Summary: 2008 Plan for Growth and Opportunity

By Todd Portune

Portune proposes "dramatic steps" to maintain County's fiscal health, improve safety and quality of life

After spending 2007 getting the County's fiscal house in order, Commission President Todd Portune called 2008 an "Exciting opportunity in the history of Hamilton County to take dramatic steps ahead" as he unveiled his 2008 Plan for Growth and Positive Change at today's Commission meeting. The plan is a policy, legislative and programmatic agenda for the County.

Portune's detailed plan will support the County's top priorities for 2008, which include:

• Keeping the County's fiscal house in order.
• Improving public safety and complete the reforms required to solve our corrections space problem.
• Improving quality of life in the County.

I. GROW REVENUES AND LIMIT EXPENDITURES:

Increase the County's earnings on investments - Empower the County Cabinet of Economic Advisors to develop an aggressive strategy of investments that are guaranteed to increase the County's earnings on investments create a positive growth climate for business.

Increase the Port's revenue and economic development potential - Reform the Cincinnati-Hamilton County Port Development Authority, allowing it to negotiate more operating agreements and participate in the Ohio Treasurer's Linked Deposit Business Retention and Support Programs.

Reduce demands for services and increase earnings power of Hamilton County residents - Declare a War on Poverty, attacking poverty, hunger, unemployment and underemployment.

Limit County expenditures - Enforce the aggressive budget reserve policy.

Limit taxes and fees paid by County residents + Charge the Tax Levy Review Commission with conducting tax burden analysis. Press for more cost effective alternatives for the Metro. Sewer District repairs, including elevating the Federal government's responsibility.

Grow Riverfront Stadium revenues that benefit the County - Including efforts that could involve naming rights sales and developing a stadium entertainment authority. (The fund currently reflects a $191 million deficit in 2013)

Retain the County's current bond rating by Moody's + demonstrate the fiscal work the County undertook in 2007 and collaborative fiscal plans for 2008.

II. PUBLIC SAFETY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMS:

Reduce Crime + Assign the former Over-The-Rhine patrol deputies into communities where they are invited by elected leaders and law enforcement. Create Citizens on Patrol/Citizen Corps in every community deemed necessary.

Reduce jail overcrowding - Implement recommendations of the Hamilton County Criminal Justice Commission, expand Intake and Assessment Program, implement the Certificate of Rehabilitation program and develop the right kind of corrections facilities.

Improve Emergency Warning System - Complete the first phase of our emergency warning system repair.

Increase Effectiveness of our Veteran assistance - Assess the needs of area veterans and their families and collaborate with state and Federal government so they will be provided for.

III. QUALITY OF LIFE:

Initiate Aggressive Environmental Agenda - Commit to reduce global warming emissions by 2% per year, partner with State of Ohio to benefit from Governor's "green" initiatives.

Improve student achievement - Expand the collaboration with local school districts to increase student performance and decrease drop out rates

Prioritize public health and access to health care - Stabilize and augment access to health care and to reduce specific disease or conditional concerns such as Infant Mortality and SIDS.

Advance County and region's public transportation options + Ensure that public transportation is a priority service

Provide for competitive, affordable and livable housing + Encourage attractive alternatives to housing being built in nearby counties.

Introduce reforms to lending and foreclosure practices + Reform practices so we can eliminate the blight in neighborhoods and predatory practices of others.

Complete County's Human Services delivery reforms - Make the experience more beneficial for the customers we serve and make the process more efficient and economical in favor of the taxpayers of the county, and safe on behalf of the individual clients we serve.