2026 Elections
2026 Cincinnati Retirement System Retiree Trustee Election Nominees
Joseph E. Hinzman
Department of Transportation & Engineering
Principle Engineer
35 years of service
Hello, my name is Joe Hinzman. I am a professional civil engineer. I worked for the City of Cincinnati for 35 years (5 years in DROP program) in the Construction Management Section of the Department of Transportation and Engineering. I have diverse work experience focusing on upholding Standards and Quality as the Principal Engineer of the Section. My philosophy has always been ‘Fair but Firm’. As a member of the retirement board I will strive to be fair to retirees but firm when making tough decisions. My emphasis for the Retirement Board is maintaining the benefits that we presently have and growing the system for future employees, taking into consideration the budgetary constraints imposed on the system. I plan to bring a common sense, unbiased, and reasonable insight to the fiduciary responsibility of a board member to manage and maintain the retirement benefits for all retirees and employees. I also rely on professional experts, as needed, for advice and direction, and request a “common man” explanation for clarity and direction. With today’s inflation and the market shifts, it is imperative to know the facts and make rational decisions about the future.
David E. Rager
Greater Cincinnati Water Works
Department Head
32 years of service
The Cincinnati Retirement System was created in 1931, before social security and the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System. Nearly 100 years later, the CRS continues supporting the people who dedicated their career to public service, helping provide a good quality of life in their senior years. CRS members make life long financial plans based upon the promise they will receive the benefits they earned, for themselves and their families. A trustee must make informed decisions based upon the facts, not emotions or politics. Decisions must focus on benefiting CRS members. keeping the promise of benefits earned.
I have served as one of the retiree representatives that helped negotiate and continue to monitor compliance with the Collaborative Settlement Agreement. The Collaborative Settlement Agreement was negotiated by retirees, active employees and the city, under the supervision of the federal court. The CSA’s goal is to create a path to secure the CRS benefits and stabilize the funding of the retirement system. It is in the best interests of the retirees, active employees, and Cincinnati’s citizens that the Collaborative Settlement Agreement succeeds. As a Trustee I will remain focused on the CSA’s goals, including the long-term goals of a fully funded retirement system.
2026 Cincinnati Retirement System Active Trustee Nominee
Monica Morton
Finance Department/ Deputy Director
Years of Service 22 yrs. 7 months
Greetings active members of the City of Cincinnati’s Retirement System (CRS). I am excited to have the opportunity to continue my services as a CRS board member. I started my career with the City in the Finance Department in 2003 and have been in my current role as Assistant Finance Director for over six years. I have served as a CRS board member for the past four years. During my first term with the CRS Board, I have been influential in ensuring that we work to maintain a healthy retirement system through increased employer contributions, enhanced communications, transparency, and accountability amongst investors. I have also taken advantage of educational opportunities, and I am now an accredited fiduciary of National Public Employee Retirement Systems. If afforded the opportunity to serve a second term, I will continue to work collaboratively with my colleagues to provide recommendations that work to overcome current economic challenges while providing a healthy retirement system now and in years to come. I am committed to transparency and keeping active employees informed through our retirement website, providing funding updates, proposed recommendations and other information related to the stabilization and health of the CRS.