Commissioners updated the Utilities Commission on dike maintenance, vegetation removal and related floodplain work.

A commissioner said staff used proceeds from a walnut sale—$21,000 deposited by the auditor—to begin clearing vegetation south of High Street and to expose a long-standing stash of tires on city property. The commission plans to work with the Ohio EPA on tire removal and continue vegetation management.

Commission leadership said they sent a co-signed letter to FEMA seeking inclusion in the Community Rating System, which grades local floodplain management programs and can produce flood-insurance premium discounts if the city earns points. “Our goal is the community rating system … try to get everyone a 5% reduction if we can get through the first round,” a commissioner said.

Staff noted the city does not currently own enough property to fully maintain the dike and that survey work and possible acquisition of a strip of land near the former American National site will be needed to provide access for long-term maintenance.

Commissioners said they will continue vegetation removal, pursue tire removal, and submit required materials for the FEMA rating process; no formal action or budget adoption occurred at the meeting.