[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6239271,"mediaKeyId","3338221-9fc78c075e4f39be872aafc4e4bb735f","parentId",3338221,"title","Hamilton County adopts paid leave for live organ and bone‑marrow donors in personnel policy update","audioSeconds",430,"startMs",7007000,"endMs",7437000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3338221-9fc78c075e4f39be872aafc4e4bb735f&start=7007&end=7437","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3338221-9fc78c075e4f39be872aafc4e4bb735f/thumbnail_7007000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6239271/Hamilton-County/Ohio/Hamilton-County-adopts-paid-leave-for-live-organ-and-bonemarrow-donors-in-personnel-policy-update","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239271-397d9cdf5931e7a556a1c059819595d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770670009&Signature=Kggp8h6EJnU3lVzP0ObmX9i5V7UPjMOkXc-KZ3aaO2z2glGfRCeAHtv8IO7uIRS7YPHI2k~LO7j~bgeeewb38FTpiEfQeiYEmgJQTQcpgA-LuV~9AqGUZFTyBRBjQaurnBWF3O0eXhgGX6YIbOZT4a6EWJLomj660tFJZ8qhhVO-4OIoPe5xHcuQaR04CizeiCUvVwC3Y16P6wQShUbZwdbCpw4LTBjCGZModt8jbeksa7AXDPq-TbIRIy9mSbJewVp0c1d4UI9mySalBBA6Nl2Ym0Dn39WOFOHisK5AyAREfAdd9m6ulbHXsIUlYnc8uF~SwoYi4u00eWU00cnreg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hamilton County OH","date","2025-05-16T04:01:39Z","article","Hamilton County commissioners on May 15 approved an update to the county personnel policy that provides paid leave for employees who donate a live organ or bone marrow.

The change was included as item 12 on the consent agenda and was presented by county staff as a personnel-policy amendment intended to remove a barrier for county employees who are live donors. County officials and commissioners praised the change during the meeting; Commissioners said the policy will support employees and may save lives.

Commission President Denise Driehaus thanked UC Health and other partners for bringing the policy forward. Commissioners and staff noted a specific example: one county employee reported that a spouse had received a bone‑marrow transplant. Commissioners described the policy as a continuation of the county’s efforts to support employee health and noted the county’s interpreter services and other inclusions aimed at accessibility and equity.

The paid-leave amendment was adopted as part of the consent agenda (items 6–20). Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the consent agenda and the personnel policy change. The consent items also included a series of procurement, insurance and program agreements; the full consent agenda was approved in a single vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hamilton County Commissioners Regular Meetings 5/15/25","oneSentenceSummary","As part of the consent agenda, commissioners updated the county personnel policy to provide paid leave for employees who donate a live organ or bone marrow; commissioners and health partners described the change as a life‑saving benefit. The motion passed as part of the consent agenda items 6–20.","taxTitle","Hamilton County, Ohio","taxId",2657,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6239276,"Hamilton County approves HCR 1 Ohio grants including funding for new crisis center and community prevention programs",1209,5721000,6930000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3338221-9fc78c075e4f39be872aafc4e4bb735f&start=5721&end=6930","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3338221-9fc78c075e4f39be872aafc4e4bb735f/thumbnail_5721000.jpg","/articles/6239276/Hamilton-County/Ohio/Hamilton-County-approves-HCR-1-Ohio-grants-including-funding-for-new-crisis-center-and-community-prevention-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239276-b37bd465510582f4b9656df89fbc9265/orig.mp4?Expires=1770670009&Signature=izajljns0TgWXNVU5EC-SanAo8DH2IvmhpnZQR65XOXijtMwc-t4UAJI84J2V0z1dCgCl3fGLZLGeKQqJ0mVIDQPh12OwpOlZhzRzhs7-daNPbbUmMyMOxTI3BC2EhMl4J8NUnOqNotFdLrd89BLDJ15xbjZnWtT11cPuV8AvOVmxHveh9lxrUn8qQ-5xjdAQuqW8N10RoOuKPLPsLp1GM8amxJKV9~-El5LcFSHR0PWn~jD5mzZEv1CVT5Dn7VdLUNDTGs-Qw9wZnbQDuMyQg~mvNuNFOiAq3PEu16kCaEvW1weNDA3mA4LLsuT9wPYaW~5US3eSWKJQP5vZg35Jw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hamilton County commissioners on May 15 approved four contract awards under the county’s HCR (Health and Community Resources) 1 Ohio local allocation, directing prevention, treatment and recovery-support dollars to local providers.

The board approved the following items as part of the regular agenda:

- A1 Stigma Free Coalition: a prevention grant of $90,000 over two years to support outreach, a part‑time administrative position and media/outreach supplies. Monte Barnett, founder and CEO, said the program focuses on reducing stigma around overdose deaths and improving mental-health supports in African‑American communities.

- Talbert House (Hamilton County Crisis Center): a capital-and-treatment award totaling $650,000. Speakers said $350,000 will support capital infrastructure for the new crisis center; $300,000 will support treatment and mental-health services. Talbert House representatives said the crisis center — a roughly $12 million project — is set to open in July at 510 Oak Street (the Old Oak Pavilion) and will deliver a range of crisis and stabilization services, short-term residential care, outpatient services, peer recovery support and medication-assisted treatment. Talbert House estimated the facility will increase capacity and enable the system to serve an additional 400 individuals over two years, and described the center as the focal point of the county’s crisis continuum.

- Fatherless to Fearless: a prevention grant to expand an existing social-emotional learning program (BRIDAL) working in Cincinnati public schools; the program targets girls in kindergarten through sixth grade and is expected to reach about 250 youth. Candace Greer said the program builds coping skills and self-worth to reduce behavioral risks.

- Cincinnati Union Bethel (doing business as HER Cincinnati): a recovery-supports grant to add a peer position and to support CARF accreditation so the agency can expand services for women with trauma, substance-use disorder and related needs.

Abby Fritsch, who introduced the items, said the awards are part of the county’s local 1 Ohio allocation and the county-city joint partnership rollout. Commissioners praised the mix of prevention, treatment, recovery-support and capital investments and noted that county staff worked to ensure local, grassroots providers could access grant funds.

Commission President Denise Driehaus moved to approve regular agenda items 1 through 4; the motion passed unanimously. Commissioners said they will continue monitoring the programs’ implementation and asked staff to return with any necessary updates on outcomes and timelines.

Talbert House representatives noted that some parts of the crisis center will operate 24 hours — for example, some stabilization and engagement services — and that staff will be available to receive people outside regular business hours. Exact operational hours and staffing plans will be finalized as the facility opens, Talbert House said.

The approved awards are part of Hamilton County’s broader HCR strategy to support community-based prevention, expand treatment capacity and strengthen recovery supports with local partners.","The Board approved four HCR 1 Ohio contract items: A1 Stigma Free Coalition ($90,000 prevention grant), Talbert House capital/treatment support ($650,000) for a Hamilton County Crisis Center opening in July, Fatherless to Fearless expansion for youth and a recovery-supports grant to Cincinnati Union Bethel (HER Cincinnati).",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6239280,"Hamilton County approves new outside counsel for stadium negotiations; longtime county counsel objects",756,3126000,3882000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3338221-9fc78c075e4f39be872aafc4e4bb735f&start=3126&end=3882","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3338221-9fc78c075e4f39be872aafc4e4bb735f/thumbnail_3126000.jpg","/articles/6239280/Hamilton-County/Ohio/Hamilton-County-approves-new-outside-counsel-for-stadium-negotiations-longtime-county-counsel-objects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239280-5e8c9238cf1161847938c0d859994f0a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770670009&Signature=cMdVOh~6cW-BMvII-wuXllMgK4BAzG8LMZ3ngIIdO5KmXXj3r65vbh2Yxt4OXVd54hedrqxmaAEb8RQ1VgY-yAxu64maH2aZ~lvl3fP-W7nk8JsJ7C3TkeMoiWusuN1Hxj0RvnbKoCFcbK4EBRLA8v5rUAiurdYGLBwSwENz4sCKp5C0XQFwhUpQUHqc5EIHua5R2djVnrR90jnJIIRei9gMH45F56QM3DQj95XjYEoa7k8cEmtGNsuR--eldgg1ZD3kfQR542sYywOfD5GBm05a9vqi42jz9VNaQ0WmWlu2W0MCdx6AOSvoLvw7fnxs3fswsM-UVL87VEnGizDvZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hamilton County commissioners voted unanimously May 15 to apply to the Court of Common Pleas to retain two outside law firms to serve as special counsel on major sports-stadium and riverfront matters.

The board authorized applications to retain Dinsmore & Shohl to advise on Paycor Stadium and the riverfront development, and Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease to advise on matters related to the Cincinnati Reds and Great American Ball Park. Jeff Alito, Hamilton County administrator, told commissioners the move represents a shift from the county’s long-standing relationship with Frost Brown Todd.

Tom Gableman, a lawyer who said he served as the county’s project counsel for 28 years, told the commissioners he learned his office’s retention had been terminated about an hour and 15 minutes before the meeting and described his work on stadium and property-tax innovations as “an honor and a privilege.” Gableman said his office had helped secure roughly $25 million in property tax refunds and developed ideas about funding stadiums that he characterized as “innovative.”

County Prosecutor Connie Pillich told the board that, after meeting with each commissioner since taking office, she recommended a new “tactic” and “fresh eyes” for stadium negotiations. Pillich said she supports retaining Dinsmore & Shohl for Paycor Stadium and riverfront matters and Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease for the Reds lease negotiations. She also cited hiring national stadium-negotiation expert David Abrams to support the county’s team and noted the office’s in-house experience in Roger Friedman, a staff attorney familiar with the projects’ legal history.

Pillich emphasized timing: she said the Bengals face a June 30 deadline to decide whether to take an extension provided in the existing lease, and she argued the county should assemble a legal team with specialized experience to protect taxpayers’ interests as negotiations continue. Pillich said the change is not a criticism of Frost Brown Todd’s prior work but a change in perspective for the next phase of negotiations.

After discussion the board approved the two applications by unanimous vote. Commission President Denise Driehaus moved approval; the motion was seconded and commissioners voted “Yes.” No additional conditions were attached to the applications at the May 15 meeting.

What happened next remains procedural: the board authorized filings to the local court so the county may employ special counsel. Pillich and the county administrator said the added counsel would provide drafting and negotiating expertise for complex leases, bond and real-estate matters.

Gableman’s remarks and the transition in counsel drew repeated public and commissioner attention at the meeting. He told the board he and his team had worked at a reduced hourly rate and that the firm’s work had produced “direct savings” for the county; Pillich said that new counsel would be available to provide specialized negotiating and drafting support and that the office had already added outside experts to the legal team.

Commissioners did not vote on specific contract terms or fee arrangements at the May 15 session; the vote authorized the applications to hire outside counsel and to seek court approval.","The county approved applications to retain Dinsmore & Shohl and Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease as special counsel for bank and stadium matters after County Prosecutor recommended fresh legal teams; longtime project counsel Frost Brown Todd said the county abruptly ended its long relationship.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6239285,"Hamilton County commissioners hear plan for countywide accessibility advisory board",1588,1533000,3121000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3338221-9fc78c075e4f39be872aafc4e4bb735f&start=1533&end=3121","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3338221-9fc78c075e4f39be872aafc4e4bb735f/thumbnail_1533000.jpg","/articles/6239285/Hamilton-County/Ohio/Hamilton-County-commissioners-hear-plan-for-countywide-accessibility-advisory-board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239285-ca30612c6fca29cf306b71cd05132571/orig.mp4?Expires=1770670009&Signature=MKbPg6qudEV9H6eGx-q0wnyKLLfb71UhgZXjy58hupvQjnU-YK3a-bdtNUYqNOvNCd1gVP3ajKGpMRQJPDeYA9IcuISGq9IqmR34yFTeW5oF87RP6bjGizPMT9gvLAoJjoSzYW66pArdxuNWYpIp9FeMZ-Ukelc1yJvmoKS43IGuRNrQWZ6MexyzNxmq8er2mteOonPp6Hw1gXATmt6JjqVhKTIMhBvE96J6CXq7Bvgxafxqx1qOBqnDP~F-Ic9EjZuDhWT3lkuQiIdP2KwuRutf0SODgErQyF11PAzRbFy4fF0~SQbvvXuL5DlwZSfzGGBuH24qJZnwlZ8K1CJ7sQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hamilton County commissioners on May 15 heard a presentation proposing a countywide accessibility advisory board to advise on facilities, infrastructure and county grants that affect people with disabilities.

The proposal, presented by Neil Kelly and Christie Bridal, urged the commissioners to authorize a county board that would provide “everyday experts” and measurable accessibility standards that could be layered into existing grants and county projects. Kelly said the board would gather lived and technical expertise from municipalities across the county; Bridal, describing work on Cincinnati’s Accessibility Board of Advisors, said universal-design approaches and baseline checklists could prevent creating barriers in future projects.

The idea matters because county-owned facilities and county-funded projects intersect with city and suburban jurisdictions and county resources such as stadiums, transportation and social-service facilities. Presenters argued a county commission-endorsed advisory body could provide consistent review of grant criteria, infrastructure plans and public-awareness efforts to improve access for people with disabilities.

Commissioners praised the concept but did not adopt a final policy. Commission President Denise Driehaus said the county prosecutor is reviewing a resolution that would formally create the advisory body and that the board is not prepared to pass it at the May 15 meeting. Driehaus said the commission had “spoken with Neil Kelly and Brie Moss” and welcomed the proposal to bring “a lens over the work we do, as it impacts people with disabilities on all fronts.”

Commissioner Stephanie Summer O'Dumas asked presenters for a municipality-by-municipality breakdown of needs — for example, what Lincoln Heights and Norwood reported — so the county can target assistance and grant language. Bridal agreed to provide those details. Commissioner Alicia Reese, who described prior city-level accessibility work she helped lead, endorsed the idea and called for a county-level group that could produce policies and trainings for smaller municipalities.

Presenters recommended several specific roles for the proposed advisory board: advising on county capital projects and stadium access; recommending accessibility measurables for county grants; helping with emergency-preparedness planning and providing guidance on accommodations at county venues including the justice center and county-operated stadiums; and coordinating with existing bodies such as SORTA, Cincinnati’s Accessibility Board of Advisors and municipal staff.

No formal motion to create the advisory board was made at the meeting. Driehaus said the prosecutor is reviewing a resolution and commissioners will take it up later when the draft language and partners list are available. Bridal and Kelly said they will submit documents and partner names to the county; Bridal noted the group has already contacted multiple municipalities, including Deer Park, Blue Ash, Cheviot, Golf Manor, Madeira, Montgomery, Norwood and Saint Bernard.

Commissioners and presenters repeatedly framed the proposal as an enabling, advisory tool rather than a regulatory body. Commissioners asked that the county consider how the advisory board’s recommendations could be incorporated into existing grant requirements and county-level project checklists to ensure county-funded projects meet consistent accessibility standards.

Looking ahead, the prosecutor’s review and the board’s decision to place a resolution on a future agenda will determine whether the county takes a formal step to create the advisory board and whether measurable benchmarks are tied to future grant dollars. Presenters requested that, if commissioners approve a resolution, the county include a mechanism for deploying subject-matter experts and for coordinating grant incentives that reward accessible design.","Presenters asked the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners to establish an accessibility advisory board to advise county projects, tie accessibility measurables to grants and coordinate with municipalities; commissioners voiced support but did not take formal action while the prosecutor reviews a draft resolution.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hamilton County adopts paid leave for live organ and bone‑marrow donors in personnel policy update

Hamilton County approves HCR 1 Ohio grants including funding for new crisis center and community prevention programs

Hamilton County approves new outside counsel for stadium negotiations; longtime county counsel objects

Hamilton County commissioners hear plan for countywide accessibility advisory board