Hamilton County's Health Department brought six proposed 2026 Health First subgrant recipients to the commissioners and sought approval to sign grant agreements required by the state. Jason Lemaster (Public Health) listed the recommended recipients as Trinity Free Clinic, Harvest Food Bank, Heart and Soul Clinic, Teeter Organic Farms, the Feeding Team, and the Hamilton County Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs.

Staff said the Feeding Team's original request included food purchases but that the county, after committee review and consultation with the county attorney, asked the Feeding Team to amend the application to focus on building infrastructure (pantry units dispersed around the county). Lemaster said the Feeding Team's revised request would be for approximately $10,000 (reduced from an initial $15,000 estimate) to produce roughly 10 pantry units at about $800–$1,000 each.

Commissioner 3 expressed concern about the perception of an elected official running an organization receiving county funds and said the optics were poor even with a conflict-of-interest disclosure. After discussion, Speaker 3 moved to approve all Health First awards except the Feeding Team; the commission voted in favor and the motion carried.

Staff said they had consulted with the county attorney and verified conflict-of-interest filings; the board did not approve the Feeding Team award at this meeting and asked staff to proceed with the remaining subgrants, which will be finalized by executive leadership signatures as required by the state's grant conditions.