Greene County commissioners authorize VAWA grant application, back agricultural easement and approve subdivision replats; proclaim History Month

The Greene County Board of Commissioners on March 27 in Xenia approved a request from the sheriff’s office to apply for a Violence Against Women Act grant, voted to support agricultural easements sought by the Tecumseh Land Trust, approved two subdivision replats and a $35,365 purchase of two portable traffic message boards, and proclaimed April as Greene County History Month and Records Management Month.

The grant authorization directs the sheriff’s office to pursue up to $60,000 in VAWA funding through the Office of Criminal Justice Services for a detective position at Violence Free Futures currently filled by Sergeant Prawl; the board approved the application and set the grant period as Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2026. The board’s motion to apply was approved by voice vote.

The commission also voted to adopt a resolution of support requested by the Tecumseh Land Trust for easement purchases affecting four property owners, including a roughly 60-acre parcel described in the exhibit. Commissioner Coogler abstained, saying he has “had a lot of concerns about this program” over the past 12 years and would refrain from voting; other commissioners voted aye and the resolution passed.

Two subdivision matters were approved: a replat in the Meadows of Cedarville to extinguish and dedicate storm-sewer easements so a former clubhouse area can be sold as a residential lot, and a lot split in Fox Run Subdivision creating Lots 12D and 12E from 12C in Sugar Creek Township. The board granted both replat requests by voice vote.

On county purchasing, the commission approved the county engineer’s request to buy two portable, tow-behind traffic message boards for a total of $35,365. A commissioner noted that Xenia Township and other jurisdictions share similar equipment and that the county engineer allows townships to borrow county equipment.

Financial and personnel items included approval of vouchers and routine transfers. Among those transfers, commissioners approved shared youth placement per diems for Family and Children First and an advance of approximately $1,000,000 into the sanitary fund for the Hilltop project while the county awaits related grant proceeds.

The board also honored Anita Austin on her retirement after 35 years with the county’s Department of Job and Family Services. The commission approved a resolution extending its gratitude for Austin’s service.

Mary McKinley, public outreach coordinator for the Greene County Records Center and Archives, asked the commission to proclaim April as Greene County History Month and Records Management Month. McKinley described the change from a single week to a month of events and highlighted local partners—the Greene County Historical Society and Greene County Public Library—who will help mark the county’s 222nd birthday. “We are here today to ask the commissioners to recognize April as the newly fledged Greene County History Month,” McKinley said, and the commission approved the proclamation.

Votes at a glance: - Authorization to apply for 2025 Violence Against Women Act grant (Office of Criminal Justice Services; funding up to $60,000; grant period 01/01/2026–12/31/2026): approved (yes 3, no 0, abstain 0). - Resolution of support for Tecumseh Land Trust agricultural easement applications (four property owners; ~60-acre parcel noted in exhibit): approved (yes 2, no 0, abstain 1 — Commissioner Coogler abstained). - Replat, Meadows of Cedarville (Lot 137A easement extinguishment/dedication): approved (yes 3, no 0, abstain 0). - Replat, Fox Run Subdivision (lot split 12C → 12D and 12E): approved (yes 3, no 0, abstain 0). - Purchase of two portable traffic message boards (total $35,365): approved (yes 3, no 0, abstain 0). - Transfers including Family and Children First per diems and sanitary advance for Hilltop project (approx. $1,000,000 advance): approved (yes 3, no 0, abstain 0). - Approval of vouchers, travel/training items (including $15,000 for adult probation training for 20 employees), personnel actions, and a retirement resolution for Anita Austin: all approved by voice vote.

Discussion and next steps Commissioners asked routine questions about training costs for adult probation staff; a commissioner noted many of the trainings are tied to accreditation requirements. The VAWA authorization directs staff to submit the application; any award will be contingent on the grant-making process and future acceptance of funds and position budget changes if necessary. The Tecumseh Land Trust will use the county’s resolution of support in applications for funding to acquire agricultural easements. The Hilltop sanitary advance is intended to bridge cash flow until anticipated grant dollars arrive.

The meeting concluded with a group photo after the History Month proclamation; commissioners said there will be no work session following the regularly scheduled meeting.