Local County Government Report for March – 2011 – by Faye Miller

March 2 Work Session 10:00 am

Proposed changes to the Water Management & Sediment Control Regulations were discussed but no formal actions from the Commissioners as of yet.

March 9 Commissioners Meeting (Humphries absent)
Re. Item 9 – Amendment #4 to contract between Brown & Clermont/Multi-County
Juvenile Detention Center guarantee of two beds at $95.00 per day and any in excess of those two beds based on availability at $101.00 per day.

March 10 Work Session 10:00 am

Southern Ohio Agricultural & Community Development Foundation made known the availability of a $25000.00 grant to be used only for OSU-Extension or Soil/Water. Discussions lend to giving $2400 to Soil/Water for the Smart Balance program and the remaining $ 22600.00 to OSUE for 4-H, horticulture and family programs.

Announcement of new board members appointed to the County Planning Commission.

TID budget for 2011 was undated to $ 27,072,283.

Radio Communications System discussion began for an upgrade at the $10 million level. This upgrade will eventually cause expenses upon all local levels of emergency service.

CIC – Discussions on how the CIC has been unmonitored for too long, Commissioners now all sitting on the CIC and meetings are now open. Commissioner Wilson asked for a CIC meeting which was then scheduled for March 16 at 9:00 am.

March 16 CIC meeting – 9:00 am

New officers: Pres.- Ed Humphries, Vice Pres.- Chris Smith, Sec.- Dave Spinney, Treasurer- Andy Kuchta
Repayment to the General Fund in amount of $ 424,717.00 from 12-30-10 sale of land to KAO Ivy Point-Two LLC.
$ 4668.75 payment authorized to Kegler Brown Hill & Ritter for legal services rendered related to a Funding Participation Agreement with Union Twp (Inv# 532428)
 
Commissioner Wilson asked Administrator Spinney to provide a summary of monies from and back to General funds from CIC to bring him up to an understanding level of past contracts/payments.

After much discussion of correspondence received from Charles Kubicki requesting deferral of a due payment a decision to have the attorney for CIC send a letter stating no deferral would be allowed; payment due.

(Page 2 – March 2011 County Report)

Commissioner Wilson also questioned the Jungle Jim transaction with Union Twp stating a current audit might prove a poor loan risk. Disappointed more research hadn’t been done prior to entering the current contract and wanted that contract reviewed by the Prosecutor’s office.

March 16 Work Session – 10:00 am

Further discussion took place on the need for more jail beds. Direction was given by Commissioner Wilson to get this on the docket of the Commissioner Agenda that day. Item 27 appeared on the agenda at the 1:00 session and approved for the opening of 32 additional beds.

Office of Public Information presented proposal for a $40 thousand upgrade and was received favorably with further bids to be presented at later date.

March 16 Commissioners Meeting

Re. Item 12 – The Planning Dept and the Economic Dev. Dept were combined into the Dept. of Community & Economic Development. Andy Kuchta, Director and two vacant planners’ positions cut from system.

Re. Item 25 – The acceptance of a Resolution from the Prosecutor’s office
adopting the practice of an invocation being given prior to the start of Commissioner’s meetings. Local ministers will be invited to participate.

Re. Items 17 & 18 – Resolution # 30-11 to recover funds for failed performance and maintenance bonds from White Farm Development, LLC for $40,000.00 and $ 2330.00 respectively on behalf of the Clermont County Commissioners for construction and/or maintenance activities required for the completion of said projects uncompleted.

March 23 Commissioners Meeting (Proud absent)

Re. Item 8 – Approval of the purchase thru Speedway Pre-Paid Card LLC in the amount of $24,996.90 for 1377 cards at $10 value for use by “customers” of Dept of Job & Family Services in need of transportation assistance and 1200 cards of $10 value for use by “customers” of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

Re. Item 10 – Execution of SFY 2012 Ohio Dept of Alcohol & Drug Addiction Services Treatment & Recovery Program Grant #13-2960-TASC-O-11-9178 in the amount of

(page 3 – March 2011 County Report)

$172,931.00 with a local cash match of $28, 500.00 provided from the general fund bringing total to $201,431.00.

Re. Item 14 – Execution of Program for Sub grant # 2010-JG-A01-6250 from Ohio Dept of Public Safety Office of Criminal Justice Services to Clermont County Drug Unit in the amount of $85,500.00 with local match of $28,500.00 for a total of $ 114,000.00.

March 28 Work Session 10:00 am

Lengthy discussion on the Water and Sewer Rate/Fee Study and Unit Plans of Work

2010 customers at 40,616 Operation & maintenance cost for 2011 projected to be $ 8.11 million. Growth rate of new customers has decreased from 3% to 1%. All records are now on GIS which allows for faster breaks & shut-offs. Minimum reserve will be tapped out in 2015 if no rate increase is put in place.

March 30 Work Session 10:00 am

Capital Plan was the main topic of discussion with multiple handouts. Southern Ohio Agricultural & Community Development Foundation Grant was discussed again with the same outcome: $2400.00 to Soil/Water and $ 22600.00 to OSU Extension Service. Scot Lahrmer to write the grant with some flexibility included.

A Planning Commission position is open for appointment.

March 30 Commissioners Meeting

Proclamation given for “National County Government Month” in Clermont County recognizing the theme of “Serving Our Veterans, Armed Forces and Their Families”
40,000 Clermont County veterans or their family members are being served at this time.

Re. Item 11 – Clermont County Municipal Court/Adult Probation Department grants received for $108,861.00 and $104,566.00 with no local match needed thru Community Corrections Act 408 Jail Diversion Programs. Monies are used for the existing Ohio award winning programs for probation in lee of jail, providing road side clean-up, various tasks about the County buildings and programs which attempt to change behavior patterns and provide mentors.