Hamilton County Commissioners

More than $4 million is still available for mortgage, utility and property tax assistance in Hamilton County. The board of commissioners launched a $5 million program for that purpose last October, using federal stimulus funds.

Three Hamilton County tax levies could be on the November ballot this year. Two are recommended for renewal at the same property tax rate, and one is recommended for an increase.

Minority- and woman-owned businesses are not getting their fair share of government contracts in Hamilton County, according to a new report conducted for the Board of County Commissioners.

The money comes from license plate fees collected by the county each year; the county engineer’s office got 21 applications for grant funding and chose 11 projects.

A total of 58 units will be built across Lockland, Lincoln Heights and Delhi Township — the lowest number since the county started using this federal program five years ago.

Hamilton County owns the utility, and commissioners approve the budget every year. But Cincinnati operates MSD and negotiates with the labor union. Last year the city approved a 5% cost of living raise, higher than the 2% raise accounted for in the budget.

Commissioners now plan to spend a total $35.5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to produce new units, fix up existing units, and establish a home repair program. Another $5 million will be used for homelessness prevention.

The report is the first step in a forthcoming master plan. Commissioners will have ultimate authority to decide what changes to make to the stadium and how much to spend.

ArtsWave is administering the grants using the county's American Rescue Plan funds. About a quarter of the 53 recipients are getting a pandemic relief grant for the first time.

Millions of dollars from the federal American Rescue Plan is still on the table in Hamilton County and commissioners are starting a debate on how best to spend the money. A consulting firm spent the last few months meeting with stakeholders and developing a list of recommendations.