At the November 16, 2016 meeting of the Clark County Commissioners, the commissioners acknowledged receipt and approved an expedited Type 1 Annexation Petition for 46.31 acres at 2650 Springfield-Jamestown Road owned by Lisa Pauley of Springfield Township to the City of Springfield. The annexation was requested so that The Kroger Company, who has agreed to purchase six acres of the property, can split the property, purchase six acres, and build a new store at that location.
The annexation falls under the Cooperative Economic Development Agreements (CEDA) between government agencies that require that the annexation be approved unless a technical problem is found in the request. CEDA was established to facilitate cooperation between and among local governments to promote economic development or to provide public services to encourage further economic growth in a local community.
In addition, the commissioners authorized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Clark County Agriculture Society to pay $135,991 for capital improvements to the fair grounds. The monies are to make repairs to Horse Barn One and Two. The barns are in disrepair. There are serious issues with the electricity and the facilities are fire hazards because some of the support beams and roof are rotted.
The Reining Association, who uses the facilities three times a year, has offered $25,000 for the repair and renovation of the facilities. In addition, The Cattle Association has also agreed to donate $10,000. Fairgrounds Director Dean Blair has also secured $15,000 from the Convention Facility Authorities (CFA) for the project.
The renovations include replacing the roofs, replacing rotting poles, and providing a new electrical system. In addition, asphalt would be installed to create multipurpose picnic type shelters out of the existing facilities. The resulting structures could then be fitted with temporary horse stalls when needed, but also be used for cattle tie-ups and aisles. This would give the fairgrounds the ability to supporter bigger cattle shows.
Commissioner John Detrick added, “The county commission has really stepped forward to upgrade the number one tourist attraction in the county. We have spent over a half million dollars in the last year to upgrade the facility. Over 70% of the county’s tourism dollars are generated by the fair grounds and this has a direct effect on the city through increased hotel and restaurant business.”
In regular business, County Administrator Jennifer Hutchinson asked the commissioners to authorize a commercial guaranty to Security Nation Bank for the Clark County Land Reutilization Corporation for a $250,000 note. She also requested approval of a payment of $41,388.27 to the Montgomery County Treasurer for Clark County share of the 2015 Court of Appeals Operating costs and a payment of $4,746.69 to US Bank Equipment Finance for the copier lease.
In addition, the commissioners approved a payment to US Bank Trust NA for $8,753.770.83 for principal and interest for capital improvements for various facilities in Clark County.
For the Prosecutor’s Office, the commissioners accepted two grants from the Ohio Attorney General Office for the Victim Witness Program effective October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017. The first grant was for $98,538.26 from the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) for reimbursement to, or on behalf of, a crime victim for medical costs, mental health counseling, funeral and burial costs, and lost wages or loss of support. The second grant for $5,935.61 was from State Victim Assistance Academy (SVAA), which provides education and training for victim assistance providers, victim advocates, criminal justice personnel, and allied professionals.
For the Veteran’s Office, the commissioners authorized the purchase of a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan for $24,288 from Jeff Wyler. Detrick said, “I’m glad to see us buying locally in Clark County.”
In addition, George Degenhart, Director of Planning & Zoning of German Township attended the meeting. He said, “I would like to thank the county commissioners for everything you have been doing. We see a lot of work from you and the results have positioned Clark County well. The county has addressed many distressed properties and the county staff is wonderful to work with. Clark County may not be growing, but we are changing rapidly for the better.”
The next meeting of the Clark County Commissioners is scheduled for November 23, 2016 at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Conference Room at 50 E Columbia Street.
