Hamilton County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Hamilton County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
County Budget Adjustments and Facility Investments
The county is moving forward with Phase 2 of the Regional Safety Complex by awarding a $22.79 million construction contract and approving an $11.27 million budget adjustment. This project will replace the outdated gun range in Evendale and provide a modern training facility for law enforcement, though total project costs have grown to $50.9 million due to inflation and regulatory delays.
Infant Mortality Reduction and Community Champions
Cradle Cincinnati shared updated health data showing positive trends in reducing infant mortality rates in Hamilton County while honoring community advocates, researchers, and home visitors.
Surveillance Technology
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office has put a temporary pause on its automated license plate reader cameras. If you care about police tracking your daily commute and neighborhood privacy, this is a development worth watching.
Air Quality and Public Health Outreach
A resident voiced concerns regarding foul odors and potential building/zoning code violations from the Syntica plant, noting impacts across multiple neighborhoods and asking for county assistance.
Affordable Housing Preservation and Eviction Prevention
CMHA CEO Gregory Johnson requested funding to preserve affordable housing units across the county and proposed a partnership to prevent evictions caused by sudden rent hikes.
Cybersecurity Attack
A local Hamilton County village got hit by a ransomware attack, proving just how easy it is for hackers to break into our local government computers.
Political Endorsements
Local Republicans just locked in their official endorsements for the Cincinnati City Council race, kicking the upcoming municipal election into high gear. If you care about who's running the city, this is the starting gun for local politics.
Gun Regulations
A judge just hit pause on Cincinnati's local gun rules while a lawsuit plays out. This could shake up how city leaders handle public safety in your neighborhood.
Lawsuit Dismissal
A judge just threw out the City of Wilmington and Clinton County from a massive $27 million wrongful death lawsuit over a man dying in custody. That means taxpayers are off the hook for this specific chunk of legal drama, though the case itself isn't completely dead.
public Wi-Fi expansion
Mt. Healthy is teaming up with local and state partners, plus altafiber, to roll out high-speed public Wi-Fi so you can stay connected while you're out and about. It's a huge win for anyone who needs reliable internet without burning through their mobile data.
Ballot Language
The state Supreme Court told Hamilton County to rewrite its confusing affordable housing fund ballot language so voters know what they're actually voting on. Expect clearer, more straightforward descriptions the next time a housing measure comes up for a vote.
Political Appointment
Former city councilman Charlie Winburn is Hamilton County's new treasurer, picked by local Republicans to fill an open seat. This hands control of the county's money to a seasoned local politician.
Public Health Portal
Hamilton County launched a new website designed to make scheduling COVID-19 vaccines much easier for everyone. If you are trying to find out where and when to get your shot locally, this portal is your new best friend.
Political Appointments
Suburban Republican Ted Winkler is pulling the strings to help pick Cincinnati city council members, leaving locals wondering why someone from outside the city is messing with our local government. It's a shady behind-the-scenes move that gives outsiders way too much say in city affairs.
Debt Management
The Federal Reserve is stepping up to buy short-term debt from Cincinnati and Hamilton County, giving local governments a much-needed financial cushion to survive the coronavirus cash crunch.
Stay-at-home Order Enforcement
Local authorities in Cincinnati and Hamilton County are cracking down on the state's stay-at-home order to help slow the spread of the pandemic. You can expect tighter local rules and a much heavier enforcement presence on the streets.