Response to county commissioners' letter

I am writing in response to the recent op-ed from the Erie County Commissioners. During my tenure as general counsel for Cedar Fair, I had the privilege of working alongside a broad team — including community stakeholders, local leaders, and business partners — to help advance the development of the Cedar Point Sports Center. It was encouraging to see this important community achievement acknowledged. However, the Commissioners' statement notably understates the deliberate and collaborative process that was critical to the project's success — a process that stands in stark contrast to the opaque approach they have recently taken in attempting to change state law to divert a significant portion of the lodging tax. Accurately representing the full story — including the many partners and cooperative efforts that brought this vision to life—is not only fair, but essential to maintaining the trust and transparency our community deserves. The Cedar Point Sports Center is a milestone achievement for Erie County. It has significantly boosted year-round tourism, supported local businesses, and delivered long-term economic benefits. But this did not happen by chance. It was the result of careful planning, a shared vision, and broad consensus — centered around a bold yet strategic decision to raise the local lodging tax cap from 3% to 4%. In 2012, the Erie County Visitors and Convention Bureau — now Shores & Islands Ohio — commissioned a feasibility study for a regional sports complex. The findings showed strong demand, but no private developer emerged. To move forward, a public-private partnership was needed, involving Cedar Fair, Erie County, and Shores & Islands Ohio. Crucially, financing depended on leveraging local lodging tax revenue. What followed was a sustained, 12-to-18-month dialogue among stakeholders — led by Cedar Fair — and including the County Commissioners and Shores & Islands Ohio. Initially, the discussion focused on using the untapped third percent of the lodging tax to support bond financing for the development of an outdoor sports facility. However, stakeholders — particularly Shores & Islands Ohio and local hoteliers — expressed concerns that this approach could exhaust funding available for future capital initiatives. A clear and workable solution began to take shape through conversations with then–State Senator Randy Gardner: raising the statutory lodging tax cap to 4% to allow greater flexibility for future capital projects. Senator Gardner indicated he would support the legislation — but only if there was clear evidence of local consensus. That evidence came in the form of a resolution of support adopted by the Erie County Commissioners and a strong letter of support from Shores & Islands Ohio. With that unified front, Senator Gardner led the charge in Columbus and guided the successful passage of the necessary legislation. The result was a smart, sustainable, and community-backed funding model that brought the Cedar Point Sports Center to life. Today, the Center stands not only as a vital economic engine, but also as a symbol of what is possible when local leaders work together with transparency, accountability, and mutual respect. In sharp contrast, the Commissioners' recent attempt to use the state budget process to divert a significant portion of the lodging tax was advanced without meaningful dialogue — no outreach to Shores & Islands Ohio, no consultation with local businesses or hoteliers, and no effort to build consensus. At the urging of the Erie County Commissioners — and despite the substantial impact on our tourism economy — State Senator Theresa Gavarone introduced a budget amendment that would allow certain counties, including Erie County, to redirect two-thirds of their lodging tax collections away from convention and visitors' bureaus like Shores & Islands Ohio. The budget amendment was submitted without any meaningful engagement with the community or the very businesses that generate these lodging taxes. Unlike the approach taken by Senator Gardner, there was no requirement to demonstrate any form of local support. Given the direct impact the proposed amendment would have on resources critical to driving visitation to our region — and the vital role tourism plays in sustaining our local economy — it is difficult to understand why neither the Commissioners nor Senator Gavarone made any meaningful effort to inform or consult community stakeholders. This disregard for public input and transparent process is not only disappointing; it reflects an unproductive and shortsighted approach to an issue of significant importance. Fortunately, once the business community became aware of the proposed budget amendment, a coalition of impacted stakeholders quickly mobilized to provide essential feedback on the negative consequences of the proposal. As a result, a so-called "compromise" provision was developed as an alternative to the original amendment. The need for even that "compromise" is unclear, given that Commissioner Shenigo sits on the Shores & Islands Ohio board and Commissioner Old serves on the grant committee — roles that already offer them direct input into funding decisions. This is in addition to the longstanding spirit of collaboration between Shores & Islands Ohio and the County Commissioners, a partnership that has supported major tourism-related infrastructure projects such as the Route 250 corridor improvements and the Cedar Point Sports Center. Equally troubling is the broader shift away from the collaborative, consensus-driven approach that once defined our region's success. The Cedar Point Sports Center stands as proof that when government, business, and tourism leaders work together with shared purpose, transformational outcomes are possible. That spirit of cooperation should remain our model — and our expectation — moving forward. Duff Milkie Chair, Greater Sandusky Partnership