Clinton County commissioners review dispatch year-end report, levy fines on two condemned houses and approve routine contracts

Clinton County commissioners on Jan. 21 received a Central Dispatch year‑end report, approved an engineering agreement for the county’s 2025 CCMG program, and voted to levy higher fines on two vacant properties that county staff previously declared unfit.

Renee Crick, who presented the Central Dispatch report, said dispatchers logged 34,307 calls for service in 2024 and that the center received 13,075 9‑1‑1 calls and handled 24,661 administrative calls. “Our PSAP answer time … 99% of the time, we answer those calls in 10 seconds or less,” Crick said. She told commissioners dispatch sent 1,044 texts and received 70, detailed new training steps for hires and said the office received an $86,798 grant to buy portable radios and laptops. Crick also said the dispatch center adopted Frontline Public Safety Solutions software for training and quality assurance.

The board next addressed two vacant houses that county staff have declared unfit and placed on a condemnation track after failing to resolve septic or safety problems. Liz (county staff presenting a wet‑area/condemnation update) told the board both properties — one at 8938 E. Hillis Street and another at 3175 S. State Road 39 in the Antioch area — previously received the maximum fine of $250 and that the county had sent notices Dec. 18. She said one property owner had previously engaged with the county but provided no plan, while the other is an out‑of‑state owner who has not responded.

After discussion, a commissioner moved that the county levy a $500 fine on the out‑of‑state property (Antioch) and a $250 fine on the Hillisburg property and, if there is no response, forward the matter to the county attorney’s office for lien placement and possible demolition bids. The board approved that motion by a 3‑0 vote.

Highway Department representative Rick Campbell asked commissioners to sign the county’s CCMG 2025 engineering agreement and to review materials for a new bridge inspector contract. Commissioners voted to enter the engineering agreement with Butler, Furman & Seifert for the 2025 CCMG program; the board recorded the motion as approved, 3‑0.

The board also approved a series of routine contracts and payments: two Envoy architect invoices ($11,504.50 and $5,000), a $73,248 quarterly pass‑through payment for Paul Phillipi transportation services, two amendments to the public‑private agreement (PPA) adjusting substantial‑completion dates and reallocating $19,400 into courthouse owner contingency, a credit‑card account agreement for county cardholders, the annual Lucas Fire extinguisher service contract, and a Champions Top Notch Cleaning contract for the Board of Health at $650 per month. Each of those motions carried 3‑0.

Several nonvoting items drew discussion. County Attorney Tom flagged liability language in a proposed safe‑haven baby box agreement and said the vendor would not accept an amendment that would identify and hold the vendor to the same standards as the county; Tom said he would advise caution and recommended further consideration before the county signs the contract. “If you’re not going to do this, then I don’t think we need to put ourselves in harm’s way and risk of any type of liability,” Tom said.

Steven (department head) told commissioners he is preparing a draft independent‑contractor agreement for routine ambulance maintenance and asked whether the board would prefer a department‑level contract or a countywide bid. Commissioners asked Steven to bring a draft agreement back for review.

The board read aloud community‑service grant applications submitted for 2025 — a total of $114,024 requested against a $100,000 budget — and took the applications under advisement for awards at the next meeting. Commissioners also announced liaison assignments for department heads and approved routine claims and payroll items.

The board set its next meeting for Feb. 4.