CLEVELAND, Ohio — As the Trump administration threatens to strip cities of federal funding, Cleveland is set to receive a boost from Bloomberg Philanthropies, which is stepping in with a $1.5 million donation to fund three new employees at City Hall.

These positions, focused on sustainability and reducing lead poisoning, could come at no cost to the city — offering support at a time when federal dollars hang in the balance. The foundation, established by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, is also providing an additional $120,000 for related expenses, reinforcing its commitment to helping cities tackle urgent public health and environmental challenges.

The employees are part of the foundations’ Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities initiative. Bloomberg Philanthropies says it’s spending $200 million to pay for employees in 25 U.S. cities to combat climate change and drive equitable outcomes. Akron, Dayton, Columbus and Cincinnati are also part of the program.

Sarah O’Keeffe, Cleveland’s director of sustainability and climate justice, told members of City Council that these employees will support the city’s ongoing initiatives, including working on reducing lead poisoning in the city.

The help also comes at a time when the federal government, under President Donald Trump, is less keen on helping cities with their climate goals.

“It will help Cleveland to navigate new waters of current national trends of pausing and defunding climate action and environmental sustainability funding,” O’Keefe said during a council committee meeting on Thursday.

The employees would work at City Hall through April 2027, according to a presentation given to council members. Payroll would be administered by John Hopkins University, which is overseeing the Bloomberg effort. The staff would report to Mayor Justin Bibb.

The Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities would recruit the employees, though City Hall would help guide the hiring process.

O’Keefe said the three employees would be part of an “innovation team” that works with the rest of the city to develop policy solutions to fix problems like energy burden, which is when residents are paying a large percentage of their income on utilities like electricity and natural gas.

The new staffers also could be assigned to work on the city’s lead crisis. Despite Cleveland’s efforts to rid rental homes of lead, recent findings show that children are still being poisoned in properties that had passed certification.

The city’s lead safety initiative, launched in 2019, was intended to protect children from exposure by requiring landlords to obtain lead-safe certifications for their properties. However, data shows that at least 11 children diagnosed with lead poisoning lived in homes that had already been certified.

City officials, including Bibb, have called for stronger enforcement and a more thorough assessment process to ensure that homes are truly free of lead hazards before certification is granted.

The new employees would try to accelerate what the city is already trying to achieve in those target areas, O’Keefe said.

The presentation didn’t include any specific programs or goals for these new employees to achieve.

Some council members were skeptical that the new employees would get much done.

Councilman Mike Polensek, having been on City Council since 1978, said he’s seen many initiatives that focused on “feely good stuff” that didn’t lead to actual changes.

O’Keefe said the idea of this Bloomberg effort is to accelerate the city’s efforts, but that it leaves it up to the cities like Cleveland to decide how they want to receive that help.

She said Cleveland and the new employees will develop ways to measure their achievements.

Councilman Kris Harsh was also skeptical. While O’Keefe tried to explain the initiative’s goal-setting process, Harsh said “With all due respect, that sounds like just well-educated gibberish.”

Harsh said the Bloomberg initiative was essentially just giving Bibb three extra staffers at no cost.

O’Keefe said these Bloomberg employees bring a lot of resources to the city, including expertise on climate issues, at a time when federal funding is being pulled back.

Councilman Kevin Bishop said having these employees, along with partners like John Hopkins University and the National Resources Defense Council, could bring valuable outside perspective that helps city staff achieve their goals.

Council’s utilities committee ultimately voted in favor of accepting the free Bloomberg employees. The legislation will need to be approved by the full City Council.

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