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.