Cincinnati · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Cincinnati public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Standalone Stormwater Management Utility
Mayor Pureval's adopted motion kicks off making stormwater management its own city agency, separate from Water Works — aimed at fixing flooding problems and clarifying who's responsible for what.
Water system bond refunding
The city wants flexibility to refinance its water system revenue bonds, possibly with cheaper loans from the Ohio Water Development Authority. Refunding debt can lower costs for water ratepayers.
Municipal Waste Collection Service Failures
Council members expressed deep concern over recent trash collection failures that left garbage uncollected across multiple neighborhoods.
Grocery Delivery Pilot Program in Wynton Hills
The city is evaluating a pilot program that gives Wynton Hills residents a monthly grocery credit through Kroger to improve food access and household stability. Results show major drops in food insecurity and better access to fresh food and essential non-food items.
Recycling Cart Fleet Replacement Grant
The city received a $5 million federal grant to replace up to 80,000 aging recycling carts across Cincinnati, relieving local budget pressure.
Water Works Billing Practices
GCWW faces massive unfunded federal mandates to replace lead service lines and install PFAS treatment systems, costing tens of millions of dollars that will likely fall on local ratepayers.
Metropolitan Sewer District Consent Decree and Rate Structure
MSD is managing a $1.1 billion phase 2b capital program under its consent decree while adjusting rate structures to shift costs away from residential customers toward commercial users.
Enterprise Technology Solutions Cyber Security and Infrastructure
ETS Director Sean Ware presented the department's technology modernization efforts, including Windows 11 upgrades, phishing simulations, and workflow automation. The committee emphasized the critical importance of robust cybersecurity defenses against ransomware threats.