Hamilton County Commissioners Unanimously Approve 2025 Budget
County Budget Breakdown: Prioritizes Public Safety, Future-Focused Growth and Direct Services to Residents
Hamilton County, Ohio (December 12, 2024) – The Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners has approved a $389.7 MM County Budget for 2025 following a unanimous decision at Thursday's public meeting.
To ensure the County's financial health, the 2025 budget prioritizes core services and strategic investments amid a complex fiscal landscape, marked by the expiration of federal pandemic relief funds, slower revenue growth, and inflation. The 2025 Approved Budget is lower than the 2024 budget by about $6 million primarily due to nonrecurring expenses in capital and the cost of running the presidential election in 2024. Commissioners are maintaining essential services, finding ways to transition critical ARPA programs to alternative funding sources, while also investing in our growing economy through infrastructure and technology.
Key points of the 2025 Budget:
Transitioning Targeted ARPA Programs: Hamilton County is strategically utilizing the remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to address critical needs and ensure program sustainability. Key ARPA-funded initiatives that will continue into 2025 include: affordable housing and home repair; mental health and crisis services; economic development; workforce development / job creation; and childcare.
In addition, the County is transitioning several popular and impactful ARPA-funded programs to sustainable funding sources such as levies. The Senior Utility Assistance Program, the 513Relief Bus, and the INSPIRE Program will continue beyond the ARPA funding expiration.
“As we enter a period of transition, we successfully closed a $53 million gap, provided the full 30% property tax rollback, fully funded public safety, continued investments in affordable housing, expanded critical services like the 513Relief Bus, supported small business districts, economic development, and tourism.” said Commission President Alicia Reece.
Investments Continue in County Infrastructure: A key priority of the County over the past several years has been addressing capital improvements in critical County facilities. The 2025 Budget allocates $5 million in annual investment in County infrastructure. Additionally in 2025, the County continues progress on core infrastructure improvements and on projects such as the Hamilton County Regional Safety Complex, Hillcrest, Emergency Management/9-1-1 Facility consolidation, Justice Center improvements, animal care facility improvements, capital improvements at Paycor Stadium, and a Facility Condition Assessment at Great American Ballpark.
Public Safety: Continued investments in law enforcement and emergency services, with new allocations to modernize facilities and improve response capabilities.
Community Investments: The 2025 Budget continues to invest over $2 million in partnerships with local communities to drive infrastructure and economic development improvements. It allows for the continuation of grant funding for large and small events and the use of onetime resources to enable the County to play a role in catalytic community and economic development efforts being proposed such as attraction of a National Women Soccer League franchise and the community’s effort to attract Sundance Film Festival to Greater Cincinnati.
"By partnering with the community through local initiatives like the Community Revitalization Grant and the Large Event Grant – and supporting investments that attract major economic drivers like a National Women's Soccer League franchise and the Sundance Film Festival – we will enhance our community's reputation and drive economic growth,” said Commissioner Denise Driehaus.
Technology Improvements to Drive Efficiency: While growth in the 2025 Budget is limited, strategic investments continue to be made in technology to drive efficiency and improve service. Nowhere is this truer than in public safety where enhanced camera technology was installed in 2024 to facilitate real-time crime analysis and response and where drones have been employed to provide law enforcement with new ways of tracking and intervening in public safety threats. The 2025 Budget continues to support technology investments across the organization where they can drive efficiencies.
Core Services are Maintained & Taxation Remains at Current Levels: The 2025 budget prioritizes core services while exercising fiscal responsibility. While there are limitations on new programs and initiatives, the County remains committed to maintaining essential services at levels comparable to 2024. This includes public safety, public health, and social services.
“This budget prioritizes core services that we know work and provide great benefit to our citizens while finding new ways to sustain programs like INSPIRE.” said Commissioner Stephanie Summerow Dumas. “We’re ensuring that our residents continue to receive the support they need.”
Lear more about the 2025 Administrators Reccomended Budget and the approved budget adjustments on the Budget and Strategic Initiatives page.