Clermont County commissioners approve routine budget and contract measures as residents press county on past contamination and mental‑health gaps

The Clermont County Board of Commissioners on June 10 approved a slate of routine financial and contract actions — including vendor payments, a jail‑diversion grant addendum and a bridge rehabilitation contract — while members of the public urged the board to address alleged past contamination, gaps in mental‑health care and preparations for looming federal benefit cuts.

Public commenters raised several urgent concerns during the allotted two‑minute public‑comment period. Chris Hicks, a resident, alleged the county was involved in a 2018 matter he described as contaminating drinking water and said a $750,000 contribution was made to an organization he called "Connect Claremont." Hicks said he provided the commissioners a packet and that an official at Duke Energy told him, "Well, we've given 750,000." He urged the board to review the materials he submitted.

Another resident, identified only as Jessica of Milford, addressed Commissioner David Painter directly about local mental‑health services, saying she was recently hospitalized after a suicide attempt and encountered "overworked nurses" and staff who she said "just wanted me out." She told the board, "Mr. Painter, you are such a proponent for mental health. Where's our county support?" Jen Maza Kelly of Union Township warned that pending cuts to SNAP and Medicaid could begin hitting in October and urged county planning beyond ad‑hoc food boxes.

On formal business, the board unanimously approved a motion to adopt Resolution 074‑26 authorizing vendor payments as presented and directed the county auditor to issue warrants under Ohio Revised Code section 319.16. Jamie Lutson of Municipal Adult Probation described a subsidy grant addendum under the Community Corrections Act that increases the jail‑diversion grant by $44,400, producing a revised grant amount stated on the record; the board approved the addendum with no local match for the stated grant period.

The board also awarded the Spring Grove Road Bridge Rehabilitation Project (Tate Township) to DDK Construction of Cincinnati for the lowest bid read into the record — $463,560 — with a project completion date of Nov. 20, 2026. Joel Gross, director of the Water Resources Department, asked the board to accept the Branch Hill–Miamiville Road water‑main replacement project as complete and to approve final payment and the release of retainage; the board granted acceptance and authorized payment as presented.

Commissioners approved a request (Resolution 076‑26) asking the Ohio director of transportation to reduce the posted speed limit on a section of Loveland‑Miamiville Road in Miami Township; they also approved a county appointment to the County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAO) energy‑purchasing program and several internal budget transfers and supplemental appropriations, including an $800,000 supplemental for children services juvenile expenses and adjustments to prosecutor and public‑defender payroll lines.

Commissioner Bonnie Bachelor disclosed she serves as vice chair of the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission and abstained from a vote on Resolution 077‑26 to endorse the commission's comprehensive economic development strategy and to authorize Clermont County's participation and payment of the participatory share read into the record. The remaining commissioners approved the endorsement.

The board moved into executive session under Ohio Revised Code section 121.22(G)(1) to consider the employment of public employees and later returned, stating no action or decision was made in executive session. Ursula Miller, the county communications coordinator, briefed the board on upcoming America 250 events and a Sept. 15 ceremony for a Revolutionary War veterans monument at Union Township Veterans Park. Commissioner Payner announced a June 30 groundbreaking for the Veterans Village project.

The meeting record shows the board handled its business largely by motion and roll call votes, with most items passing by unanimous or near‑unanimous votes. Public speakers pressed the board on accountability and social‑service planning; none of the public allegations produced an on‑the‑record staff response or board action during the meeting.

The board adjourned after approving the day's agenda items. The next regular meeting was scheduled for the following week.