County staff and residents discuss Cincinnati Water Works request to serve four parcels on Cox Smith Road; board to add territory‑release resolution to consent

County water and sewer officials and residents on March 8 discussed a request from Cincinnati Water Works to serve four parcels on Cox Smith Road in Union Township and the related pre‑annexation agreements required by the City of Mason.

Chris Brauch, with the Warren County Water and Sewer Department, said Cincinnati Water Works asked to serve four parcels—three with houses and one vacant—along Cox Smith Road and that the parcels are either contiguous to or across the street from the City of Mason. "We have before us a request from Cincinnati Waterworks to serve 4 parcels on Cox Smith Road," Brauch told the commissioners. He explained earlier agreements released adjoining parcels and that Cincinnati Water Works requires property owners to sign a pre‑annexation agreement as a condition of service.

Commissioners and staff described the financial and long‑term consequences the pre‑annexation agreements impose on property owners: property owners would be required to pay tap‑in and lateral costs, pay engineering and legal costs to complete annexation within a specified period after notice, bring structures up to city building‑code standards at their expense, and pay an elevated user rate until annexation is completed. County counsel and commissioners noted homeowners would also be subject to the City of Mason payroll (earnings) tax once annexed unless exempt and that Mason applies a real estate tax for fire/EMS services.

Several homeowners attended and spoke. Sam Luddings, who said he lives at 477 Coxsmith, described that the water line runs 75 feet from his front door and that he and neighbors initiated the request because they need reliable water. Don Gepper, a neighbor, also spoke in support of seeking water service. Commissioners emphasized they invited residents so they could hear the owners' concerns and ensure full disclosure of costs and annexation consequences.

County staff said Cincinnati Water Works is drafting an agreement and that the county's existing master agreement with Cincinnati Water Works expires at the end of the year; a draft of a new agreement is expected in roughly a month. Commissioners directed staff to put a resolution releasing the territory for service onto the consent agenda at the next meeting rather than take an immediate vote.

No formal action to release territory was voted at this meeting; staff will return with the agreement and a proposed resolution for formal adoption.