Cincinnati, Ohio Development News

City Discusses Regulations on Campaign Contributions and City Business List

The Cincinnati Elections Commission is responsible for investigating complaints and alleged violations related to the city business list and temporary prohibition list. These regulations, enacted in October 2021, aim to regulate campaign contributions made to active council members and the mayor by individuals or companies financially interested in significant city business. Financially interested persons are defined as those related to companies actively doing business or seeking business with the city, including owners, members, and partners. These individuals and their associated companies must disclose their identities to prevent improper influence. The regulations apply to specific city business transactions exceeding certain monetary thresholds: development incentives valued at $100,000 or more annually, sales of city property with a market value of $200,000 or more, easements of $25,000 or more, and zoning changes. The city maintains a public 'city business list' database of these disclosures, which is updated for six months after a matter closes. A related 'temporary prohibition list' is currently blank but would list individuals prohibited from contributing to campaigns while they have pending matters before the council. The commission's role includes reviewing flags generated by a program that compares individuals on these lists with campaign contributions to ensure compliance. In cases of violation, campaigns are typically notified to return the funds.