Contact Chris Monzel ph: 513-946-4409

email: chris.monzel@hamilton-co.org

138 E. Court St., Rm. 603.

Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

New county position promotes job creation, development

Hamilton County commissioners have voted unanimously to create a “Development Services Facilitator” position that will support economic development and promote job creation. Commissioner Chris Monzel proposed the new position that will operate in the Department of Planning & Development and report to Asst. County Administrator Jeff Aluotto. Representatives from the business and development communities will join county officials as a search committee to recommend a candidate for the position. Individuals have until Friday, March 11, 2011 to apply for the position.

Monzel Report The

March

2011

Community Profile

City of Montgomery

Montgomery, a coach stop along the Cincinnati-Zanesville Road, was first settled in 1776. As an agricultural town, nearby farmers brought their goods to be sold and processed. By 1816, Montgom-ery was growing, boasting two taverns, a grist mill, a carding mill and about a dozen homes. This growing trend continued throughout the years. In 1986, commu-nity leaders put in place a comprehensive plan to deal with the growth while pro-tecting the city’s quaint character, by creating a community that would be largely residential and included offices and stores to serve both residents and visitors. Today, the City of Montgomery has a thriving business district and is also home to over 10,000 residents.

For more information check out: www.montgomeryohio.org

Estate tax legislation moves to Ohio House for consideration

The Ohio House of Representatives is expected to vote later in March on substitute House Bill 3 which would eliminate the state’s Estate Tax effective Jan. 1, 2013. Sponsors of the bill had asked that the tax be eliminated retroac-tively to January 1 of this year. A number of township and other local government officials, however, testified before the House Ways and Means committee opposing the tax repeal arguing that in some instances it generates more than 40 percent of their entity’s general fund. The House Ways and Means Committee voted 9-8 to support the

substitute bill in order to incrementally reduce revenue to local governments from the tax. Hamilton County does not receive any revenue from the Estate Tax so its operations will not be affected by its elimination. Supporters of the bill argue that the Estate or “death” tax continues to put Ohio at a competitive disadvantage with other states who have no such tax. The bill will move to the Senate for their consideration should the House pass the measure. Gov. John Kasich has said he will sign the bill into law should both the House and Senate pass such a measure.

Tax Levy Review Committee organizes, begins work

Hamilton County’s Tax Levy Review Committee (TLRC) recently held its first organizational meeting with the group setting its meeting schedule and agreeing on a sub-committee structure as a means of discussing and making recommendations regarding levies that will go before voters this November. Hamilton County Commissioners voted February 7th to expand the number of committee members from nine to 11, while appointing Mr. Tom Cooney, of the accounting firm Cooney Faulkner & Stevens, chairman of the group. The County’s Health and Hospitalization Levy, often known as indigent care levy, and the Children’s Services levies go before voters for renewal in the November election.

Commissioner Chris Monzel (third from right) addresses the TLRC’s organizational meeting.

The indigent care levy last past in 2006 with 68 percent of the vote, generates about $48 million per year or for every $100,000 value of a home about $46.50. The Children’s Services levy, last approved in 2006 also with 68 percent of the vote, gen-erates about $41 million or $49.22 a person with a home of $100,000 in value.

Commissioner Chris Monzel gave an update on county issues at the February meeting of Westwood Concern, a com-munity activist group that addresses safety and community development con-cerns affecting the west side Cincinnati

neighborhood.