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Clermont County commissioners approve payments, utility transfer and settlements; opt out of Kroger opioid deal
Summary
At its Oct. 9 meeting the Clermont County Board of Commissioners approved routine vendor payments totaling $2.32 million, accepted transfer of Batavia's water/wastewater system to the county, approved several contracts and settlements, and voted to opt out of the Kroger opioid‑litigation settlement.
Clermont County commissioners on Oct. 9 approved a set of routine and substantive measures: vendor payments of $2,320,439.63, a resolution transferring the Village of Batavia’s water and wastewater systems to county control, a small contract change order, two settlement agreements and the county’s decision to opt out of a proposed Kroger settlement tied to the National Prescription Opiate Litigation.
The board adopted Resolution No. 125.2‑24 to pay vendors $2,320,439.63 and authorized the auditor to issue warrants pursuant to "section 319.16, the Ohio Revised Code." The vote was recorded by roll call and approved unanimously.
On utilities, the board approved Resolution No. 126‑24 accepting transfer of ownership and responsibility for the Village of Batavia’s water and sewer collection systems to the Clermont County Water Resources Department, effective Oct. 9, 2024. Staff said village customers will move from monthly to bimonthly billing and estimated customer bills could be reduced by about 47 percent under the county rate structure.
A change order to a previously approved public‑improvement project with Cincinnati Lift Truck & Battery increased the contract by $580 to a total of $99,955; the board approved the amendment. The board also approved a supplemental appropriation into the 2023 special assessment bond fund for $12,000 to make a scheduled payment.
The board added and approved two settlement agreements as add‑ons. The first resolves claims in Clermont County Common Pleas cases 2023 CVE01425 and 2024 CVE549 (the parties include Keith Dale Hayden); the prosecutor was authorized to execute documents necessary to effectuate the settlement. The second item presented a proposed settlement with Kroger Company related to the multi‑district opioid litigation (MDL No. 2804). After discussion, commissioners voted to opt out of the Kroger settlement; the prosecutor explained that a "yes" vote would accept the settlement terms and a "no" vote would opt out.
On employee benefits, the board considered a 2025 participation agreement with the County Employee Benefits Consortium (SEBCO) for administration of medical and prescription plans. Staff read the agreement and the board initially approved it, later rescinded that action to correct the agenda language, and then re‑approved the corrected agreement covering Jan. 1, 2025 through Dec. 31, 2027; Commissioner Painter recorded an abstention on the re‑vote.
Other business included standard organizational changes (adding a contract‑manager position in the Community Economic Development Department) and the formal request to enter executive session under Ohio Revised Code provisions to discuss personnel and pending litigation; the board reported returning from executive session with no action taken.
Votes at a glance (selected): vendor payments $2,320,439.63 — approved; Batavia utility transfer (Res. 126‑24) — approved; change order (Cincinnati Lift Truck & Battery) +$580 to $99,955 — approved; settlement with Keith Hayden — approved; Kroger opioid settlement — board voted to opt out; SEBCO participation agreement — re‑approved (Painter abstained); adoption‑fee reduction for dogs (Res. 127‑24) — approved.
The board adjourned after approving the agenda items and add‑ons.
