At the November 11, 2015 meeting of the Clark County Commissioners, Roger Reynolds, County Auditor for Butler County, announced to the commissioners that he plans to run for John Boehner’s vacated spot in the House of Representative. Boehner’s replacement will represent the 8th District, which includes Butler, Clark, Darke, Miami, Preble Counties and the southernmost portion of Mercer County.

According to Reynolds, his goals are to apply the skills he acquired from management in the private sector to the federal government. He said, “Because of federal and state mandates, the local governments have to do more with less. We need the right skills and the right technology.” He added, “The government needs to realize that if it is not their business, they need to stay out of the business.”

Reynolds began his government service as a fiscal officer in Liberty Township and was elected as the Butler County Auditor in 2008, a position that he has held since. He is a certified public accountant.

In addition to Reynolds, three other Republican candidates have announced their intentions of seeking the seat including Sen. Bill Beagle (R-Tipp City), Republican J.D. Winteregg, who is a marketing manager for a grain elevator company, and Republican Scott George, who lives near Tipp City and works as an electronics engineer at Minardi Marking in Miamisburg. Reynolds is the first from Butler County. Furthermore, a resident of Butler County has represented the 8th District since 1970. No Democratic candidates have announced their intentions to run.

In regular business, the commissioners announced that they plan to place a renewal of the local sales tax on the March ballot. The county sales tax is 1/2 percent. According to Nathan Kennedy, County Administrator, the tax, which is due to expire June 30, 2016, contributes approximately $39 million to the county budget. Without the revenue, the county will need to make drastic cuts to their 2016 budget. Public hearings will be help in the public chambers on the fifth floor of the county building on December 9, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. and on December 10, 2015 at the same location at 10:00 a.m.

For the Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS), the commissioners authorized three contracts to provide foster care and residential placements for children totaling $105,750. The first contract was for Cornell Abraxas Group, Inc. for $10,000 effective November 11, 2015 through June 30, 2017. The second contract with St. Joseph Orphanage for $15,000 is effective September 22, 2015 through June 30, 2017. Furthermore, the third contract The Village Network for $80,000 is effective July 1, 2015 through June 30 2017.

In addition, the commissioners authorized a contract for DJFS with Family and Youth Initiatives for $50,250 to provide youth workforce investment activities under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act for OhioMeansJobs effective November 11, 2015 through June 30, 2016.

They also authorized a contract with GameTime, C/O David Williams & Associates, Inc. for $30,150 to provide playground equipment, fencing, installation and ground cover at the Visitation Center effective November 11, 2015 through December 31, 2015.

Last, they authorized a contract with OIC of Clark County for $150,750 to provide services to out-of-school youth to increase their capacity for achievement and education in the workforce effective November 11, 2015 through June 30, 2016.

Furthermore, for DJFS, the commissioners authorized a grant submission to the Adult Protective Services Planning Process for $50,000 to identify and coordinate available resources, assess existing capacity, and develop a collaborative county plan for building system capacity. The grant is effective November 14, 2015 through June 30, 2016.

In addition, with the additional jobs lost that the county has seen in recent months because of retailers and businesses closing in the Springfield area, the director of the DJFS plans to apply for additional grants to assist displaced workers. Many of the displaced workers do not have computer skills and must now apply for unemployment benefits on line. The additional grant will help displaced workers develop the necessary skills and better prepare them for future employment.

For the Deputy Engineer, the commissioners authorized a change order reducing the contract for the Fairfield Pike Road Construction with A & B Asphalt Corporation by $4,528.96 to reflect actual quantities used in the project. The new contract total is for $788,909.96.

For the Utilities Director, they acknowledged bids for the Joseph Drive Lift Station Project from Fryman-Kuck for $156,452.90 and from Sunesis for $107,755.45. Furthermore, they moved to reject all bids that exceeded the engineer’s estimate of $90,000 by 10%. The bidding process will be restarted since neither of the bids met the bid qualifications. The new bids are due by November 20, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in the County Commission office.

In regular business, the commissioners signed the Mylars to re-plat two subdivisions in the county. The first re-plat is for lots 83 and 84 totally 2.081 acres in the Echo Hills Estates, Section 5 in Mad River Township. The second re-plat is for Part Lot #1 and #2 totaling 3.9339 acres of Enon Glen, Section 5 in Mad River Township. No public improvements are required for either development.

In addition, the commissioners authorized the placement of uncollected water and sewer use charges for 22 property owners totaling over $10,000 for residents in Bethel Township. The advantage to the county for placing the charges on the tax duplicate ensures that eventually the county will collect the fees. For the property owner, the practice stops the accumulation of late charges.

They also approved payment to Project Woman for 1st, 2nd and 3rd quarter 2015 marriage license fees for $21,252.17.

Furthermore, they approved the renewal of Dental Plan contributions for employees and elected officials with Superior Dental Care for 2016 and 2017, and approved the employer and employee contributions for the plan. The employer will contribute $18.22 per month, whereas the employee will contribute $12.20 for a single plan and $51.54 for a family plan per month. These rates have been level for the last five years.

The commissioners also authorized employee benefits for Life, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage, Voluntary Life, and Voluntary Disability, and Volunteer Vision Insurance with One America Company effective January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2018.

The Clark County Commissioners will not meet on November 11, 2015 because the County Offices are closed to commemorate Veterans Day. The next meeting of the commissioners is scheduled for November 18, 2015 at 8:30 a.m. in the County Commissioner Conference Room.