BY LISA DONOVAN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Cincinnati City Council moved closer Wednesday to making good on a vow to pay $100 million over 20 years to fix some of the city's crumbling public school buildings.
Councilman Charlie Winburn signed on to a proposal that would draw largely from the general fund and avoid a ticket tax increase. Mr. Winburn's support means there are enough votes to pass the measure during next Wednesday's meeting.
Mayor Roxanne Qualls and Councilman Todd Portune, Democrats, as well as Republican Jeanette Cissell and Charterite Jim Tarbell already signed off on the measure.
"I'm delighted Mr. Winburn has come around to support our proposal," Mr. Portune said.
Mr. Winburn said he supported the measure, which had been tinkered with, only because the final version didn't call for a tax increase. "It's a sound plan, it will serve the taxpayers," Mr. Winburn said.
The plan draws from several sources. Approximately $29 million would come from anticipated growth in admissions tax revenues as a result of the construction of two new stadiums. That figure also includes new dollars that would be generated by applying the city's 2.1 percent earnings tax to the paychecks of visiting athletes and entertainers. City residents or those who work in the city have to pay the tax.
Republican Phil Heimlich said levying the city's earnings tax on visiting entertainers and athletes amounts to a tax hike, something he doesn't favor.
"You're taxing people who weren't taxed before," he said. Mr. Winburn said it isn't a tax hike, and that everyone who works or lives in the city should be subject to the 2.1 percent earnings tax.
"That is not a tax increase," he said. "Everybody ought to pay their fair share."
While Mr. Heimlich has not made a final decision on the plan, council members Tyrone Yates, Dwight Tillery and Minette Cooper have said a small increase in the ticket tax is a better way to raise the money.
The three -- and former councilwoman Bobbie Sterne -- had agreed to a proposal that would raise the city's 3 percent ticket tax. Mayor Roxanne Qualls initially voted with the four but has changed her position.
It remains unclear whether a sports and entertainment industry coalition will continue with a November ballot initiative that would permanently cap the ticket tax at 3 percent.
