Hamilton City Council adopts budget and a slate of ordinances and resolutions; votes mostly unanimous

Hamilton City Council used its Dec. 11 meeting to adopt the city’s 2025 budget and to approve a series of ordinances and resolutions affecting economic development, intergovernmental services, appointments and community partnerships.

Key outcomes

• 2025 appropriations: Council completed second reading and adopted the 2025 appropriations ordinance for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2025. The motion passed on a roll‑call vote recorded as unanimous.

• Supplemental and emergency measures: Council adopted a supplemental appropriations ordinance for the year ending Dec. 31, 2024, and an emergency ordinance amending Schedule A of the city’s classification and compensation plan (salaries). Both measures passed following suspension of rules and roll‑call votes.

• Economic and development agreements: Council adopted an ordinance authorizing a license and maintenance agreement with Immortal Vibes Incorporated for a portion of 232 Main Street, and a job‑creation and tax‑credit ordinance for Coolens Plus Incorporated. Both were approved on second reading.

• Intergovernmental and service resolutions: Council adopted an intergovernmental agreement to sell Hamilton road salt to the Hamilton City School District for the 2024–25 winter season and approved a resolution authorizing an agreement with Animal Friends Humane Society for handling animals found or relinquished within city limits.

• Appointments and partnerships: Council appointed Mark Kyle to the Ordinance Review Commission for 2025 and reappointed/appointed representatives to the Butler County Transportation Improvement District. Council also adopted a resolution to accept a project agreement with FC Cincinnati Foundation to construct and donate an artificial turf mini pitch to the city.

• Liquor permit notice: With the Wellhouse Hotel expected to open next week, council voted unanimously to authorize the city clerk to notify the Ohio Department of Liquor Control that the city has no objection to a liquor permit application for the Lucky Well at 1 High Street if the applicant requires action before the next scheduled meeting.

Council procedure and discussion

Most measures were adopted after brief or no council discussion and passed on roll calls recorded as unanimous. Fire Chief Tom Eichelberger presented caucus items earlier in the meeting, requesting pay‑range alignment for two civilian fire department positions and permission to contract with Stryker for LifePak 35 cardiac monitors; those requests were presented in Committee of the Whole before the formal legislation steps. Adam Helms, Director of Resident Services, requested creation of a seasonal event and content production technician position for River’s Edge concerts to improve recruitment for short‑term summer work; council heard the request during caucus.

Next steps and follow‑ups

The purchase and sale ordinance concerning property adjacent to 606 Main Street received first reading and will return for further consideration. The council also moved into executive session to discuss personnel and property matters; no final votes on those topics were recorded in the meeting minutes.

Vote at a glance (selected items)

• Ordinance — License & maintenance agreement, Immortal Vibes (232 Main St.) — Adopted (roll‑call unanimous) • Ordinance — 2025 appropriations — Adopted (roll‑call unanimous) • Ordinance — Supplemental appropriations (2024) — Adopted (roll‑call unanimous) • Ordinance — Coolens Plus job‑creation tax credit — Adopted (roll‑call unanimous) • Ordinance — Emergency salaries amendment — Adopted (roll‑call unanimous) • Resolution — Sale of road salt to Hamilton City School District — Adopted (roll‑call unanimous) • Resolution — Appoint Mark Kyle to Ordinance Review Commission — Adopted (roll‑call unanimous) • Resolution — Agreement with Animal Friends Humane Society — Adopted (roll‑call unanimous) • Resolution — FC Cincinnati Foundation mini pitch project agreement — Adopted (roll‑call unanimous) • Motion — Notify Ohio Department of Liquor Control (Lucky Well, 1 High Street) — Adopted (roll‑call unanimous)

The meeting concluded after a motion to enter executive session on personnel and property matters.