City Council Recap: Harrison Welcomes Four New Firefighters, Honors Service and Shares County Updates

The March 3rd Harrison City Council meeting highlighted the strong partnerships and community spirit that continue to shape the city’s future. From charitable giving and employee recognition to an informative presentation from the Hamilton County Auditor, the evening reflected the many ways public service and community support come together in Harrison.

Mayor Grubb's Video Update

Click the image below to watch Mayor Ryan Grubbs share a brief video update from the meeting.

New Firefighters

Harrison welcomed four new firefighters who were officially sworn in to serve the community.

Additions were made possible through a federal SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grant, which helps local departments maintain strong staffing levels and strengthen emergency response capacity. The three-year grant covers a majority of salary and benefit costs for the new positions, allowing Harrison to grow its fire service while maintaining responsible stewardship of local resources.

American Legion Supports America 250 Celebration

The meeting opened with a generous contribution from the American Legion Charities Committee. Representatives presented a $2,500 check to support Harrison’s upcoming America 250 celebration, which will mark the nation’s 250th birthday.

Members of the Harrison Recreation Commission and the America 250 planning committee shared that the funds will help purchase commemorative flags and patriotic displays throughout the city. Organizers also previewed several upcoming events tied to the celebration, including a community cleanup, a flag recognition and retirement ceremony, and Harrison’s traditional Fourth of July parade.

Community members interested in volunteering or joining the planning committee are encouraged to participate as preparations continue throughout the year.

City Honors Longtime Employee Kenny Fohl

Council also recognized the retirement of Kenny Fohl, who concluded a 31-year career serving the City of Harrison.

During the ceremony, a United States flag that had been flown over the Harrison Community Center on the day of his retirement was presented in his honor, along with a certificate and commemorative challenge coin recognizing his service.

City officials noted that Fohl's decades of work contributed significantly to Harrison’s infrastructure and daily operations, and his knowledge of the city’s water and sewer systems has been invaluable over the years. While retiring from city service, Fohl will remain active in the community as a Harrison Township trustee.

County Auditor Shares Update on Property Taxes and Services

Hamilton County Auditor Jessica Miranda also addressed council, providing an overview of the auditor’s office and the services it provides to residents.

Miranda explained that the auditor’s office serves as the county’s chief financial officer, responsible for paying county bills, administering payroll for thousands of county employees, and assessing property values throughout the county. The office also manages programs such as rental registration, dog licensing, and property tax relief initiatives.

She emphasized that while the auditor determines property values, the office does not set property tax rates. Tax amounts depend on several factors, including local levies and school funding structures.

Miranda also encouraged residents to take advantage of the county’s online property search tools, which allow property owners to review their home value, tax distribution, and eligibility for programs like the Owner Occupancy Credit and Homestead Exemption.

Advocacy for Property Tax Relief

During the presentation, Miranda also highlighted concerns about rising property taxes for seniors and residents living on fixed incomes. She encouraged local officials and residents to advocate for updates to the Homestead Exemption program at the state level, noting that the benefit has not kept pace with rising property values.

According to Miranda, improvements to the program could provide more meaningful tax relief for eligible homeowners across Ohio.

Looking Ahead

As the meeting concluded, the evening served as a reminder that local government is built on a combination of civic leadership, community partnerships and the dedicated work of public servants.

From planning major national celebrations to honoring those who have spent decades serving the community, Harrison continues to move forward with a shared commitment to the people who call the city home.