Commission endorses recommending Crystal Avenue waterline funding applications to city council

The Mount Vernon Utilities Commission voted to recommend that city council apply for grant funding to extend water service to Crystal Avenue in Clinton Township, asking the county to include the project as an Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) candidate and to pursue Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for households that meet federal income-eligibility criteria. Gary Nunn, meeting chair, described the project as an opportunity to expand service to households on wells that have experienced water-quality issues: "This is a really good opportunity to leverage all of these grants that, we would locally qualify for and make sure that that money gets spread around locally," he said. Staff said the project would target Crystal Avenue only, and that the city would act as the project administrator if the county selects it for OPWC funding; the CDBG component would likely be managed in partnership with the CDC of Ohio, per staff comments. Staff noted an expected minimal customer buy-in (described at the meeting as roughly 5 percent) and said the commission could consider flexibility on tap fees for households that do not qualify for income-based CDBG assistance. Commissioners compared the plan to prior successful projects (the Buckeye project was cited as precedent) and discussed lessons learned — particularly the need to get eligibility and documentation to prospective participants earlier in the process so residents can prove income qualifications in time for grant rules. The commission approved the recommendation by roll call (Sayers: yes; Platt: yes; Reinhart: yes; Busenberg: yes). Staff will draft the formal application and related legislation for city council consideration and coordinate with county trustees and county commissioners on OPWC nomination.