The Cleveland Metroparks lost out on $3 million in revenue last year thanks to Cleveland tax breaks meant to stimulate development.
That disclosure came from the park system’s annual financial report, which the state auditor released this week. Two years ago, abatements reduced the Metroparks’ income by $2.6 million.
The Metroparks’ overall property tax revenue came out to $98 million in 2025. Property owners across Cuyahoga County and Hinckley Township pay that tax, which accounts for a little less than half of the park system’s income.
Cleveland provides tax abatements of varying amounts for new homes, renovations and commercial development. Tax-increment financing deals also divert property taxes from the Metroparks and other agencies.
Residential tax abatements accounted for 20% of the Metroparks’ foregone revenue, while commercial tax breaks and TIFs made up the rest, according to park system spokesperson Jacqueline Lapine.
Supporters argue that tax subsidies are useful tools for stimulating development, while skeptics have described them as a “race to the bottom.” The breaks typically apply only to the additional property value that projects generate.
It’s routine for governments and school districts to report how tax breaks deflate their bottom lines. Last year, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District missed out on $41.5 million from abatements.
Former housing court judge argues against disciplinary charges
The state office that disciplines judges and attorneys is recommending a penalty on the lighter side for one-term Cleveland Housing Court Judge W. Moná Scott.
The Ohio Disciplinary Counsel filed a complaint in December alleging that she delayed evictions despite orders from an appellate court, forced cases to go to jury trials and told a City of Cleveland attorney, “Don’t act stupid.”
Last month, the disciplinary counsel recommended a one-year suspension of her law license, but that it be stayed. That means she could continue to practice, provided there is no other misconduct. The recommendation is just one step in the disciplinary process, which ultimately goes to the Ohio Supreme Court.
Both sides traded arguments in legal filings in August.
Scott’s attorneys wrote that they agreed with the disciplinary counsel that the former judge “should not spend any time away from the active practice of law.” While acknowledging the former judge made some mistakes, they also rebutted the disciplinary case against their client.
They wrote that there were explanations for the eviction delays. For instance, in one case, Scott didn’t receive an appellate order to proceed with an eviction until days after the deadline, they wrote.
Scott had a “good faith” but “mistaken” belief that she could deny a defendant’s request for a trial by judge rather than by jury, they wrote. And her attorneys noted that she apologized to the city lawyer for her remarks the following day.
The former judge also submitted character references from supporters, including Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin and retired Judge Michael Nelson.
Last November, Scott lost her reelection by less than 2 percentage points to challenger Cheryl Wiltshire.
Cleveland Citywide Development Corp. updates website
Last month, we told you about the Cleveland Citywide Development Corp., a nonprofit that approves city money for business projects on behalf of City Hall. City officials sit on CCDC’s board.
CCDC’s rules require it to post notice of upcoming meetings on its website, and state law also requires advance notice about public meetings. But until recently, CCDC’s website featured a 2025 schedule.
The nonprofit has since rectified that problem. The website now includes a 2026 schedule and current list of board members. The next meeting is Sept. 16.
City Hall previously told Signal Cleveland that questions about how CCDC notified the public about meetings should go to the group itself, because it is a nonprofit separate from city government.
That separation didn’t stop Mayor Justin Bibb from taking credit for a suite of city economic development grants that CCDC approved in August. He dropped by the bar Never Say Dive to announce that the establishment had won a grant from a pool of money tied to Steelyard Commons’ tax-increment financing deal.
“You are the proud recipient of a $10,000 grant from the City of Cleveland,” the mayor said in a video posted to social media. “So we came to give you the good news.”
