Hamilton County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Hamilton County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Hillcrest wellness campus lease with Talbert House
Talbert House will run the wellness campus at the old Hillcrest Training School for $1 a year, but Reece flagged that the county stays on the hook for security, maintenance and first-year capital — a five-year lease signed before future capital costs are settled.
Delinquent sewer charges at former St. Bernard Soap site
MSD certified $4.79 million in unpaid sewer charges at 5177 Spring Grove Avenue — after the owner paid off an earlier $2.7 million certification. Reece pressed MSD to chase delinquents earlier, before bills hit the millions.
Down Syndrome Awareness Month Proclamation
The county formally recognized Down Syndrome Awareness Month, highlighting the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati's work since 1981, including smart homes that let people with Down syndrome live independently.
Green Township Retail Development & Zone Change
Developers are planning a new retail center with a bank and restaurant at 6320 Harrison Road in Green Township, utilizing existing green space and adding underground stormwater detention.
Delinquent Lodging Excise Tax Certifications
The county is moving forward with certifying unpaid lodging taxes for several local hotels and bed and breakfasts directly onto property tax duplicates. Commissioners discussed ensuring fairness between major hotels owing large sums and smaller operators.
Clean Ohio Green Space Acquisitions
Cardinal Land Conservancy sought county support resolutions to apply for state grants to preserve a 4.3-acre urban site in Cincinnati and a 59-acre forested property in Crosby Township.
University Station Student Housing Bond Financing
The county approved a tax-exempt bond financing plan of up to $75 million through the Port for a student housing project near Xavier University. The approval fulfills federal requirements for host community consent without putting county credit at risk.
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.
Public Transit Safety
A Metro bus driver charged in a city worker's death was found to have 12 prior traffic convictions, sparking major concerns about how transit drivers are vetted in Hamilton County. It's a wake-up call for anyone riding public transit about who's behind the wheel.
Water Utility Dispute
Madeira and Indian Hill are taking their 76-year water partnership to court, which could totally change how your tap water gets delivered. If you live in the area, brace for potential shifts in service and utility management as this legal battle plays out.
Personnel Policy Manual Updates
The county is upgrading workplace support for nursing mothers by setting higher standards for lactation rooms in county facilities, going beyond federal minimums.
Solid Waste Management and Waste Diversion
The county solid waste district maintains a top-tier waste diversion rate of 53.38%, supported by residential recycling incentives, household hazardous waste collection events, and a new on-farm composting pilot program.
Countywide Convening for Women and Girls
A regional summit will be organized to connect residents, nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies to address systemic challenges facing women and girls.
County Fellowship Program Impact
Hamilton County's fellowship program successfully trains young professionals through hands-on experience across multiple departments, leading to operational improvements like streamlined JFS contracting workflows.
2026 Sidewalk Program
The county approved the 2026 Sidewalk Program to repair and replace sidewalks in Colerain, Delhi, and Green Townships.
Women's Veterans Memorial in Eden Park
A national memorial honoring women veterans is being established in Eden Park, building upon the nation's first women veterans memorial placed in Cincinnati in 1985. The project is privately funded and slated for completion by Veterans Day 2026.
Stormwater Drone Technology Acquisition
The Planning and Development Department purchased an advanced AI-powered drone to conduct safe and efficient inspections of hard-to-reach hillside outfalls and stormwater infrastructure, saving labor costs without displacing staff.
Police Misconduct Trial
Special prosecutors are stepping in to handle the trial of a local police officer accused of beating a handcuffed man. This high-profile case is set to be a major test of police accountability in the area.
Group Sales Enterprise Zone Tax Abatement
Group Sales plans a 7,100,000 dollar expansion in Lockland, adding a 72,000-square-foot warehouse addition that retains 38 jobs and creates three new ones. Alloy Development recommended a 75 percent, six-year tax abatement to support the project.
513Relief Bus Services and Metrics
Commissioner Reece raised concerns about tracking and measuring the impact of the 513Relief Bus mobile outreach program, urging staff to better quantify services provided to seniors and residents.
Public Defender Funding and State Obligations
Commissioners discussed state funding shortfalls for the public defender's office, noting that the state still does not fully fund the mandated services provided locally.
Carthage Fairgrounds Property Reconsideration
Commissioner Summerow Dumas proposed reevaluating the use of the 38-acre Carthage Fairgrounds site, currently restricted by state law for agricultural fairs, to explore opportunities for affordable housing.
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.
School Levies
Local school tax levies passed in the latest election, meaning property tax rates are shifting across Hamilton County. Homeowners should check the new numbers to see how their upcoming tax bills will change.
Election Updates
Early voting is underway in Hamilton County with just one week left until Election Day. Now's the time to double-check your polling place and make a plan to vote.
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.
Opioid Settlement Funding
Hamilton County is getting a huge pile of cash from the national opioid settlement. Local leaders now get to figure out how to spend these millions on health and recovery programs in our neighborhoods.
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.
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.
Municipal Court Elections
Heads up, Hamilton County voters! There are two under-the-radar municipal court races happening right now, so you'll want to check your ballot before you head out to vote.