At the March 23, 2016 meeting of the Clark County Commissioners, the commissioners passed a resolution in support of applications for the Agricultural Easement Purchasing Program (AEPP). The AEPP provides funding to landowners and communities to preserve Ohio’s farmland. The program purchases agricultural easements from landowners who volunteer to keep their land in agricultural production forever. The resolution supports five properties in Harmony Township, two in Pleasant Township, and one each in Pike and Madison Townships.

In regular business, the commissioners approved an increase of the contract with the Humane Society Service Clark County Inc. by $76,887.55. The approval extends the current contract through April 30, 2016. According to County Administrator Nathan Kennedy, “The current contract was extended because the department lost two key people. The new administration is still learning, which made the contract difficult to negotiate. However, the county and the Human Society are still working on the main contract.”

They also authorized a contract with National Trail Parks and Recreation (NTPRD) for $145,000 to provide county recreation services. The contract is effective March 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016.

In addition, they approved payments of $140,000 to the Clark Soil and Water Conservation District for the 2016 allocation and a payment to the Village of South Vienna of $9,000 for the county’s cost share portion of the Route 54 bypass.

Furthermore, the commissioners designated Commissioner John Detrick as the representative for the Transportation Coordinating Committee with the term to expire on December 31, 2016. Commissioner David Herier will serve as the alternate.

For the Community Development Director, the commissioners authorized a contract with Clark County Park District not to exceed $10,000 to provide financial and payroll support services to the Park District effective April 1, 2016 through March 31, 2017. Detrick commented, “This contract demonstrates good cooperation between different government agencies.”

For the Engineer Department, the commissioners approved a contract with Prime AE Group, Inc. for $76,059 to design work to resurface Springfield Xenia Road from the Springfield City limits to Yellow Springs Street. In addition, the contract design addresses the resurfacing of a bridge and an upgrade to a traffic light in the area.

At the close of the meeting, Commissioner Richard Lohnes reported that he attended a meeting of the Clark County Family Children First Council. The council is a partnership of state and local government, communities and families whose goal is to enhance Ohio’s children and families by building community support, systems and services for families. OFCF’s goal is for every child and family to succeed in a healthy community. According to Lohnes at the meeting, United Way announced the United Volunteers Program to allow citizens to contact all nonprofit agencies in the area to volunteer. In addition, United Way provides the 2-1-1 Information and Referral Service that serves Clark, Champaign & Madison County. They provide referrals to many different not-for-profit organizations for families and individuals. Lohnes also said the council is working with Promise Neighborhood to provide families with preschoolers a connection to available programs. He said, “Research shows that if you want to improve lives, you must start at the preschool level. By the time the child is in high school it is too late.”

The next meeting of the Clark County Commissioners is scheduled for March 30, 2016 at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioners Conference Room at 50 E. Columbia Street.

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