Delaware County commissioners approve multiple routine measures, formally oppose Ohio EPA planning maps

The Delaware County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 24 approved a series of routine purchasing, planning and development measures, maintained the countywide 9-1-1 final plan and voted to submit formal comments opposing updates to Ohio EPA facility planning area maps.

The board, led by President Barb Lewis, approved resolutions to keep the county’s 9-1-1 final plan unchanged for 2025, accept various subdivision plats and engineering agreements, authorize purchases for the public-safety radio system and donate expired ballistic vests for training to Knox Technical College. Commissioners also approved sending a letter of opposition to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed facility planning area maps; the EPA’s public comment period runs through Feb. 28.

The 9-1-1 annual review — required under Ohio Revised Code Section 128.06 — was presented by the county 9-1-1 director, who recommended maintaining the plan in its current form. The board voted to accept that recommendation.

The board authorized a state-term purchase of radio licenses and related components for the countywide public-safety communications system at a cost of $179,135, a budgeted 2025 expense. Commissioners also approved donation of approximately 40 ballistic vests whose manufacturer warranty period has expired to Knox Technical College for use in training, after county EMS staff said the vests would be used only in training scenarios and not for live operations.

In planning and land-development items, the board approved multiple subdivision and plat-related actions that county staff said are part of several larger residential and mixed-use developments now moving through permitting, including phases of the Greens at North Star, Parkside at Evans Farm, Berlin Farm West and others. The board approved an amendment to the professional-services agreement with E. L. Robinson Engineering to add a traffic signal design and ordering of long-lead traffic poles for the State Route 3/Lewis Center intersection; county staff said poles can have 13–15 month lead times and the signal equipment will be ordered so installation can occur next summer.

Other approved measures included acceptance of completed work and establishment of developer maintenance on Dublin Court, approval of a culvert supply agreement and authorizing submission of an application for a state grant for capital improvements at the county jail. The board also authorized submission of an application for the Ohio chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics "Put a Lid on It" helmet program (no local match) and forwarded a new liquor license for Loner’s Pumpkin Farm LLC to the Ohio Division of Liquor Control with no objection.

The board’s vote tallies where recorded were unanimous among present commissioners (President Barb Lewis and Commissioner Gary Merrill); Commissioner Benton was recorded as absent. Several items, including the county’s opposition to the EPA maps, were presented with supporting background from environmental services and legal counsel and drew mention of township opposition and mixed support from municipalities.

Votes at a glance: - 25-122: Approve electronic record of proceedings from regular meeting 02/20/2025 — approved (Lewis Aye; Merrill Aye; Benton absent). - 25-123: Approve purchase orders/certificates/payments (batch CMAPR0221, MTAPR0221, P-card 0221) — approved. - 25-124: Grant annexation petition for 14.9 acres in Orange Township to Columbus — approved. - 25-125: Forward new liquor license for Loner’s Pumpkin Farm LLC to Ohio Division of Liquor Control with no objection — approved. - 25-126: Annual review/maintain final plan for countywide 9-1-1 system (ORC 128.06) — approved. - 25-127: Purchase radio licenses and components for public-safety communications (state term contract) — approved; cost $179,135. - 25-128: Donate expired ballistic vests to Knox Technical College for training — approved. - 25-129: Authorize application to Ohio chapter, AAP, for 2025 "Put a Lid on It" bike helmet program (no match) — approved. - 25-130: Approve submission of comments opposing Ohio EPA facility planning area maps — approved; public comment deadline Feb. 28. - 25-131: Approve amendment No. 1 with E. L. Robinson Engineering for SR 3/Lewis Center improvements (add traffic signal) — approved. - 25-132: Approve plat for Berkshire Lofts (commercial plat) — approved. - 25-133: Approve owner’s agreement & roadway improvements for Parkside at Evans Farm Section 1 — approved. - 25-134: Approve right-of-way work permits summary sheet — approved. - 25-135: Approve plans/specs and culvert supply contract for precast box culverts (three structures) — approved. - 25-136: Establish maintenance bond for Dublin Court (developer maintenance until next acceptance) — approved. - 25-137: Authorize submission of application for state jail capital improvements grant (Delaware County Sheriff) — approved. - 25-138: Adjourn into executive session for pending/imminent litigation and collective bargaining — approved.

Background and context: county staff said several of the planning items arise from a busy development pipeline and that January saw an unusually high number of new sewer system connections. On the Ohio EPA maps, county environmental staff and legal counsel described the county’s objection as focused on locking provider boundaries prematurely in areas where local planning or service ability remains unresolved; several townships are preparing letters of opposition while some municipalities have indicated support.

The board took no votes on policy items discussed during the meeting’s public-safety updates; those items will return to a future meeting if formal action is proposed.