At the February 22,2017 meeting of the Clark County Commissioners, County Resident Schmidt asked the commissioners about a proposal to allow boat racing on the lake located on the fairgrounds. She expressed her concerns. “I don’t feel that bringing speed boats to the fairgrounds to race is a good idea. If the boat racers get their foot in the door, then the next thing is car racing. The noise would be bad. I have three concerns, the decibel level would be prohibitive, traffic would increase and drugs and alcohol would become a problem.”

Commissioner Richard Lohnes responded, “There are a lot of hoops to go through before boat racing would be allowed. First the facility is not boat race ready. It would cost over $300,000 or more. The fair board would have to finance the improvements and they simply don’t have the money.”

He added, “Dean Blair is looking at putting in a boat ramp to allow for boat shows at the fairgrounds, but a race involves a lot of expense and liability.”

Commissioner Lowell McGlothin reassured Schmidt, “There would have to be public input before boat racing would be allowed at the facility.”

Lohnes added, “A boat show is a good idea. It can be accomplished with minimal expense. The fairground generates 70% of the county’s tourism dollars.”

Commissioner Melanie Flax-Wilt explained, “Our job is to hold the Fair Board accountable to run a sustainable operation and to address their primary objective of youth development opportunities.”

The commissioners authorized two Memorandums of Understanding (MOU). The first was for to Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director between the Clark County Commissioners and the Miami Valley Disaster Recovery Team to provide damage assessment services to Clark County in the case of a disaster.

The second MOU was between the commissioners and the Clark County Agriculture Society to amended an existing MOU. The MOU is to remove stalls, fix and replace rotted poles and install metal roofs on Horse Barns One and Two for $36,355 to be replaced with $18,355. In addition, the MOU was modified to add $18,000 to install a fire barn. The horse barn project is being postponed because the Agriculture Society is having difficulty finding removable stalls. In addition, the fire barn needs built.

For the Engineer, the commissioners approved two contracts for right of way services for various road construction projects. The first contract with Integra Realty Resources is for $5,450 for a right-of-way appraisal review effective February 22, 2017. The second contract is with O.R. Colan Associates, LLC for $47,468 for right of way appraisal services for various road reconstruction projects effective February 22, 2017.

For the Humane Society Serving Clark County, the commissioners authorized an agreement for $80,000 for the Humane Society to provide facilities, materials, and services necessary for housing, feeding, caring for, destroying and disposing of any dogs seized by the County Dog Warden or the Warden’s Deputies effective January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017.

For the Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS), the commissioners increased the contract with Springfield Christian Youth Ministries by $36,975.33 to extend the contract through June 30, 2018.

They also approved a contract with Harmony Township to provide dispatching services to the township for $12,336.60 effective January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017.

For the Sheriff’s Department, the commissioners authorized the purchase of five new vehicles to replace an ageing fleet and to replace a cruiser that was totaled. The purchases include a 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe from Byers Chevrolet for $35,293, a 2017 Ford F150 truck from Middletown Ford for $25,608.65, three 2017 Ford Utility Police Interceptors from Lebanon Ford for a total of $83,388, and the purchase of a 2017 Ford F250 truck from Lebanon Ford for $29,328.

In regular business, the commissioners authorized a payment of $37,712 to Arcon Builders, Ltd. for work completed on the Juvenile Court Courtyard Improvement Project.

The next meeting of the Clark County Commissioners is scheduled for March 1, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Conference Room at 50 E Columbia Street.