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Committee approves city COO's Gateway appointment amid questions about sin-tax shortfall and new community authority options
Summary
The committee approved a mayoral nominee (who identified herself as Bonnie Winn) to the Gateway Economic Development Corporation while members pressed her on Gateway's operating costs, capital needs funded by the county sin tax and the possibility of a new community authority to raise fees; members requested a sustainability plan by year-end.
The Cleveland City Council's mayor's appointments committee approved the nomination of the administration's nominee for the Gateway Economic Development Corporation while asking detailed questions about Gateway's finances, the county's sin-tax revenue stream and possible alternatives such as a new community authority.
The nominee introduced herself as "Bonnie Winn," identifying as the city's chief operating officer. Committee members questioned her about Gateway's finances, attendance and the corporation's role as landlord for Progressive Field and Rocket Arena.
On operating costs, the nominee said Gateway's annual operating budget is roughly $3 million and that operating costs are split about 50/50 between the teams. She said capital improvements historically have been funded from the county's sin tax and that current projections suggested the sin-tax collections would cover this year's needs but could be insufficient in future years without a new funding plan.
Council members asked about options beyond the sin tax, including establishing a new community authority (NCA) that could levy optional user fees (for example, fees on parking or admissions) in a defined area. The nominee described a community-authority model as a tool that property owners could opt into and stressed that Gateway and property owners would decide whether to pursue that path.
Committee members repeatedly urged the Gateway board and county partners to produce a sustainability plan sooner than year-end; the nominee said the board should have a plan by the end of the year because projections for 2027 and beyond show funding stress.
The committee conducted a roll call on the nominee and recorded unanimous or near-unanimous support at committee level; the clerk recorded the vote and the nomination advanced.
What happens next: Council staff and Gateway were asked to prepare a clearer fiscal model and timeline for sustainability and to coordinate with county officials about any sin-tax revision or alternative funding models. Committee members said they do not want to return to council asking for general-fund support.
Provenance: Transcript discussion of Gateway finance and community-authority options began at SEG 746 and concluded at SEG 1556.
