Clermont Tea Party Subcommittee County Report for February 2011 By: Faye Miller

Most of the actions taken at the Clermont County Commissioners meetings of Feb. 7, 9, 16, and 23 were the normal movements of money from one account to another: actions for sewage and water infrastructure, technology/ communications, and job/family services issues.

The Work Sessions provided some insight and evidence of the need for the Commissioners to exhibit priorities in fiscal issues and the TID, Tifs and Rifs are having a negative effect in some situations in Clermont County.

The Feb 7 Work Session was attended by Goshen Twp Trustee, Bob Hausermann. He was requesting a re-negotiation of the 8 Tifs which had been established by the previous sitting trustees. Funding for the townships are decreasing and he stated the budget of Goshen Fire Dept had to be cut by over $600,000.00. Trustee Hausermann explained the need for Goshen monies to be returned to Goshen for use as some of the Tifs had not preformed as negotiated. Commissioners Wilson and Proud seemed agreeable to consider a re-negotiation. Commissioner Humphries wanted to offer something, such as a salt barn, instead of returning monies.

The Feb 16 Work Session was a lengthy discussion of a jail capacity strategy. Attendees included Sheriff Rodenberg, Judge Tony Brock, Doug Brothers, a probation officer and others. In 2004 the revenues for the county became flat. The Office of Economic Development and the Economic Development Corporation of Clermont County (ED3C) were established in 2004 and the Transportation Improvement District (TID) was established in 2006. Priorities for money flow seemed to change. In 2008 seventy-four (74) beds were lost at the jail and 9 officers were laid off at this time as funding was not forthcoming. There are 512 beds total with 245 being utilized at this present time. Sheriff Rodenberg, Judge Brock and Mr. Brothers all stated the need for opening more jail cells. Over 12000 warrants cannot be served due to lack of open jail capacity. Judge Brock stated the Ohio State mandate to the court system is to protect the public and punish the offenders. Sheriff Rodenberg stated the funding should be on-going because he did not ever want to have a future lay-off of 9 officers after accepting and training them. The discussion ended with agreement to research the funding possibilities and costs to open either 32 or 74 beds.

Feb 23 work session was a lengthy discussion on the up-coming need for a very expensive County wide Radio Communications System upgrade, strategy for funding sources, with further research into costs to the local communities.

The TID meeting held February 18 provided a DRAFT 2011 budget which will be considered and approved at the March meeting. Total revenue of $27,050,043.00 with project and administrative expenses of $23,187,692.00 are planned.