Hamilton County puts larger children’s-services levy on November ballot

Hamilton County commissioners voted August 3, 2026, to place a larger children’s-services levy before voters in the November 3 general election, creating a countywide tax decision for Cincinnati residents and other Hamilton County property owners.

Commissioners Denise Driehaus and Stephanie Summerow Dumas voted for the measure. Commissioner Alicia Reece abstained after proposing a smaller increase that would use some stadium sales-tax revenue to help cover children’s-services costs.

What the proposed levy would cost

The current levy, approved in 2021, generates about $81 million annually and is scheduled to expire at the end of 2026. It costs homeowners an estimated $81 per $100,000 of home value each year. The proposed levy would generate roughly $117 million annually and raise the estimated cost to about $121 per $100,000 of home value.

Those figures are estimates, not universal bills. Actual property-tax effects can vary by property and assessment details. The measure is also only proposed and would not take effect unless Hamilton County voters approve it.

Services supported by the levy

The levy supports Hamilton County Job and Family Services programs that include child-abuse and neglect investigations, foster-care support, adoption and family reunification. County officials said levy-funded services helped more than 13,000 children last year.

Cincinnati residents are directly affected because the city is within Hamilton County. Cincinnati voters would participate in the countywide decision, and Cincinnati property owners are part of the tax base that would finance the levy if it passes.

Why county officials want more revenue

The county’s levy-review documents identify financial pressures including declining levy reserves, rising out-of-home-care expenses, projected deficits and limits on reimbursements for mandated services.

The Tax Levy Review Commission was advisory. It recommended a larger increase than the commissioners’ proposal, while county commissioners said the measure headed to voters sought to address children’s-services needs without imposing the higher tax burden associated with the review commission’s recommendation.

The county’s review findings and projections are not presented as an independently audited forecast. They are the county’s stated basis for concluding that the existing levy is under financial pressure and that additional ongoing revenue is needed.

What Reece proposed

Reece proposed a smaller levy increase of about 10 percent, paired with use of some stadium sales-tax revenue. Driehaus and Summerow Dumas did not support that alternative, and Reece abstained on the measure that advanced to the ballot.

The commissioners’ action begins the ballot process. The Hamilton County Board of Elections lists November 3, 2026, as the general-election date and provides the election calendar, but voters should rely on later official election materials for the final ballot language and voting instructions.

The final decision belongs to Hamilton County voters, including those in Cincinnati. Until the election is held, the higher levy remains a proposal rather than an approved tax.

Sources

• WCPO 9 report on the commissioners’ August 3 vote
• Hamilton County Tax Levy Review Commission 2026 report
• Hamilton County Board of Elections November 2026 election information