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Residents press Clark County commissioners over proposed public safety building site, ethics and funding
Summary
At a March 4 work session in Springfield residents raised ethics and environmental concerns about a proposed public safety building site; commissioners said zoning review is pending, the county has a $4 million state grant, and they plan a phased build while seeking further funding.
Residents at a March 4 Clark County work session raised objections to a proposed public safety building site, questioned commissioners’ relationships with the site’s landowner, and pressed officials for clearer timelines and funding details.
Marti Auckerman (Springfield Township) told the board she was concerned about perceived connections between elected officials and the landowner under consideration. Auckerman said she was troubled by earlier statements and asked whether the commission had undisclosed ties to the property owner; Commissioner Sasha L. Rittenhouse replied that she knew the landowner and denied hiding the relationship, saying she had known him "for probably 10 years" and asserted she had "no reason to lie about that or try to hide it."
Why it matters: the county is evaluating locations and funding for a new public safety complex intended to replace the existing jail. Commissioners described structural and financial constraints: the county did not receive an earlier $10 million state funding possibility, Patterson said, but has been awarded $4 million in state grant funds; Greene County received $16 million. Patterson said because the county lacks sufficient immediate funds the plan is to secure a site and pursue a phased construction approach, which could increase total costs.
Speakers and participants also raised practical concerns about the proposed site. Diana Daniels said the parcel has deteriorated and worried about traffic and access; commissioners said a transportation study and geotechnical work would follow only if the required zoning change is approved. Daniels also noted trees and a retention pond on the property and asked about remediation plans.
On inmate counts and detention pressure, commissioners said court-reported numbers are available and that the jail population reached COVID-era lows of about 140–160 inmates; Rittenhouse said the county's average is "generally around 190." Patterson noted state changes requiring counties to house certain felony sentences have increased local incarceration burdens without full state funding, creating an unfunded mandate.
What happened procedurally: commissioners said the proposed site must still clear city zoning before the county proceeds with transportation, geotechnical and expansion analysis. No formal zoning or purchase decision was made at the work session. Commissioner Charles A. Patterson moved to adjourn; Commissioner Richard L. Lohnes seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
What happens next: if zoning approval occurs the county plans transportation and geo studies, pursue additional state and federal funding, and evaluate phased construction options.
