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Hamilton County updated on children's services levy: placement costs surge and consultants model multimillion-dollar options
Summary
Job and Family Services officials told commissioners that rising out-of-home placement costs and growing caseloads have driven the children's services levy toward a structural funding gap; consultants modeled scenarios requiring $65M'$123.4M in additional annual revenue depending on service levels.
Hamilton County Job and Family Services (JFS) officials told commissioners on Jan. 20 that sharply rising placement costs and increasing numbers of children in custody have created a structural funding shortfall in the county's children's services levy and that consultants are modeling multiple scenarios for possible ballot options in 2026.
John Nelson, interim director of JFS, and Assistant Administrator Webb presented data showing that the number of children in custody rose from about 2,603 in 2021 to roughly 3,000 in 2025, and that placement-related expenditures have increased markedly. Nelson illustrated the human and financial stakes with a composite case he called "Ruby," saying…
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