term ending 01/31/2027): substitute accepted; committee vote recorded as in favor; resolution advanced (second reading suspension requested and granted). - R2025-0278 (reappointment of Mayor Gregory P. Kurtz to the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission, term 01/01/2026–12/31/2028): motion passed; resolution moved forward to second reading. - R2025-0279 (reappointment of Mayor Georgine Willow to the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission, Hillcrest region, term 01/01/2026–12/31/2028): motion passed; resolution moves forward to second reading. - R2025-0280 (confirming Brian M. Edwards to the Tax Incentive Review Council, unexpired term ending 12/31/2026): committee approved second reading suspension and confirmed the appointment.

Why it matters: These boards and commissions influence county planning, economic development projects and oversight of tax-incentive deals. The CIC and planning commission can help shape development priorities and eligibility for planning grants; the Tax Incentive Review Council reviews whether tax-increment and other incentive agreements meet their contractual goals.

The appointments advanced to the full council or, where the committee voted to suspend second reading, were confirmed to serve the terms shown. The committee recorded no recorded dissents on the motions that appeared on the agenda.