Washington Court House City Council adopts NatureWorks grant application, confirms Civil Service appointment; places two resolutions on first reading

The Washington Court House City Council voted unanimously to adopt two resolutions and heard committee and city reports at its meeting.

Councilors voted to adopt Resolution R22-2026, authorizing City Manager Joseph J. Den to apply for NatureWorks funding and to accept grant obligations if the application is successful. The measure was placed on second reading and adopted by roll call (ayes recorded from all present council members). The NatureWorks program supports parks and outdoor recreation projects, and council discussion focused on enabling the administration to pursue the grant opportunity.

The council also adopted Resolution R23-2026, confirming the city manager’s appointment of Larry Milstead to the Civil Service Commission to fill a vacancy through Dec. 31, 2028. The vote on the confirmation likewise passed unanimously by roll call.

Councilors placed two additional resolutions on first reading. Resolution R25-2026 would support nomination of U.S. Census tract 390479261000 in Fayette County for designation as an Ohio Opportunity Zone and authorize submission of the council’s support to the Ohio Department of Development. Resolution R26-2026 would authorize the city manager to enter into a pre‑July 1994 residential Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) agreement with JLB1 Properties LTB and D.R. Horton Indiana LLC and approve related materials; the council voted to place both items on first reading, recording affirmative roll-call responses.

The meeting opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by routine approvals of the June 10 regular meeting minutes and minutes from a June 22 special session.

The Service, Safety & Recreation committee report, read by committee leadership and submitted by Mrs. Kelly Ford, summarized recent operational items and personnel activity. The committee reported two new patrol hires (Rashawn Burns and Jordan Vice) and the hiring of Emily Boeter as a dispatcher. The committee noted an OVI checkpoint to be conducted with the Ohio State Patrol in late July (dates not yet specified), an ongoing investigation into a garage fire that may have involved a lithium battery, the start of the Safety Town summer program, planned fireworks inspections ahead of the July 3 “Fire in the Sky” event, and routine school fire inspections. Service Director Lance Heath’s report included cemetery maintenance, splash‑pad upkeep in Washington Park, downtown lighting and speaker improvements, lift‑station repairs at Hills Pet Nutrition, street and alley paving preparation, and an open vacancy on the Historic District Review Board.

An unnamed city official gave a broad report of city activities and projects, thanking volunteers and staff and highlighting recent investments and grants. The official said the city has selected a new fire chief and that a change‑of‑command ceremony is scheduled for next Tuesday. The official also noted work on pickleball courts, additional dog‑park equipment to be installed by Hills Pet Care, an AARP grant to improve a trail connection at Crisen Park to the Commission on Aging, a two‑year water‑extension project near Hawthorne, and satisfaction with recent paving work on Elm Street. “These projects strengthen the quality of life in our community and support the long‑term well‑being of our residents,” the official said.

There were no public commenters at the meeting.

Votes at a glance
R22‑2026 (NatureWorks grant application): Adopted by roll call (all present voted yes). Outcome: approved. R23‑2026 (confirm Larry Milstead to Civil Service Commission, term to Dec. 31, 2028): Adopted by roll call (all present voted yes). Outcome: approved. R25‑2026 (opportunity‑zone support): Placed on first reading; roll call recorded affirmative responses. R26‑2026 (CRA agreement with JLB1 Properties and D.R. Horton Indiana LLC): Placed on first reading; roll call recorded affirmative responses.

What’s next
The two first‑reading resolutions (R25‑2026 and R26‑2026) will return to council for further consideration at subsequent meetings; the administration may pursue the NatureWorks grant if funding requirements are satisfied. The city’s change‑of‑command for the new fire chief is scheduled for next Tuesday, according to the city report.

(Reporting based solely on the council transcript. Details such as the OVI checkpoint dates and some project timelines were reported as not yet specified.)