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This Month's Citizen Survey:
Think you know a lot about Hamilton County and its history? Take our quiz and find out. We will annouce a winner and the answers in next months newsletter.
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| June Pepperspectives: Turning the Ship Around
It didn't generate much attention this month, but Hamilton County succeeded in being removed from Moody's "watch" list for a credit downgrade. While we're not out of the woods yet, this was a major step in the right direction.
Let me be blunt. The Hamilton County financial picture we inherited in 2007 was in shambles. Thanks to decisions by the prior County majority, millions had been committed from what had been a healthy reserve fund to pay for temporary band-aid solutions to our jail problems. Add to that the terrible acts under the prior coroner, which led to lawsuit settlements that again drained millions from that fund. Overall, there was little spending discipline or strategic thinking about changing the fundamentals of the County's situation--and far too much new spending came from the reserve fund, as opposed to being budgeted, or offset with spending cuts.
In sum, our rainy day fund was squandered for short-term reasons. Even worse, it then started raining! The bad economy has led to slumping sales and property tax revenues, and the low interest rates have dramatically cut the amount of revenues the County receives throught interest. So just as our reserve fund was squandered, our other revenue streams slumped.
Despite these challenges, we successfully showed Moody's that the new leadership at the County is responsible and serious, and has begun pursuing a roadmap out of our problems.
We explained that we have implemented a new reserve policy that imposes long-needed discipline and will restore our reserves over time. That we cut off our reliance on the million-dollar and wasteful Butler County band-aid that we could no longer afford, and are pursuing less costly ways to solve our jail crisis. That we have imposed spending caps on purchases of every day items and goods, and that we are digging deep to eliminate waste and unnecessary spending. That we are cutting back on non-core functions, consolidating departments when necessary, and doing everything we can to explore the efficiency of "shared services" with governments throughout our County and region. That we are taking tough steps, requiring real sacrifice, such as imposing hiring and wage freezes to get through this difficult time. And that we have tasked an Economic Development Cabinet to generate other big-picture ideas on how to solve our problems over the long haul.
And equally importantly, we emphasized that we remain committed to a pro-growth policy, so we ultimately grow our way out of this problem . . . by continuing to invest in economic development, housing and housing rehabilitation, transportation infrastructure, workforce development, priority projects such as the Banks, and working hard with our government and private sector partners to secure every business, every job, every convention, and every visitor possible that we can in Hamilton County.
The framework we laid out solved the short-term challenge of the Moody's rating. They now know that the new leadership of the County is serious about solving our challenges in a responsible way, and eliminated us from the watch list accordingly. As they said: "Favorably, county management, with the support of its elected officials, has implemented key policies to address the county's narrowing liquidity [and] restore reserves. . . The county has undertaken a broad strategic intitiative targeting key financial challenges . . . and significant cost reductions have been made." Click Here to read the full Moody's assessment.
We are pleased with the Moody's report. Long-term, though, it is the implementation of the vision we laid out--disciplined spending, proactive economic and job growth--that is most important to the County's future.
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Tackling Domestic Violence in Public Housing
Recently, after newspaper accounts described domestic violence concerns within public housing, David brought together leaders from the Cincinnati Metro Housing Authority (CMHA) and the YWCA of Greater Cincinnati to explore partnering to address the issue proactively. While the dialogue is just beginning, David hopes the partnership will lead to better access to counseling and prevention services, and possibly more options for the temporary shelter of women in danger.
"The YWCA can provide invaluable help to CMHA as it tackles this challenging issue, and it's great to see the two institutions working together," David said. Domestic violence annually ranks as one of the top two or three causes of homicides in our community.
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"Project Disarm" Locks Up County's Most Violent Criminals
In May, the County Commissioners received a very positive update on the Project Disarm initiative. Under the initiative, prosecutors use the most stringent federal sentences to the County's most dangerous criminals--specifically, these are the offenders violating federal gun laws as they commit their crimes, and are too often the ones using those guns at a moment's notice on the streets of our community.
Over the past year, thanks to funding from the Commissioners, the County Prosecutor has hired several prosecutors who work in close conjunction with the United States Attorney's Office and local police authorities throughout the County. Together, they screen cases from around the County to bring the most serious into the "Project Disarm" pipeline. The initiative has already locked up dozens of the region's most serious criminals for an average of more than seven years--far longer than what these criminals would have faced locally. And they spend this time in the federal corrections system, freeing up local jail space.
Even the criminal element is beginning to understand the consequences of the approach. Those facing prosecution have begun to ask, with worry, if the prosecutors plan to "go federal" on them.
"This is locking up the worst and most dangerous offenders where they belong--in our federal system," David said. "Thanks to the hard work of our prosecutors, it's off to a great start, and we are confident this approach will continue to effectively fight violent crime in our community."
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Home Improvement Program (HIP) Reinstated
As part of an ongoing effort to spark both economic and population growth and improve the quality of life for County residents, the Commissioners reinstated the widely popular Home Improvement Program (HIP). HIP allows qualifying property owners to receive a reduced interest rate when taking out a home improvement loan from a participating bank. Loans can be used for a variety of improvement projects including additions, remodeling, roof, sidewalk, and driveway repairs, energy efficient upgrades, windows, siding, furnaces and more.
HIP had been suspended as part of the 2008 budget cuts, but thanks to low interest rates that made the cost of reinstatement negligible, the Commissioners were thrilled to reinstate the program in time for the home remodeling season. "The HIP program is a real incentive for Hamilton County residents not only to stay in the County but also to improve their homes. It benefits both the economy and the overall quality of our neighborhoods." David said
To find out more information about the HIP program requirements and how to apply, visit the HIP Program website HERE or contact the HIP Program at 946-8234.
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County Hosts Green Summit
On June 3rd, Hamilton County convened elected officials and administrators from 17 jurisdictions across the County to discuss pragmatic ways to reduce emissions and save tax dollars through energy efficiency, while creating good "green jobs" The summit included a discussion of national best practices that have saved money and cut emissions in cities in counties, and as it concluded, the group agreed to form a County Climate working team to lay out a long-term strategy to implement such practices throughout our region.
"We at the County are working hard to do our part to reduce emissions and pursue a 'green agenda,'" David said. "We want to do all we can to partner with other governments in the region so they can do the same."
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Electronic Monitoring Helps End Early Releases
Hamilton County Commissioners partnered with the County's judges to acquire up to 200 additional EMUs (electronic monitoring units) in an ongoing effort to relieve jail overcrowding and end early releases of prisoners. The additional EMUs will allow the Sheriff's Department to remotely monitor more low level offenders, freeing up jail space for more violent offenders who must remain incarcerated.
"Ending the early release of criminals is our top priority as a County, and EMUs have proven to be one of the most cost-effective ways to do this," said County Commissioner David Pepper.
So far this year, through a variety of actions spearheaded by the Criminal Justice Commission and Courthouse, the County has not had to release early any male inmates, a dramatic change from years past.
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Pepper Banks Survey Results
Here's what 230 readers had to say about the Banks
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By far the top priority for the Banks was entertainment, and dining was a decisive second. Recreation/park came in third.
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83% said the Banks would make them more likely to come downtown
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73% would likely visit the Banks if there was improved public transportation
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91% would be in favor of having a park that spanned the riverfront, with walking/biking trails, picnic areas, art work, and botanical gardens
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60% of respondents said they would consider living on the Banks, depending on the price.
There was a lot of enthusiastic and creative feedback from people (and they said a lot!), but again, ideas on entertainment dominated:
"make it a living 24/7 community"
"Definitely blend it in with downtown, so as to not have the "suburban feel" as the younger generation is wanting the urban city as their back door"
"Make a sports environment for pre and post-gamers from GABP and Paul Brown as well as unique restaurants and retail"
"Green buildings, trees and a green roof on buildings. Design and redesign downtown streets in a more New-Urbanist way to encourage walking and biking in downtown"
"Unique restaurants, both high end and casual. Outdoor patios, maybe an amphitheater for concerts or entertainment. Coffee shops, fun bars, open air shops and local retailers"
"We need to take advantage of our Riverfront and make a harbor atmosphere with marinas in addition to everything on land"
Specifically, readers wanted to see an ESPN Zone, Hard Rock Café, H&M, Jimmy Buffet's, Starbucks, Graeters, LaRosa's, Izzy's, Old Spaghetti Factory, House of Blues, Dewey's, Fresh Market, a Stratosphere/Space Needle Monument, Planet Hollywood, and Friday's, just to name a few.
Several readers also suggested we look at other cities such as Chicago, Louisville, San Antonio, Las Vegas, Seattle, Baltimore and Boston for inspiration.
Thanks for all the great ideas!
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Quick Links
To visit the County website and learn more about the County Commissioners and County business
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Hamilton County Recycling Programs Free to County Residents
Hazardous Waste Collection Program:
March 1st - November 22nd.
Yard Waste Drop Off:
March 29th - November 30.
Computer Recycling:
March 31 - December 30th.
For more information about these free collection programs - including further details about acceptable and unacceptable items and times facilities are open, call the Recycling Hotline at 946-7766 or visit http://www.hamiltoncountyrecycles.org.
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