Banks Project Moving Forward, Picks up Momentum

"Finally, rather than a mudpit and parking lots, we can fulfill past promises of creating a living, breathing neighborhood on our riverfront," David said after the agreement was reached.  "This is a perfect example of the kind of progress that's possible when the City and County work together."

The Banks encompasses the 18-acre neighborhood on the Cincinnati riverfront between Paul Brown Stadium and Great American Ball Park. When finished, it will include apartments, condominiums, shops, restaurants, office buildings and a 40-acre park. With groundbreaking set for early 2008, people could be living and working at The Banks by the end of 2009.

County to Treat More DUI Offenders - Free up Jail Space

On November 28, the County Commission unanimously approved a motion David introduced that will increase treatment options for first-time DUI offenders while freeing up jail bed space.  The measure initiates action to designate the current Talbert House Reading Road facility as a minimum security correctional facility for the purpose of treating DUI offenders.

State law requires first-time, high-tier DUI offenders to serve 3 days in jail and 3 days in an approved Driver's Intervention Program. The approved measure would allow those offenders to serve their full 6-day term at a secure facility where they would receive the necessary treatment while not taking up space at the Justice Center.  This reform actually saves money for Hamilton County taxpayers.  Talbert House has agreed to pay for the cost of upgrading the facility to the Ohio Bureau of Adult Detention standards, and the program requires that DUI offenders pay for their stay and treatment at the facility.  This reform will free up to 3,000 county jail beds on an annual basis.

"This is a common-sense change that frees up jail space, saves money, and improves the safety on our roads by getting needed treatment to first time DUI offenders," David stated while introducing the motion.

Hamilton County is Growing!

Elected officials from across the County held a press conference on December 6th to announce that Hamilton County's population increased by 20,248 people in 2006.  The US Census Bureau estimated Hamilton County's 2006 population at 822,596--down from 845,303 in 2000.  Because the Census Bureau does not allow counties to challenge Census estimates, the County Commissioners, led by President Todd Portune, and Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory hosted a series of workshop for all of the cities and townships officials in the county to teach them how to challenge their own Census estimate.  The nine cities or townships that challenged were Amberley Village, Blue Ash, Colerain Township, Delhi Township, Green Township, Silverton, Springfield Township, Symmes Township, and Wyoming.  The challenge showed that the populations had increased in those jurisdictions raising the overall County estimate.

The increase population number reverses a decades-long trend in the City and County of population decline.

County Tackling Tough Budget Process

Over the past several months, the Commission has been working hard to balance the 2008 budget by eliminating a $35 million deficit.  The process has been difficult, enlightening, and at times, emotional.  On November 27, over 500 citizens packed the County budget hearing at the Nathaniel Green Lodge to discuss the proposed budget cuts.  Most of those in attendance were Hamilton County Sheriff's deputies there to show support for law enforcement efforts in Over the Rhine and throughout the County. 

In addition to the cuts that we need to make, the County's reserves have dipped to an alarmingly low level, forcing the County to be placed on fiscal watch with the possibility of a bond rating downgrade.  A key goal of the budget process is therefore to replenish the reserves to a healthier level.

"We're paying the price of some poor decisions in recent years," David said.  "But this budget gives us a chance to break some bad habits of previous majorities, and prioritize among the most essential functions the County provides."  To give your feedback on what those priorities should be, click HERE.