Clermont commissioners approve multiple routine resolutions, HUD grants and a road vacation; several items set for future public hearing

Clermont County commissioners on April 2 approved a package of vendor payments, local contracts and federal grant agreements and adopted a resolution to vacate portions of Laramie Lane and Wobold Lane in Union Township.

The board adopted multiple measures by roll call, approved the county's Community Development Block Grant and HOME grant agreements with HUD, authorized final contract payments and set new dates for a separate road‑vacation viewing and public hearing related to the Glen Estee/Withamsville roundabout project.

Why it matters: The approved HUD grant agreements provide the county with formula program funding for community development and housing partnership activities; the sewer and water contract actions and easement approvals clear legal and payment steps for local infrastructure work. The road‑vacation resolution modifies public right‑of‑way and reallocates small parcels to adjacent owners under state law.

Most important votes and outcomes

- Payment approval (Resolution 30125): The board authorized payment to vendors totaling $1,564,538.27 and directed the county auditor to issue warrants pursuant to Ohio Revised Code section 319.16. Roll call: Corcoran—Yes; Bachelor—Yes; Painter—Yes. Outcome: approved.

- Clermont County 911 plan (Resolution 032-25): The board approved the county's 911 plan as acted on by the 911 program review committee in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code. Roll call: Corcoran—Yes; Bachelor—Yes; Painter—Yes. Outcome: approved.

- Request to ODOT to reduce speed limit on Old State Route 32 (Resolution 033-25): The board resolved to request a state review of posted speeds on Old State Route 32 between Bronk Road and 0.48 miles east of Afton Elk Lake. Roll call: Corcoran—Yes; Bachelor—Yes; Painter—Yes. Outcome: approved (request filed with Ohio Department of Transportation).

- Cook Road bridge retainage release (contract final payment): The board accepted the contract completion for the Cook Road bridge replacement (W E Smith Construction) and authorized final payment and release of retainage of $14,717.80 plus accrued interest. Roll call: Corcoran—Yes; Bachelor—Yes; Painter—Yes. Outcome: approved.

- HUD grant agreements (Community Development Block Grant B-24-UC-39-0010 for $1,017,399; HOME grant M24UC390223 for $494,408.90): The board authorized execution of both grant agreements with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, covering the fiscal periods stated in the agreements. Roll call: Corcoran—Yes; Bachelor—Yes; Painter—Yes. Outcome: approved.

- Second amendment to sanitary sewer services agreement with Hamilton County (Resolution 034-25): The board authorized a second amendment that reclassifies three Mount Carmel Road properties from the county's retail service area into a wholesale service area so Hamilton County/Cincinnati sewer infrastructure will be billed via flow meters to Hamilton County. Commissioners confirmed the same per‑thousand‑gallon sewer rate will apply. Roll call: Corcoran—Yes; Bachelor—Yes; Painter—Yes. Outcome: approved.

- Acceptance of permanent water easements for Branchhill‑Miamiville Road water main replacement: The board accepted the permanent easement conveyances required for the project and authorized payment to grantors. Roll call: Corcoran—Yes; Bachelor—Yes; Painter—Yes. Outcome: approved.

- Supplemental appropriation for Microsoft Teams licensing (Telecommunications account, $649,320): The board approved an appropriation increase in the telecommunication services account to cover Microsoft Teams licensing. Roll call: Corcoran—Yes; Bachelor—Yes; Painter—Yes. Outcome: approved.

- Vacation of portions of Laramie Lane (T‑502) and Wobold Lane (T‑858) in Union Township (Resolution 035-25): Following the county engineer's report and a township consent, the board adopted a resolution determining to vacate the specified roadway segments. The record notes existing public utilities will retain permanent easements for access and maintenance. Roll call: Corcoran—Yes; Bachelor—Yes; Painter—Yes. Outcome: approved.

- Consent and regular consent agenda approvals: The board approved a consent agenda that included routine items; all consent items passed by roll call. Outcome: approved.

Other procedural actions

- The board canceled a scheduled 11:15 public hearing on an excess right‑of‑way related to the Glen Estee/Withamsville Road roundabout and established a viewing date of Monday, April 21, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. with the public hearing set for Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.; a legal notice was ordered published for two weeks beginning April 10, 2025. The county's legal advisor, Ryan Spitzer, advised the additional notice and viewing follow Ohio Revised Code procedures for road vacation notice and viewing.

Background and next steps

Board staff said the HUD agreements ratify previously approved FY2024 applications and set the grant periods listed in the agreements. The sewer service amendment transfers three properties into Hamilton County's wholesale service area while the county retains meters and bills Hamilton County for flow. The Laramie/Wobold vacation creates small rectangular parcels that, under Ohio law, vest to adjoining property owners and reduces Union Township's bridge/mileage reimbursement by the vacated length.

The board will reconvene for the posted viewing and the April 23 hearing in the commissioner's office at 101 East Main Street, Batavia, Ohio.

Votes at a glance: see the above list for each item and the recorded roll calls.