Morrow County commissioners endorse State Issue 2 to renew capital improvement program

The Morrow County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt a resolution urging voters to approve State Issue 2, the renewal of the State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP). Commissioners said SCIP has provided long-term grants and loan assistance for local roads, bridges, wastewater and stormwater projects and that renewal is needed to avoid a gap in state-local infrastructure funding when current authorization ends on July 1, 2025.

The resolution, read into the record by a county official, notes that SCIP has funded projects across Ohio for nearly 40 years and has provided more than $7 billion for improvements that benefit motorists, first responders and local utilities. The board said Morrow County has benefitted from SCIP grants and that renewal will not raise taxes but will continue the state-local partnership that funds local infrastructure improvements.

Commissioners Mason, Abraham and Siegfried voted yes on the motion to adopt the resolution. A county official said the board can provide a list of local projects funded by SCIP for anyone interested.

The resolution frames the vote on the May ballot as a renewal of a program the board described as critical to maintaining county infrastructure and supporting local economic development. The board did not take additional action beyond adopting the resolution; outreach or campaign activity beyond the formal resolution was not described during the meeting.

The board’s adoption of the resolution is intended to place the county’s official support on the public record ahead of the statewide vote.