Plans for a proposed campus in Batavia that would replace outdated buildings and outdoor storage for County Engineer’s Office Highway Operations and Clermont County Fleet Maintenance are moving ahead. 

Clermont County Engineer Jeremy Evans requested that the Board of County Commissioners authorize bid advertisements for a 7-acre campus with total building square footage of 74,550. Construction would begin in summer and finish a year later, Evans said in an update to the Commissioners. Commissioners voted to advertise for bids, March 2-April 20.

The first phase of the Filager Campus, planned for across State Route 222 from existing facilities as old as 64 years in Batavia Township, is estimated to cost between $17.5 million and $18.56 million. It would include an enclosed garage for highway operations trucks, space for fleet maintenance and mechanics, a salt barn, a fuel station and covered storage. 

Commissioners authorized a Request for Qualifications (RFQs) for the project on June 30, 2021. Eight RFQs were received and reviewed. On Dec. 6, 2021, the board authorized a contract with Garmann Miller, a design firm. Construction drawings were submitted to Permit Central on Sept. 30, 2022.

A second phase would include demolition and cleanup of existing buildings and construction of office space for the Engineer’s Office and Clermont Transportation Connection.

New housing for workers and seniors at the former Glen Este High School site became a step closer to reality on Feb. 8. 

The Board of County Commissioners authorized the Clermont County Port Authority to issue Multifamily Housing Revenue bonds for Elmington Union Commons. 

Tax-free bonds not to exceed $62 million were approved for a 262-unit Elmington Union Commons multifamily residential project for individuals and families that earn 60 percent or less of area median income. 

Bonds not to exceed $22 million were OK’d for a 126-unit multifamily residential project for seniors (age 55 and over) at Elmington Union Commons.

Nashville, Tenn.-based Elmington Capital, a privately owned commercial estate investment and development firm, is developing the project. Elmington is a national leader in workforce and affordable housing development. It owns over 7,000 workforce and affordable housing units. 

Clermont County Community + Economic Development (CED) hosted local development and administration officials at a quarterly roundtable meeting on Jan. 30 in Batavia. Communities sent officials from their administration, economic development and/or planning/zoning departments. 

The forums were designed to inform local communities about important topics that may affect them, provide opportunities to network and learn from fellow officials, and foster stronger relationships with CED so they may be responsive to needs.

The session covered how bonds can be used for economic development, the broadband initiative and other topics.

Following her election in November, Judge Mary Lynne Birck took the oath of office on Dec. 21 to resume her role as Judge for the Clermont County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division. Judge Stephanie Wyler administered the oath with witness Keri Shelton holding the Bible.

Judge Birck was previously appointed to the Domestic Relations Court by Governor DeWine in December 2020. She served Clermont County as an Assistant Prosecutor prior to her appointment. For the past two years, Judge Birck has overseen several changes in the court, most notably, a remodel of the interior courtroom, lobby, and office areas, and the hiring of three magistrates. Judge Birck worked to establish counseling programs through Child Focus, serving underprivileged children and adults. Under her direction, the Court also planned and conducted a Continuing Legal Education class for attorneys. For the upcoming term, Judge Birck will be active in installing new technologies for the court and undertaking a review of existing court rules and procedures. 

“I am immensely proud of the strides this court has made in the last two years and I am excited for the challenges of the upcoming term," she said. "Continuing to serve the people of Clermont County is a privilege. Ensuring access to our court is paramount.”  

Judge Birck intends for the Mission Statement which is displayed in the Court’s lobby to help the public understand both the work of the Court and the Court’s commitment to public service.  

Guided by the law and principles of equity, the court works:

To promote the care and support of children;

To protect with dignity victims of domestic violence;

To resolve property disputes justly;

To serve respectfully, efficiently, ably, and with compassion.

-Submitted by Rob Barnhorn, Law Clerk 

Mary Prudencio, a longtime Clermont County attorney, was sworn in the Domestic Relations Court’s newest magistrate on Feb. 3, at the court’s Bench Bar Meeting.

Magistrate Prudencio was sworn in by Judge Mary Lynne Birck of the Domestic Relations Court with several family members in attendance. Magistrate Prudencio’s husband held the Bible while she recited the oath and her son held the robe marking her official investiture.  

After the oath of office, Magistrate Prudencio reflected on her new role: “Having worked in Clermont County and specifically with clients in the Domestic Relations Court, I have a unique understanding of the challenges presented both to parties and counsel. Guided by the rule of law, I will strive to administer justice fairly and compassionately.”

While introducing Magistrate Prudencio, Judge Birck remarked that the court was fortunate to have hired someone with “the wealth of experience and respect that Mary has throughout the community.”  

Magistrate Prudencio will begin hearing cases full time after a brief training period.

-Submitted by Rob Barnhorn, Law Clerk

Photo: Magistrate Mary Prudencio, husband Jeff Prudencio holding Bible and Judge Mary Lynne Birck giving the Oath 

The Clermont County Suicide Prevention Coalition was among 22 community-based coalitions across Ohio that won grants from the Ohio Center for Excellence for Behavioral Health Prevention and Promotion to support families dealing with mental and behavioral challenges across Southwest Ohio.

“This funding will allow us to provide broad messaging using various marketing outlets to educate our community about the available resources to help those who are struggling,” said Lee Ann Watson, executive director of the Clermont County Mental Health & Recovery Board. “We hope that this messaging will assist our county residents with connection to help , when help is needed most.”

We need your input! OKI Regional Council of Governments, our region’s Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), is updating the long-term regional transportation and land use plan for 2023. 

This plan includes community opinion to help local experts plan for the future in transportation, land use, housing and other important regional issues. 

Take the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6XH2N67

Throughout the pandemic, SNAP households have received temporary additional benefits, called Emergency Allotments. These additional benefits were authorized as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. All SNAP households have been receiving the maximum benefit amount possible for their household size. Every SNAP household has been receiving at least $95 more per month. On average, households have been receiving $90 per person, per month more in benefits. 

Ohio SNAP households have been receiving these benefits in two separate issuances – one toward the beginning of the month and one toward the end of the month. SNAP benefits will drop for all SNAP households in Ohio starting in March, and households will only receive the benefit amount that is issued toward the beginning of the month. 

SNAP participants can call 1-866-386-3071 to check their benefit amount and their balance or use this website to check that information online. They can also go to JoinProviders.com to download a free smart phone app to track their benefits. If a SNAP participant would like further help navigating their benefits, or to connect to other benefits that can help stretch household income, they can find help here. They can also find other help with food from the Ohio Association of Foodbanks network. 

You can learn more about how these additional benefits helped prevent far worse rates of hunger and food insecurity here. To stay connected to other ways that the Public Health Emergency unwinding will impact Ohioans and their access to public benefits, sign up for the Advocates for Ohio’s Future newsletter and follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

Try some new craft ideas at the Clermont County Public Library this spring:

• Make a clay pendant necklace at the Owensville Branch, 3:30 p.m. March 6.

• Learn or improve your crocheting skills at the Goshen Branch, 6 p.m. March 6.

• Make a mini clay planter at the Williamsburg Branch, 6 p.m. March 7.

• Create button floral picture frame art at the New Richmond Branch, 11 a.m. March 9.

• Kids can make 3D printing cookie cutters at the Bethel Branch, 4 p.m. March 9

• Make a spring wreath at the Batavia Branch, 12 p.m. March 13.

• Make your own granola at the Felicity Branch, 6 p.m. March 14.

• Join our Fiber Arts Club at the Union Township Branch, 6 p.m. March 27.

The annual Spring Litter Clean Up will be held at multiple locations throughout Clermont County on Saturday, April 22.

Event organizers, including the Clermont Soil and Water Conservation District and The Adams-Clermont Solid Waste District, are currently recruiting volunteers to help clear trash and unsightly debris at several parks, waterways and other shared open spaces across the county. Families, individuals, scout groups, and other organizations are encouraged to participate.

All volunteers will be provided with materials for their clean-up activities, including protective gloves, trash bags and litter grabbers. Individuals that request litter cleanup materials will be sent details for supply pick-up in their communities.

Please visit the Spring Litter Clean-up website for more information or to register: www.springlittercleanup.com

For questions or additional information please contact

 Connie Miller at (513) 732-7075 ext. 2 or [email protected]. 

The Clermont County Municipal OVI Court Specialized Docket held its 38th graduation ceremony on Feb. 23. OVI Court Judge Jesse B. Kramig, presided over the ceremony recognizing nine participants who successfully completed the program.

The OVI Court Specialized Docket Program is dedicated to rehabilitating high-risk multiple OVI offenders through a combination of intensive community control supervision, frequent judicial monitoring, cognitive behavioral interventions, and specialized substance use treatment at the Clermont Recovery Center – a division of Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services.

The program also works to reduce long-term jail sentences associated with repeat OVI offenders. The nine participants who graduated entered the program with a combined total of 28 OVI convictions. Their participation in the specialized docket saved the county $126,936 and 1,763 jail bed days.

The Clermont County Municipal OVI Court Specialized Docket began in June 2005, and is certified by the Specialized Docket Section of the Supreme Court of Ohio. Anyone interested in learning more about the Clermont County OVI Court please contact Probation Officer Brian J. Dixon at (513) 732-8142.