Commission reappoints SORTA members, names three to Veterans Services Commission

The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners approved two appointment resolutions at its organizational meeting: reappointments to the Southwestern Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) and the appointment of three members to the Hamilton County Veterans Services Commission.

SORTA reappointments: Commissioners voted to reappoint Chelsea Clark, Anthony Bryce and Dan Driehaus to the Southwestern Ohio Regional Transit Authority. Commissioner Driehaus recorded an abstention on that reappointment vote; the record shows the motion was otherwise approved. The SORTA reappointments were presented as reappointments (not initial appointments) and were described as reflecting the commission’s selections for the transit authority seat allocations.

Veterans Services Commission: The board also approved appointments to the Veterans Services Commission, naming Victoria Parks, Bill Berwinkel (transcribed in the meeting as Bill Burwinkle/Berwinkle) and Lincoln Ware. Commissioners said the county has doubled the Veterans Services Commission budget for the coming period (described in the meeting as the largest in Hamilton County history) and that the new appointees represent generational and demographic diversity. Commissioners described the appointments as reflective of each of the three offices’ recommendations.

Why it matters: SORTA oversees regional public transit that affects county riders; the Veterans Services Commission will help administer an expanded county veterans services budget and programs for local veterans.

Formal actions: Both resolutions were moved, seconded and approved by roll call. The SORTA reappointment motion shows Commissioner Driehaus abstained; the Veterans Services Commission appointments carried with recorded "yes" votes from the commissioners.

Ending: The appointees will be recorded in commission minutes and join the respective boards; follow-up reporting and onboarding were discussed as next steps.