Clermont County commissioners will decide Aug. 12 whether to award a $1.6 million contract for water and wastewater system repairs and authorize grant applications for a major sewer plant expansion, two actions that touch residents in Loveland, Milford and surrounding communities who depend on county infrastructure.
The meeting begins at 10 a.m. at the county administration building, 101 E. Main St. in Batavia, according to the draft agenda reported by the Clermont Guardian. Items are subject to change before the session.
The biggest-ticket item: a one-year contract with Utter Construction Inc. of Bethel for maintenance and repair of the county's water and wastewater systems, estimated at $1,628,492 annually with an option to renew for a second year. The Clermont County Water Resources Department said the bid, received in July, was the lowest and best offer.
Commissioners are also set to authorize the county's utilities director to apply for state grant and loan funding for the Lower East Fork Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion and Improvements Projects. The resolution would tap programs including the State Capital Improvement Program, the Ohio Small Communities Environmental Infrastructure Group and the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund. The scope and cost of the expansion have not been publicly detailed, but according to a county Water Resources presentation earlier this year, the five-year wastewater capital plan includes 53 projects totaling nearly $247 million, with funding gaps acknowledged.
Children's services gets $2M budget boost
Separately, commissioners plan to approve a $2 million supplemental appropriation to Children Services as a mid-year budget action. The move comes after a 1.0-mill Children's Protective Services levy failed in the May 5 primary election and commissioners voted July 15 to place a renewal levy (with no rate increase) on the Nov. 3 ballot. As we reported July 30, that ballot measure will reach Loveland, Milford and Symmes Township taxpayers.
The $2 million appropriation would keep the department funded while voters weigh the levy this fall.
Other agenda items
The board is also expected to:
- Authorize the Sheriff's Office to accept a $51,379 state subgrant for the county drug unit, requiring a $17,126 local match.
- Approve a three-year, $630,091 software renewal with Tyler Technologies for the county's permitting and licensing system.
- Open bidding for the Filager Campus Improvement Phase III project, with bids due Sept. 17.
- Accept final payment on the completed 2025 Road Resurfacing Program, Phase 1, carried out by Barrett Paving Materials in various townships.
The meeting is open to the public.
Board president Bonnie Batchler, vice president David Painter and commissioner Claire Corcoran make up the three-member board. The session opens with a presentation from John McManus, director of the Clermont County Soil and Water Conservation District, and includes a public participation period.
