Overview:
Hamilton County commissioners awarded grants to five agencies providing residents with addiction-related services. The money, which totals more than $1 million, will help with treatment, housing, job training and re-entry.
The money is coming from the OneOhio Recovery Foundation, which was established after Ohio attorneys general sued drug manufacturers and distributors over the opioid crisis.
The commissioners also called for public hearings about plans to renovate Bengals stadium.
Meeting summary:
- Grants totaling more than $1 million were approved for addiction-related programs including treatment, housing, job training and re-entry for Hamilton County.
- Administrator Jeff Alluotto recommended the adoption of several supplemental budget adjustments for the Department of Job & Family Services and for the general fund, which includes risk management, administration, dog warden and state grants.
- Two of the three commissioners agreed that additional public hearings should be conducted regarding the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the county and the Cincinnati Bengals.
Documenter’s follow-up question:
- There is a lot of money awarded for addiction response and treatment programs within the county. Is there a publication citing the specific use of the funds and how many individuals were provided wrap services. Is there a long-term data plan showing the success of the programs?
- What measures are being considered to mitigate the road issues and housing problems cited by the citizen who called in?
At approximately 10:01 a.m., Board of Commissioners President Denise Driehaus called the meeting to order. The clerk conducted roll call, from left to right:
- Kristie Rechel, assistant to the clerk
- Leslie Rohan Hervey, county clerk
- Stephanie Summerow Dumas, vice president of the board
- Denise Driehaus, president of the board
- Alicia Reece, commissioner
- Jeff Aluotto, county administrator
- Patrick Dressing, assistant prosecuting attorney
Driehaus informed attendees that it was the National Day of Prayer and consequently called for silent prayer followed by the Pledge of allegiance. Driehaus had each elected official introduce themselves. After introductions, she motioned to approve the minutes from the previous session and Dumas seconded. Driehaus then moved to follow the agenda beginning with the presentation of proclamations.
Presentations
Two proclamations were awarded. One proclamation was in recognition of Building Safety Month (“Game On” is this year’s theme) presented to James Noyes of the Department of Planning & Development (P&D). The second proclamation recognized Elaine Fey, Workforce Council of SW Ohio, for her work during Hamilton County Job & Family Services/Ohio Means Jobs In-Demand Jobs Week.
Board members expressed their appreciation and respect for the jobs being done by these people. Dumas thanked Noyes for creativity and flexibility in the approach the department uses in providing services. She then thanked Fey and her team for facilitating the jobs program and said they are “continuing to create a middle class.” Reece lauded the P&D department for its implementation of online services, i.e. requests for building permits, and she mused over the 2025 theme, “Game On.”
The proclamation for the Forest Park TIF District presentation, presented to Don Jones, city manager of Forest Park, was tabled for a later meeting.
Public comments
Kamisha Webster called in to complain about the status of roads in the Western Hills area, specifically about the lack of repair for potholes in the streets, and about run-down housing. Driehaus said the county has undertaken a 2025 Plan of Action and is looking into the concerns expressed and thanked her for joining the meeting.
Public hearing
Caity Valley, senior program manager for Hamilton County Community Development, gave an overview of the plan referenced by Driehaus. The overview included descriptions of the process for organizations wanting to contract to provide services, statements of grant amounts available (see agenda), and the process to secure these opportunities.
Joey Daniels, at Joseph House, spoke about the impact of services provided by Joseph House helped him reclaim his life. He now works there.
Joe Hansbauer, director of Habitat for Humanity, thanked Valley and her team for the work they do and its provision of resources to respond to the needs of the citizens of Hamilton County.
Driehaus thanked each for their respective presentations and asked for comments from commissioners. Dumas said she gained a greater understanding of the problems faced when reviewing the many applications submitted for consideration. Reese had no comment. Driehaus asked for other speakers, there was no response, and the public hearing was closed.
Comments/motions (commissioner reports)
- Driehaus attended the unveiling of ArtsWorks murals painted by youth in Walnut Hills.
- Dumas mentioned the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the county and the Cincinnati Bengals. She suggested hearings to discuss the MOU.
- Reese supported that suggestion of public hearings on the MOU.
- Reese reminded everyone that May 6 was Primary Election Day.
- Reese said the 513 Relief Bus has served more than 30,000 individuals.
Regular agenda
Addiction response
Agenda Items 1 – 5: Depicted grant requests for addiction related programs including treatment, housing, job training and re-entry for Hamilton County
State grants for addiction response went to five agencies. Hamilton County is facilitating and distributing opioid settlement money from the OneOhio Recovery Foundation, a fund established after Ohio attorneys general sued drug manufacturers and distributors over the opioid crisis. OneOhio facilitates the settlement money and distributes it to local governments across the state.
These agencies were awarded funds:
- Joseph House awarded $100,000
- Serenity Recovery Network awarded $240,900
- LIT Movement awarded $100,000
- The First Step Home awarded $500,000
- Hamilton County Coroner’s Office awarded $60,000.
All Items were PASSED
Consent agenda
Agenda Items 6 – 16: Recommended adopting resolutions.
Items were related to general fund budget adjustments, receiving donated equipment, authorizing sheriff’s services in Anderson Township, dog warden facility lease, environmental services through the Ohio EPA, JFS youth employment and furniture bank programs, and group home services.
All Items were APPROVED
The meeting adjourned at 11:27 a.m.
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@signalcincinnati.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.
Find more Documenters’ notes on Cincinnati City Council here.