City of Reading, OH

What City of Reading, OH does

The City of Reading, Ohio is a municipal government entity in Hamilton County, located at the intersection of Interstate 75 and Ronald Reagan Highway minutes north of Cincinnati. The city delivers a standard portfolio of municipal services to its residents and businesses through a lean staff of approximately 25 personnel, including a 13-person Public Works Department, a 20-officer Police Department that handles roughly 12,000 calls annually, and administrative leadership under Mayor Robert 'Bo' Bemmes (since 2004) and Safety Service Director Patrick G. Ross (since 2010). Service delivery is split across functional departments: Police, Fire, Public Works, Water, Tax, Building & Zoning (operated by contractor XPEX), Parks and Recreation, Code Enforcement, and Mayor's Court, with garbage and recycling contracted to Rumpke.

The city operates a unified digital services portal (readingohio.org) stitched together from third-party civic-tech platforms rather than proprietary software: nCourt for court and water payments, CUBIC Utility Billing for water/sewer accounts, Bridge Payment for tax filings, iWORQ for permit applications, TextMyGov for SMS alerts, Flock Safety for police surveillance, Smart911 for emergency notifications, and ESP Media for live council meeting broadcasts. Revenue is generated through a mandatory 2.0% city earnings tax on residents 18+ and workers regardless of income, combined water/sewer/garbage billing, building permits, mayor's court fines, and federal/state/county grants — collectively funding an annual operating budget in excess of $20 million.

Strategically, Reading positions itself as 'The Crossroads of Opportunity' with two distinct economic anchors: the Benson Street Bridal District, a 40+ business concentration including the country's second-largest bridal outlet, and a designated life sciences campus hosting Patheon Pharmaceuticals, Girindus America, and the University of Cincinnati Genome Research Institute under the state's Third Frontier initiative. The city is also pursuing floodplain remediation planning via the Mill Creek Watershed Council of Communities and EPA Brownfields assessment funding to address FEMA floodplain remapping that has elevated insurance costs for residents.

Name

City of Reading, OH

Legal name

City of Reading, Ohio

Website

https://readingohio.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The City of Reading, Ohio is a municipal government entity in Hamilton County serving residents and businesses with public safety, utilities, public works, tax collection, permitting, and parks services from a lean staff of approximately 25, operating on an annual budget exceeding $20 million.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Municipal Government Services

NAICS

Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities (922), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241), Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (92512)

SIC

Water Supply (4941), Sanitary Services (4950)

akta.pro primary industry

Mayor/City Manager & General Administration (BPAIACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Works & Municipal Infrastructure (Streets, Stormwater, Facilities) (BPAIACAF), City Clerk/Records, Elections & Civic Engagement (BPAIACAB)

Keywords

• Municipal government services
• Public safety services
• Utility billing services
• Tax collection administration
• Parks and recreation

Headquarters

HQ city

Reading

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Municipal Income Tax: The city collects a 2.0% Earnings Tax from all residents 18 years and older who live, work, operate a business within, or do business within the City of Reading. This mandatory filing applies regardless of income level. The tax due date is April 15 or the Federal due date.
2. Water and Sewer Utility Billing: Residents and businesses receive combined water, sewage, and garbage bills monthly. Bills can be paid by mail, in person at the Municipal Building, night depository, credit card (with $3.95 fee), or ACH/automatic bank deduction. There is a 10% late charge on unpaid bills.
3. Federal, State, and County Grants: The city receives grant funding for various projects including EPA brownfield assessment grants ($400,000 awarded), Community Development Block Grant funds for floodplain remediation and planning, and other infrastructure improvement funds.
4. Garbage and Recycling Collection: Waste collection services contracted through Rumpke Waste Collection. Cost is included on the combined water and sewer bill.
5. Property Tax Collection: Property tax collections are handled by Hamilton County, not the City of Reading. The city does not collect property tax dollars directly.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The City of Reading, Ohio is a municipal government that delivers essential public services to residents and businesses within its jurisdiction. Core offerings include police and fire protection, public works (street maintenance, snow removal, storm sewer), water and sewer utility billing, municipal income tax administration, building and zoning permits, parks and recreation programs, Mayor's Court judicial services, and economic development programs supporting the local tax and employment base.

Product overview

City of Reading, OH operates a unified municipal services platform accessible through its government website. The city's core offerings include police protection (24/7 full-service department with 20 officers), public works (storm sewer, streets, snow removal), water utility services (combined water/sewage/garbage billing with e-billing), tax collection (2.0% earnings tax administration), building and zoning permits, parks and recreation (community pool, shelters), Mayor's Court, and economic development programs. Residents access these services through integrated third-party platforms including Bridge Payment for taxes, CUBIC Utility Billing for water bills, nCourt for court payments, Iworq for permits, XPEX for building operations, Flock Safety for police technology, TextMyGov for alerts, and Smart911 for emergency notification.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Police Department Services Full-service police department operating 24/7 with 20 full-time officers, 2 full-time clerks and a court clerk, responding to approximately 12,000 calls for service annually for Reading residents and businesses.
• Public Works Services Municipal infrastructure services including storm sewer repair, street and curb maintenance, guardrail repair, sign maintenance, snow and ice removal, tree/shrub/flower planting, leaf and limb collection, and large-item pickup truck rental.
• Water and Sewer Utility Services Combined water, sewage, and garbage billing delivered monthly to residents and businesses. Bills payable by mail, in person at the Municipal Building, night depository, credit card ($3.95 fee), ACH/automatic bank deduction, or online through the CUBIC Utility Billing portal.
• Tax Collection Services City Income Tax Department administering a 2.0% Earnings Tax with mandatory filing requirements for all residents 18+, non-residents working in the city, and business entities. Paper filings and electronic filing accepted; payments processed through Bridge Payment.
• Building and Zoning Permits Permit processing for new construction, alterations, garages, pools, HVAC, re-roofing, and signs. Operations contracted to XPEX with online applications available through the Iworq portal; fees aligned with Hamilton County permit fees.
• Parks and Recreation Programs Parks maintenance, community pool operations (seasonal), park shelter rentals available to residents and city workers, and charitable initiatives through the Reading Parks Foundation.
• Mayor's Court Local judicial forum handling misdemeanor traffic and criminal cases for the City of Reading. Citations, tickets, and fines payable online via nCourt or in person on scheduled court Tuesdays.
• Economic Development Services Programs and partnerships to stabilize and expand the local tax and employment base, including support for the Benson Street Bridal District, life sciences campus (Patheon Pharmaceuticals, Girindus America, UC Genome Research Institute), and commercial corridor redevelopment, delivered via the Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable, and Community Improvement Corporation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 12,000 calls for service annually handled by Police Department with 20 full-time officers
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration13 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Reading Business RoundtablecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 1997Formed in August 1997 as a consortium of representatives from Reading's seven largest employers, the Reading Chamber of Commerce, Reading city government, and Reading Community Schools. Meets quarterly to discuss economic development efforts and implement programs. Funded development of the 2001 City of Reading Community Marketing Plan.
• Reading Community Improvement Corporation (CIC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 1975Incorporated in June 1975 to assist the city in attracting new businesses and retaining existing ones. As the city's designated agency for industrial, commercial, office, and research development, the CIC's goal is to increase and stabilize the local tax base. Treasurer Brenda Owens serves as Treasurer of Reading CIC.
• Mill Creek Watershed Council of CommunitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Reading partnered with the Mill Creek Watershed Council of Communities as part of the state's first Regional Watershed Assistance Center (RWAC). The RWAC acts as a centralized resource for communities in the watershed, providing technical expertise, project management support, and community engagement. The partnership managed the Floodplain Remediation Plan with consultant AMEC Foster Wheeler, addressing flood risk reduction and Mill Creek Greenway Trail opportunities.
• Hamilton County Planning and DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHamilton County Planning and Development serves as the administrator of CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funds for Reading's floodplain remediation planning effort. They oversee the federal grant funding process and ensure compliance with HUD requirements for community development projects.
• Tri-State TrailsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTri-State Trails identified the Mill Creek corridor as an important regional trail corridor. The organization is working toward a regional network of bicycle and pedestrian trails, with segments of the Mill Creek Greenway Trail already completed in the City of Cincinnati.
• Reading Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Reading Chamber of Commerce is a professional organization dedicated to business and community development in Reading. They meet monthly (except summer), publish a newsletter for all Reading businesses, and work with the Economic Development Department on business attraction and retention initiatives.
• Hamilton County Community Development DivisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHamilton County Community Development Division administers CDBG funds and is overseeing the Valley Central Development Project at 8852 Reading Road. Located at 138 East Court Street, Room 1002, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. The project involves acquisition and demolition to allow Valley Central Savings Bank expansion.
• Reading Community SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSafety Service Director Patrick Ross worked closely with Reading Community Schools on their $51 million K-12 school expansion completed by August 2019. The school district is part of the Reading Business Roundtable and receives city support for educational initiatives.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• City of Evendale, OH: Small Hamilton County municipality adjacent to Reading and Sharonville. Comparable in scale, residential/commercial mix, and reliance on a recurring municipal earnings tax base.
• City of Sharonville, OH: Adjacent Hamilton County city with similar mix of residential, retail, and light industrial/commercial uses. Comparable municipal service delivery model and proximity to major interstate corridors serving Greater Cincinnati.
• City of Blue Ash, OH: Hamilton County suburb of Cincinnati with similar municipal services portfolio (police, public works, water, recreation). Comparable size and economic base anchored by commercial/office corridors along I-71.
• City of Glendale, OH: Small Hamilton County suburb providing similar full-service municipal operations and serving as a comparable peer for Reading's residential and commercial service model.
• City of Fairfield, OH: Hamilton County suburb with comparable full-service municipal operations and a larger commercial/industrial base. Useful benchmark for a slightly larger peer with a similar service and tax structure.
• City of Deer Park, OH: Small Hamilton County suburb with similar municipal services and tax structure. Comparable in population and economic base to Reading.
• City of Madeira, OH: Small inner-ring Cincinnati suburb in Hamilton County with comparable municipal service portfolio, residential character, and proximity to Reading. Similar population scale and service-delivery model.
• City of Wyoming, OH: Small residential suburb in Hamilton County, Ohio, immediately adjacent to Reading. Comparable in population scale, full-service municipal operations (police, public works, utilities), and Greater Cincinnati suburban context.
• City of Montgomery, OH: Small Hamilton County suburb providing comparable full-service municipal operations (police, public works, utilities, recreation). Similar tax structure and Greater Cincinnati regional context.

Regional players

• City of Milford, OH: Small city serving as a commercial and residential hub in the eastern Greater Cincinnati region. Comparable municipal service delivery model but operates in Clermont County rather than Hamilton County.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/city-of-reading-oh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about City of Reading, OH