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Lincoln Heights council adopts tax budget, clears three levies for the ballot and appoints new village manager
Summary
At its July 14 meeting the Village of Lincoln Heights council adopted the 2026 tax budget, voted to place three levy measures on the fall ballot and appointed Gaines Brown as village manager (subject to background check and contract). Vote tallies and next steps were recorded.
The Village of Lincoln Heights council on July 14 adopted the village's 2026 tax budget, approved a set of levy measures to appear on the ballot this fall, and voted to appoint Gaines Brown as village manager subject to a satisfactory background check and mutually agreeable contract terms.
Council held the second reading and then adopted Resolution 2025‑R‑65, the 2026 tax budget to be submitted to the Hamilton County auditor. The roll call recorded five votes in favor and one against on final passage. Council also approved Resolution 2025‑R‑67, an amendment to increase appropriations in a special revenue fund (HCPH); that measure passed on a 5–1 vote and included adoption of the emergency clause as recorded in the meeting.
Under the supplemental agenda council moved three levy measures forward to the ballot. Resolution 2025‑R‑68 (renewal of the operating levy passed in 2019) moved forward with council procedural motions recorded as carried. Resolution 2025‑R‑69, a proposed 2‑mill increase on the operating levy, passed its procedural and passage votes (transcript records a 5–1 vote for passage). Resolution 2025‑R‑70, a police services levy, also passed council votes (recorded as 5 ayes, 1 nay, 1 absent in the roll‑call summary).
"The county auditor estimates will collect $150,000 annually," said Mister Desai while briefing council on the packet and the ballot language that accompanies the police levy, noting the board of elections has final control over exact ballot wording. Desai urged council members to be prepared to explain to residents why aggregate numbers on levy language may seem large, citing contract escalation clauses and planned road projects as drivers of the figures.
Clerk Lisa Randolph told residents and prospective applicants that the village will post levy materials and related information on the village website and Facebook page. Councilmembers discussed community education plans and suggested presentations at upcoming local outreach sessions so voters can see the budget forecasts and assumptions behind the levy numbers.
Separately, the council voted to appoint Gaines Brown to the village manager position, subject to a satisfactory background check and agreement on contract terms. The roll call recorded six ayes and the appointment motion passed.
What comes next: the clerk and staff will post materials on the village website and circulate written information about the levies, and council indicated it will host informational sessions to help voters understand the ballot language and revenue estimates. The appointment of the manager is conditioned on the background and contract process described by council.
