Hocking County adopts Hazard Mitigation Plan 2025

The Hocking County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the Hocking County Hazard Mitigation Plan 2025 during a public meeting.

The plan, described in the resolution read during the meeting, identifies mitigation goals and actions intended "to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property in Hocking County, Ohio from the impacts of future hazards and disasters." Adoption demonstrates the county's commitment to pursuing those goals and to meeting federal requirements tied to certain disaster mitigation funds.

Commissioners moved and seconded the resolution; after a brief request to sign associated paperwork brought by a staff member identified as Aiden, the board conducted a roll-call confirmation. Commissioner Andrew Davidson was recorded as voting yes; other commissioners present answered in the affirmative during roll call. A commissioner present said, "I vote to approve," before the roll call was completed.

The resolution as read cites compliance with the Disaster Mitigation Act (referred to in the meeting as the “disaster mitigation act of February”) and directs county officials to adopt the plan for the county. County staff noted there are additional documents associated with the adoption that require signatures for implementation and to satisfy partnering jurisdictions and grant requirements.

County officials did not discuss specific project-level funding in the adoption motion. The board approved the plan and authorized signing of related paperwork so that designated county and township participants can complete any required acknowledgments.

Officials indicated the adoption is a prerequisite for certain federal and state mitigation funding but did not specify any immediate funding awards tied to the plan during the meeting.