At the September 9, 2015 meeting of the Clark County Commissioners, the commissioners agreed to negotiate a possible land sale to Mad River Township. Richard Lohnes, County Commissioner, reported that Mad River Township Trustees approached him for the purchase of 2.36 acres located in the township. The county currently owns the property and the county utilities department uses it. The county received an appraisal of the property from Mumma Realty for $25,000. Bob McClure, Mad River Township Trustee, offered to lease the property back to the county for $1 per year if the sale is approved. In the future, the township would like the property to address drainage issues in the area; however, are not financially ready to do so at this time.
In the discussion that followed John Detrick, Commissioner, said, “We are duty bound to sell the property to them. Springfield did the same thing for us.”
However, John Burr, County Engineer objected, “Why don’t we keep the property for now since they aren’t ready? I’ve been looking at properties in the county and am fearful that we can’t find a property to meet our needs at an affordable price. The prices are more than we need to spend. If they decide to come in, I’m out with nowhere to go.
Detrick replied, “The property has certain liabilities underground.”
David Herier, Commissioner, asked, “How long do we have before they need it?’ The key is the termination clause.”
Detrick added, “This is one of the areas of Clark County that is growing. What we do with the trucks there is not good for growth.”
Lohnes said, “Since they are interested in the property for future planning, I think we should proceed. All we are agreeing to is to offer it. We are only agreeing to talk. The price is nonnegotiable. There are reasons for them to take care of us. If we go to auction, $25,000 would be the minimum bid.”
In the end Nathan Kennedy, County Administrator, said, “I will instruct my staff to begin working out a lease and terms.”
In other business, for the Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS), the commissioners authorized a contract with Apex Mechanical Systems, Inc. for $47,680 to provide maintenance and repair to the DJFS campus for HVAC systems from September 9, 2015 through September 8, 2016. This contract primarily covers maintenance; however, a small portion of the contract will cover repair of the existing HVAC system. The HVAC maintenance for the remaining departments in the county is negotiated under the state contract and is with Trane.
For the Utilities Department, the commissioners authorized an inter-governmental agreement between the Clark County Utilities Department and the Ohio Department of Transportation for $100,000 to extend a water main under SR 235 near Park Layne. The contract is effective September 9, 2015 through December 31, 2018. According to Kennedy, the project involves extending the water main approximately 200 to 300 feet from the existing line, under SR 235, and into Park Layne. He said, “In the end, the project will be cheaper to do this way and will allow the county to serve effectively the entire southern portion of Clark County.”
The commissioners also authorized placement of uncollected Water and Sewer Use Charges on the Tax Duplicate for 21 additional residents in Mad River, Bethel, and Moorefield Townships. Detrick added, “The large number of uncollected fees just makes me want to shake my head.”
For the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and City of Springfield, the commissioners approved payments for Wireless 911 Service. The payment to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office was for $15,547.77, whereas, the payment to the City of Springfield for $23,321.65.
In regular business, the commissioners approved the quarterly contract payment to the Clark County Humane Society for $59,540.65. In addition, they approved the payment of $1,875 for hydrophobia claims to the society.
The Budget Commission of Clark County submitted the amounts and rates for the various tax levies. The summary yields for the estimated taxes for the general fund total $3,865,684. For the Children’s Services/Home Fund, Mental Health & Recover Fund, Board of Developmental Disabilities, and Senior Citizen’s Levy Fund totaled $26,410,208. These funds are reported separately because they are outside of the 10-mill limit that local governments are permitted to charge without voter consent.
The commissioners also acknowledged the annual report from the County Prosecutor and receipt of the Tax Incentive Review Council Recommendations from May 27, 2015. The commissioners will review and make a decision on the recommendations by October 30, 2015.
The next meeting of the Clark County Commissioners is scheduled for September 16, at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Conference Room at 50 East Columbia Street.
