Commissioners authorize county to request unclaimed funds and outline outreach plans for residents

Hamilton County commissioners on Sept. 11 approved a resolution authorizing the county administrator and representatives to request unclaimed funds held by the state on behalf of the county. The measure enables the administration to recover unclaimed funds in the county’s name and was approved as part of the consent (by-leave) agenda.

Commissioner Stephanie Summer O'Dumas said she intends to lead a public outreach initiative to help residents discover and claim unclaimed funds. She said the county will place computers at an upcoming event on Sept. 17 so people can search and apply for unclaimed funds on site; Jackie Taggart from her office will assist. Commissioner Alicia Rees also supported wider outreach, saying the county should help citizens, including seniors, recover funds they may not realize are available.

The resolution establishes the administrative authority for the county to submit requests for county-held unclaimed funds. No dollar amount was specified during the meeting for county-recovered funds; commissioners said they will also vote on specific retrieval items as they appear on future agendas. The transcript records the consent agenda item as approved by unanimous voice vote.

Commissioners said the county will coordinate events to assist residents, including seniors, with searching for and claiming funds; specific program dates and procedural details were not read into the record beyond the Sept. 17 event reference.