Tana Weingartner

Hamilton County Commissioners are considering wage increases for county employees but first they have to find the money.

Most county employees haven't had a raise in six years.

Board President Chris Monzel wants to institute merit-based increases beginning in July. Those would be contingent on the county administrator figuring out additional revenue sources.

Monzel wants to see how the Governor's budget shakes out before taking action.

The Hamilton County Sheriff's office is asking for extra staff to keep up with the added work now that "revolving door" at the jail is closed.

Major Charmaine McGuffey wants three additional officers to handle increased record keeping. She's asking for two officers with a base pay of $37,000 and one at $42,000 (not including benefits).

The department also wants to purchase 215 additional electronic monitoring units and add two staff to operate them. The total price tag for that would be around $546,126.

People were outraged last week when the group that puts on the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade said a gay rights group couldn't march. Now at least seven Cincinnati Council members (two hadn't responded as of Friday afternoon) are prepared to approve a motion making sure that doesn't happen again.

Councilman Chris Seelbach's motion would require all parades receiving a financial subsidy from the city - and there are four - must agree in writing to adhere to the city's non-discrimination policy.

Now that spring is here, yard work is certain to follow.

The Hamilton County Recycling and Solid Waste District’s free yard trimmings drop-off sites re-open Saturday, March 23.

You must be a county resident and bring proof such as a driver’s license or utility bill.