“..there are assets in the rest of Clark County that have not been given the attention they deserve, especially Western Clark County. I am in favor of continuing the tax.”
At the December 30, 2015 meeting of the Clark County Commissioners, the commissioners approved the renewal of the 1/2% sales tax for five years. The move was made to avoid shortfalls in county spending that will occur without the tax. The commissioners approved the tax with several caveats. First they requested that Nathan Kennedy, County Administrator, develop a budget policy that allocates a specified portion of the taxes collected over the amount needed.
Second, the commissioners instructed Kennedy to develop budgetary policies for commission approval that address how and when the line item is used in an economic downturn, and to develop policies for economic development. Commissioner Richard Lohnes said, “I propose we develop criteria for how the money be used for economic programs with a designated payback. This should not be for granting just any project.”
Commissioner David Herier agreed, “I believe that the percentage of people who are in favor of the tax is higher than the vocal minority against. What they want is a community that keeps young people. A community that is wholesome. The economic development line item should directly address these concerns.”
Initially, Commissioner John Detrick proposed that the tax be extended ten years, however neither of the other commissioners would support that time. He reduced the proposed renewal time to five years. Detrick said he was a strong proponent of the tax. He said, “We have an 18% poverty rate, with no cost of living increases for social security recipients. Some of those living in poverty are adamantly against the tax. However, with the tax we are able to run the county well. It will give us economic stability and the creativity to encourage economic growth.”
Kennedy added, “I believe making it permanent is a bad move. It makes us lazy with our money.”
John Federer, County Auditor, added, “The County owns assets that are deteriorating. We have no idea what we are getting into with the A.B. Graham and Courthouse remodel, and we will probably be mandated to upgrade the 911 system. The fairgrounds are a deteriorating asset. It is in poor shape. We are on the cusp of getting something good to happen. It is the wrong time to limit work. In addition, there are assets in the rest of Clark County that have not been given the attention, they deserve, especially Western Clark County. I am in favor of continuing the tax. I’m in favor of establishing a fund with a cap. Any down turn in the economy needs to look at specific means to pull money out with foresight to pay back the fund. I’d rather see retail outlets with paybacks developed. The benefits gained from any project need to be specific.”
Lohnes approved the sales tax with reservations. “I prefer three years for the renewal. I want a specified portion of sales tax to go to the economic fund. I want to amend the budget management policy to ensure the money goes to economic development. We need to all agree what is to happen with the money, how to encourage economic development and how to handle emergency situations.”
The commissioners all agreed to the five-year renewal with the caveats specified. The current 1/2% sales tax expires at the end of 2016. However, the approval extends the 1/2 % tax through the end of 2021 and allows the county to concentrate on an economy favorable to business development in Clark County.
In regular business, the Grants Coordinator requested reductions and payments for road construction projects in the county. At his request, the commissioners authorized a reduction in the contract with Durst Brothers Excavating, Inc. by $2,962.20 for the Bethel Township Drainage Improvements Project because of lower than estimated quantities. They also approved a payment to Durst Brothers Excavating, Inc. for $50,247.80 for the project. Bethel Township provided matching funds for $6,000.
In addition, the coordinator requested a reduction of $7,020.71 for the Prentice Drive Street and Drainage Improvements Project with Sturm Construction because of lower than estimated quantities. The commissioners approved a payment to Sturm Construction, Inc. for $80,400 for project. The City of New Carlisle provided matching funds of $84,579.29.
For the Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS), the commissioners authorized a contract with ACT, Inc for $11,850 to purchase ACT Key Train/Career Ready 101 License for use in the OhioMeansJobs Center, from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2018. The ACT Career Curriculum provides interactive courses focused on the knowledge and skills important for success in the workplace.
In addition, the commissioners increased the contract with Forensic Fluids by $5,595 to a total of $11,180 to purchase additional drug testing supplies. The contract is effective March 16, 2015 through December 31, 2016. They also extended the contract termination date with CHOICES, Inc to February 29, 2016. The contract is valued at $138,167.28.
Furthermore, the commissioners authorized two contracts for DJFS with Oesterlen Services for Youth. The first contract for $191,840 provides home-based and homemaker services to families and adults effective from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016. The second contract for Oesterlen Services for Youth for $211,203 provides community-based and individualized wraparound services to children and families to prevent children from formally entering the child welfare system, to prevent out-home placement, to assist in timely reunification when a child is placed out of the home, and/or to prevent a placement disruption. The contract is effective January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016.
Last, the commissioners accept a leases agreement for DJFS with TAC Enterprises, Inc. for $1,200 per month for a vehicle needed to meet the transportation needs of individuals with developmental disabilities enrolled in programs and services effective from December 21 2015 through December 29, 2016.
For the Information Systems Network Director, the commissioners authorized a contract with Woodhull LLC to provide countywide procurement of multi-function devices. The county already now has two vendors from which departments can chose for these services. Initially, both contracts were negotiated at the same time; however, the Woodhull contract was delayed because the County and Woodhull could not come to reasonable terms. The county would request a change and Woodhull would make additional changes that the county could not accept. This negotiation took several iterations before the two could come to an agreement.
For the Clark County Solid Waste District, the commissioners authorized a inter-governmental agreement on behalf of the Clark County Solid Waste District with the Clark County Combined Health District for $125,000 to provide a minimum staff equal to one full-time registered sanitarian with support staff to administer and enforce state and federal laws and regulations applicable to the solid waste for the district effective January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016.
To address County Administration needs the commissioners set the date and time for the annual reorganization meeting of the Board of County Commissioners for Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at 8:30 a.m. at the Commission Offices at 50 E. Columbia St.
In addition, they appointed Robert F. Hill, Ed. D, Springfield City Schools, Greta May, Mental Health Recovery Board, and Marcia Flex, U.A.W. to service on the Clark County Family Services Planning County for terms expiring December 31, 2018.
They also designated Detrick and County Engineer Jon Burr, to serve as representatives to the Transportation Coordinating Committee with terms to expire December 31, 2016. George Degenhart will serve as Detrick’s alternate and Paul DeButy will serve as Burr’s alternate for the board.
The commissioners approved the temporary appropriations for 2016 effective January 1, 2016. These will be replaced by permanent appropriations when the final budget is approved mid-January 2016.
For Zoning and Planning, the commissioners set the date and time for a public hearing to rezone 26 acres located at the intersection of SR 235 and Dille Road to R-3 Medium Density Single-Family, 34 acres from A-1 to I-1’S’ Industrial District, Specific Use and 27 acres to R-1 Rural Residence District. The hearing is set for Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. in the County Offices at 50 E. Columbia St. Arthur D. Paradise filed the request.
The next meeting of the Clark County Commissioners is scheduled for January 6, 2016 at 8:30 a.m. in the County Offices.
