Hamilton County commissioners on Sept. 17 highlighted the continuing work of the county’s 513 Relief bus — a mobile service that the board said brings county programs and partner services to neighborhoods — and described a new focus on helping residents reclaim unclaimed government funds.

Commissioner Alicia Rees said the county launched an initiative tied to the 513 Relief bus to help residents locate and claim money held by the state. “There’s $4,000,000,000 in the state. There’s over $200,000,000 here in Hamilton County,” Rees said, adding that the county auditor had recently identified an additional $2 million. Rees said the county is coordinating with the treasurer, auditor, and the Job and Family Services (JFS) strike team to help residents submit claims in person, noting some claims require notarization if they exceed $3,000.

Why it matters: Unclaimed funds can include forgotten bank accounts, insurance payouts or other government‑held assets. The county said it will use the mobile 513 Relief operation to help people check for and retrieve such funds, particularly for seniors and residents with limited internet access.

Rees described the mobile service’s recent senior healthy‑aging event at Word of Deliverance church, which she said included more than 40 partner organizations, on‑site medical services and outreach for programs such as utility assistance. The county launched the unclaimed‑funds push at that event and posted scheduling information at 513relief.org.

Budget and next steps: During the same meeting the board accepted a consent agenda that included a reclassification of ARPA funds totaling $750,278 to support Council on Aging, FreeStore Food Bank and Eastern Personnel Services for the 513 Relief bus. Commissioners asked staff to confirm how soon grant agreements will be in place and whether services will be available before year‑end; staff said formal agreements will be presented to the board in the coming weeks.

Commissioner Rees listed upcoming mobile events and services, including Deer Park (free flu shots) on Oct. 6, a cancer awareness and free mammogram event on Oct. 15 at the Urban League, and an Oct. 22 pitch night at Memorial Hall. She emphasized the bus’s role in direct service delivery: “The bus transforms into what the needs are of the citizens,” Rees said.

The board did not authorize additional appropriations at the Sept. 17 meeting beyond the consent‑agenda reclassification; staff will bring any provider agreements to the board for formal approval.