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County engineer urges support for OPWC bond renewal, stresses local return on state funds
Summary
County Engineer Chris Bauserman briefed commissioners on the upcoming May ballot issue to renew the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) bond authorization, outlining project eligibility, district process and the local benefits of the program.
Chris Bauserman, Delaware County Engineer, told the Board of Commissioners on April 7 that Ohio's OPWC program is a long-standing source of low-cost grants and 0-percent loans for local infrastructure and urged the public-information value of the county explaining the ballot measure to voters.
Bauserman said the program began in 1987 and is on the ballot in May for a 10-year renewal. The current proposed authorization amount is $2.5 billion; the county engineer said that since 1987 Delaware County has had 2,908 projects approved and more than $80 million invested locally through the program. He also emphasized that the OPWC process is district-driven and that local committees recommend projects for funding.
Why it matters: Bauserman framed the renewal as a mechanism to return state tax dollars to local governments for roads, bridges, sewer, water and stormwater projects. He said the program offers favorable loan terms (including 0-percent loans) and local control over project prioritization, making it an efficient funding source for capital infrastructure.
Bauserman described the program's mechanics and district structure: Delaware County sits in a six-county OPWC district with Morrow, Knox, Licking, Fairfield and Pickaway Counties; Franklin County is in a separate district. He said district grading committees evaluate and rank projects and that the state issues bond proceeds after voter approval. He also noted that in recent distributions the district provided about $11.2 million in grant funding to area projects.
On eligibility and scoring, Bauserman said counties, cities, villages, townships and stand-alone sewer/water districts may apply; higher-scoring projects often include larger local matches, multi-jurisdictional partnerships, safety improvements and projects that restore or maintain existing infrastructure rather than create new capacity.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about eligibility and priorities; the board's discussion emphasized that commissioners may not take an official position by statute, while noting the practical benefits of the program for local governments and townships.
Ending: Bauserman asked officials to help communicate the role and local benefits of the OPWC renewal to residents. Commissioners summarized the program's value and said the county's grama-enhancement program (matching local shares for township/city applications) helps local applicants be more competitive.
