With upcoming budget negotiations it might be worth taking a look at the county cash balances for similar dates over the last four years.  File 4 has Brenda White advising the Investment Advisory Board that she has the most money ever as Treasurer “We have $16 million”.

September 27, 2013: $3,634,682.15

September 28, 2012: $3,706,584.87

September 29, 2011: $3,917,243.68

September 30, 2010: $2,767,843.56

File 5 has a short discussion on the Stateline market feasibility study.  As mentioned here the proposed best use for the area was for another hotel and the second best use was for a small strip mall.  Together or by themselves none of these would appear to justify the $3 – 5 million expense of water and sewer being run to the area from New Paris.  I know there have been claims of interest in the area by other entities but the strength of that interest is suspect.

There needs to be further clarification in writing that Richmond is not interested in running sewer lines for such a project. Richmond water and sewer currently service both the Fairfield Inn and Petro which are in Preble County. 

This $12,500 study appears to be a stark contrast to the Buxton Study done a few years ago by Richmond/Wayne County for $50,000. That study identified the area directly across the Stateline on the Indiana side as the best area for development in Richmond & Wayne County, Indiana. A discussion on a proposed project can be read here or you can watch a video of what is called East Side Village.  Last year that project received a $500,000 guarantee from the Mayor of Richmond but ran into a buzz saw of negative PR this year when the developers asked for another $300,000. That project is also within sight of both the Fairfield Inn and Petro truck stop as it is just to the west of the current Quality Inn in Richmond. Richmond & Wayne County collect a 1% EDIT (economic development income tax) that has brought in north of 43 million dollars and there is public debate on what the taxed public has to show for it. Ironically the video shows a fictional "Target" store on a sign by Rt. 40. The reports in the Pal Item that I have read claimed that there is no current commitment from Target or anyone else. Some years ago, Target had an option to buy on the Archway Campground property on the Ohio side of the line. That option was contingent on a proposed "Sam's Club" being built on the old Stateline Truck stop property and that never happened a recession did. The use of public funds to attract retail development that may negatively impact other current businesses is an additional debate that has been the subject of reader posts on the online Pal Item. The Sears store recently closed, many believe JC Penny may follow and leave a three anchor store mall with only one anchor on the rear of the building away from sight lines of traffic on Rt. 40.

An additional concern that I have is how a yet to be built biodiesel "transfer" facility at the abandoned truck wash on the Southside of Rt. 40 would impact future traffic patterns and retail development on the Ohio side. Project JT was a topic at the January 18, 2012, Preble County Commission meeting. The last I heard the manufacturing element of that project was no longer in the five year plan. At the slow speed the project is moving the transfer station may not make the five year plan. I can remember a former Commissioner mentioning studies that claimed many people avoid exits with large numbers of trucks. A high volume of truck traffic was an issue at Goose Creek. My impression on the initial development interest from the Jefferson Township Trustees was they were thinking light industrial or manufacturing for the area (better paying jobs) which would alleviate some of the truck traffic issues that may impact retail development.

The state of Ohio and Preble County need to take a look at policies that create such contrasts with development and some of those can be laid at the feet of the previous Preble County Commission. If this recent study is accurate then it also once again calls into question the far more expensive proposed development that had been a focus for years at Goose Creek where the county has yet to seal the water wells of what is supposed to be a defunct project. The state of Ohio has been trailing the national average in job creation for 14 consecutive months.

File 6 has an interesting discussion on Electric Aggregation with Bill Bradish in once again. I’ll say again; if you live in an area that is not served by a rural electric co-op or one that has not already signed on then your local leadership needs to get moving on this. Savings of 40% are mentioned for DP&L areas.

File 7 has mention of the County Commission receiving a check for $37,000 from the Port Authority agreement with Warren County  for the Pratt Industry expansion at Lewisburg. This expansion has been covered by many but not the local paper.

 

Preble County Commissioners

September 30, 2013

Three Commissioners in attendance

File 1

I. OPEN MEETING

II. CALL OF ROLL

III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

IV. PRAYER

V. PUBLIC COMMENTS

VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

NOTE RECEIPT OF & CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING THE JOURNALIZATION & NOTE RECEIPT OF THE CD RECORDATION BOTH AS THE OFFICIAL MINUTES FOR THE SEPTEMBER 25, 2013 REGULAR SESSION MEETING

PUBLIC COMMENTS  Kyle Cross BIKE ROUTE DESIGNATION

Mentions an email from a Mr. Harmon sp? that Kyle forwarded to Connie. He was requesting a resolution of support from the Preble County Commission for a bike path. Rt. 50 bike path… Listen to the audio. Mention of a map through Preble County using existing roadways as a designated route. No financial obligation from Preble. Picks up the Wolf Creek bike route in Montgomery County. This would not be a Rails to Trails.

RESOLUTION 568 approved. 3 – 0

8 Minute mark   VII. APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS

NOTE RECEIPT OF & CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING THE VOUCHERS AS SUBMITTED BY THE COUNTY AUDITOR

8.41 minutes – 1.99MB

File 2

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

A. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #557-13-162

RE: AUTH. EXPENDITURE – $12,500.00 TO OBTAIN AN OPERATING LICENSE FOR THE PREBLE CO. SANITARY LANDFILL FOR THE YEAR 2014

B. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #558-13-162

RE: AUTH PAYMENT – HELP ME GROW ($6,244.21)

C. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #559-13-162

RE: TRANSFER – CHILD. SVS.

CORRESPONDENCE & REPORTS

A. NOTE RECEIPT OF & APPROVE BY SIGNING A LETTER TO THE PAYROLL CLERK

RE: PROBATIONARY RATE ADJUSTMENT FOR BARBARA REHMERT – JFS $13.99 to $14.69 per hour

TRAVEL

NOTE RECEIPT OF & CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING TRAVEL REQUESTS:

A. RES. #560-13-162- DAVID ANDERSON – LEPC Cost not to exceed $168

B. RES. #561-13-162 – CHARLIE BIGGS – LEPC Cost not to exceed $168

C. RES. #562-13-162 – ALICIA FIDLER – SPECIAL PROJECTS CT. TRAINING Cost not to exceed $354.60

D. RES. #563-13-162 – BETH WRIGHT – RECYCLING NO COST TO THE COUNTY

E. RES. #564-13-162 – MICHAEL SPITLER – SHERIFF FOJ NO COST TO THE COUNTY

F. RES. #565-13-162 – MICHAEL SPITLER – SHERIFF FOJ NO COST TO THE COUNTY

G. RES. #566-13-162 – JOE RENNER – SHERIFF FOJ Cost not to exceed $45

H. RES. #567-13-162 – JAMIE GARRETT – SHERIFF FOJ Cost not to exceed $45

14 Minute mark   Connie – Here is your report from Mindy. (Posted below)

$735,312.78 receipts over expenditures.

CFPC CASH BALANCE COMPARISON WITH PAST YEARS:

September 27, 2013: $3,634,682.15

September 28, 2012: $3,706,584.87

September 29, 2011: $3,917,243.68

This product becomes more safe and effective as by a combination of risk factors such as high blood pressure condition can degrade our life qualities up to great extent therefore this should be treated effectively in order to be prohibited from all the (order cialis) bought this possible malfunctions and need to be restricted at the level that has been advised by the physicians for that disease.
September 30, 2010: $2,767,843.56

 

14 minute mark on cd  

5.26 minutes – 1.24 MB

File 3

Connie mentions that she will be sending the budget letter next Monday.

18.5 Minute mark   Discussion on "Indirect costs" and having Jill speak with departments. Also mentions second paragraph on page 2 – last sentence could be removed.

Budgets to be reviewed midyear next year – (Salary line item).

Sheriff negotiations coming up.

Listen to the audio

23.5 Minute mark   Connie – I guess that is all I have at this point.

Commissioner Wesler discusses electric aggregation and communities being on different plans. Would like to see it all consistent. Bill Bradish coming in. Dave talked with Tom Stroop.

Discussion on issue – listen to the audio.

28 Minute mark   Commissioner Robertson mentions a letter about First Energy – leaves to pull it up on the computer.

28.5 minute mark on cd  

14.31 minutes – 3.32 MB

File 4

BRENDA WHITE – INVESTMENT ADVISORY BOARD

Last meeting was March 6.

Listen to the audio.

Low interest rates. Doesn't use Star if she doesn't have to.

More money invested now than she has ever had as Treasurer – mention "we have $16 million".

Commissioner Day attended the AppleFest.

32.5 minute mark on cd  

4.09 minutes – 974 KB

File 5

Commissioner Robertson reports the Stateline market feasibility study is in.

Had a meeting with Shawnda, Rick Van Winkle & Bill Sweet. Two meetings. Best use was listed as hotel (there are already nine in the area) second best use listed was a small strip mall. Not encouraged.

Second meeting was just Shawnda, Denise and a guy who talked about light industrial use. There is a recording. This guy was more encouraging but best use was hospitality & strip mall.

Listen to the audio.

34 Minute mark   Oxford free clinic discussion where 25% come from Eaton/Preble County. Discussion on having one in Eaton.

37 Minute mark   Connie reports that about 160 people came through for the tire event at Fair grounds. Filled up three semi trailers. Probably could have filled up three more – 90 person waiting list.

RECESS

38 minute mark on cd  

5.31 minutes – 1.26 MB

File 6

BILL BRADISH, PALMER ENERGY – ELECTRIC AGGREGATION UPDATE

Extended discussion on issue.  

48 Minute mark   Natural gas program discussion. 55 counties participating.

53 Minute mark   Allen County (Lima) put electric aggregation on a countywide ballot. Clinton County (Wilmington) also. Would only apply to unincorporated areas without rural electric.

1 hr.  .5 Minute mark   Savings of 40% are being seen in the DP&L area for those that have electric aggregation.

1 hr.  1 minute mark on cd  

23 minutes – 5.26 MB

File 7

Connie – We received our $37,500 from the Port Authority on the Pratt Industry project. Received in the morning and will go out to the Partnership.

Commissioner Robertson sees this as one step closer to the Partnership not needing taxpayer money.

Commissioner Day mumbles something that cannot be made out.

1 hr.  4.25 Minute mark   Denise asks if they will be discussing the EMA position. Chris has to talk to Dave.

1 hr.  8 minute mark on cd  

7 minutes – 1.6 MB

File 8

MARTY VOTEL & BRENDA MILLER – VOCA GRANT

Received the same money as last year, $21,000 +. VOCA

1 hr.  14.75 Minute mark   Commissioner Wesler moves to adjourn.

ADJOURN

1 hr.  17.2 minute mark on cd  

9.08 minutes – 2.09 MB