Mayor Stephanie highlights Jubilee, school STEAM designations and upcoming budget town hall

Mayor Stephanie opened the meeting by thanking staff, volunteers and community partners for a successful Jubilee, encouraged residents to vote in the May 5 primary and highlighted recent local education and community achievements.

"Voter turnout is so low. It's so low," Mayor Stephanie said as she urged residents who had not yet voted to do so that day. She also noted that Red Bank Elementary and Red Bank High School had just received STEAM designation following a competitive application process, joining Red Bank Middle School as state-designated STEAM schools.

The mayor thanked the festival advisory board, sponsors and partners, and recognized student projects and a Future Ready Institute bicycle locker designed in partnership with White Oak Bicycle Co-op and city staff. She announced a public budget town hall scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, at 5:00 p.m. at the Red Bank Community Center for residents to review the proposed FY27 budget; the first reading of the budget ordinance is set for May 19.

Why it matters: the STEAM designation is a multi-year recognition for local schools and the town-hall schedule gives residents an opportunity to review proposed FY27 spending and ask questions of staff before formal consideration by the commission.

The mayor also urged residents to attend a Hamilton County Commission meeting the following day to voice concerns about a county agenda item to declare the Business Development Center surplus; she expressed concern about the potential impact on dozens of small businesses that currently occupy the incubator space.

City Manager Mr. Graham and staff thanked public relations manager SummerSheldon for her work this evening and shared Jubilee participation numbers: 201 total starters in the Moon By Move (123 in the 5K and 78 in the 10K).