Council asks staff to draft legislation supporting proposed MVCC–Maveca merger

MORAINE, Ohio — Moraine council members voted Thursday to ask staff to prepare legislation supporting a proposed merger between the Miami Valley Communications Council (MVCC) and the Miami Valley Educational Computer Association (Maveca), a union that presenters said would form an umbrella council of governments to preserve long‑term services.

Why it matters: Council was told the two organizations provide shared services — including a tactical crime suppression unit, GovTech city‑manager collaboration, professional training, and shared IT infrastructure — that benefit Moraine and neighboring jurisdictions. Staff said both organizations face funding pressure; MVCC relies in part on franchise‑fee revenue that is shrinking as cable subscriptions decline.

City Manager (presenting the item) described a strategic‑planning initiative in which MVCC and Maveca leadership proposed creating a new umbrella COG (presented in the meeting as the Miami Valley Technology and Communications Group, MBTCG in the presentation) that would leave MVCC and Maveca operating under the umbrella while consolidating back‑office functions and assets. The presentation said the new structure could preserve services and produce savings by leveraging Maveca’s IT infrastructure, located in Yellow Springs, and by folding existing facilities and staff into the new entity.

Council discussion focused on continuity of services, board structure and staffing: staff said the existing MVCC board is composed of eight member communities (including Moraine, Kettering, Centerville, Springboro, Miamisburg, West Carrollton, Oakwood and Germantown) and that those eight communities would be required to pass enabling legislation to support the merger. The presentation said the new umbrella board would retain separate MVCC and Maveca boards and that the entities would continue to deliver services under the new governance structure.

Outcome and next steps: Council member moved and the council approved a motion requesting staff draft legislation to support the merger. No ordinance adopting the merger was voted at this meeting; staff will prepare legislation and present it for future council consideration.

Discussion versus decision: The council’s motion requested preparation of legislation (direction to staff). Council did not enact merger legislation or change governance at this meeting.