Greg Hartmann and Todd Portune were officially sworn in Wednesday to serve their new terms on Hamilton County Commission.
Hartmann repeated his mantra that these are challenging times for county government but says there are bright spots as well, like the county Land Bank.
Hamilton County Commissioners have approved a 5-percent rate increase for Metropolitan Sewer District customers starting January 9. Sewer rates have been climbing for several years to pay for a $ 3.2 billion system upgrade required to comply with the federal Clean Water Act.
Commissioner Todd Portune said about 780 other local governments are in the same position at a cost of more than $500 billion.
After rejecting three proposed budget options put forward by the county administrator, Hamilton County Commissioners plan to offer their own spending plans Monday morning.