Clermont County renews USI Services contract for benefits brokerage, rejects animal shelter bids and plans to rebid after scope reduction

At its March 24, 2025 meeting the Clermont County Board of Commissioners approved a one‑year renewal with USI Services LLC for benefits broker and consulting services and voted to reject all bids for an animal shelter outdoor kennel expansion after bids substantially exceeded the architect's estimate.

Teresa Igoe, benefits coordinator for Clermont County employees, recommended the renewal of the business associate agreement between the County and USI Services LLC of Cincinnati, Ohio. Igoe said the agreement was originally executed April 28, 2021, renewed May 13, 2024, and that the item approved was the second optional 12‑month renewal for the period June 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026, for an annual amount not to exceed $75,000. Igoe said the renewal is submitted pursuant to and in compliance with Ohio Revised Code section 307.86(F). A motion to approve was made and seconded; the board approved the renewal on a roll call vote with Commissioners Corcoran, Bachelor and Painter voting yes.

On the animal shelter outdoor kennel expansion (4025 Filager Road, Batavia), staff recommended rejecting all bids received Jan. 9, 2025, because the bids exceeded the architect's construction estimate by more than 20 percent in accordance with Ohio Revised Code section 153.12. County staff reported the architect's estimate was $116,000. Staff said the lowest base bid received was roughly $355,000 and that, with alternates, total bid amounts approached $427,000–$433,000.

County staff told the board they plan to reduce project scope and seek cost savings by switching to welded prefabricated kennels, reducing the planned additional outdoor kennel count and amending the architect's contract before rebidding. Staff said they originally planned for about 60 extra kennels but determined the indoor kennel capacity is about 50 and revised the outside‑kennel need; the team said the current plan is to install 30 additional kennels. Staff also said an amendment to the architect's contract will be required before going back out to bid. Commissioners indicated they would like the project completed in the spring and summer of 2025.

Both nonconsent items were approved by motion and roll call vote; commissioners recorded “yes” votes for each item. No contractor awards for the animal shelter expansion were made at the meeting.