Lisa D. Brown

The Regular Meeting agenda included several action items for approval, such as the payment of bills for a specified period, approval of previous meeting minutes dated January 13, 2026, and approval of a Then and Now Certificate for payment to Miami University. Requisitions over $7,500.00 were presented for approval, including expenditures for Miami University tuition, renewal of GIS software licenses (ESRI, Inc.), firewall licenses (PDI Technologies), CAD2CAD/ProQa interfaces (CentralSquare Technologies LLC), purchase of forward-facing dash cameras for the Fire Department (Samsara, Inc.), and an upgrade/addition to the Police LPR system (Flock Group, Inc.). Business items involved a motion to approve Statutory Resolution 04-2026 to adopt and certify the 2026 Permanent Appropriations and authorize several fund transfers. Another key business item was the motion to advertise a Request for Proposals for a qualified planning firm to conduct a Comprehensive Planning Study for the Cincinnati-Dayton Road and 747 Corridor, which is currently under a development moratorium. Additional business included authorizing disposal of unneeded SCBAs, approving an MOU with The Ohio State University Extension for gardening activities, and approving a License Agreement for a 5K event. The board also planned to advertise for the 2026 Curb Replacement Program, 2026 Storm Water Pipe Replacement Program, and Construction Manager at Risk for Beckett Park West Improvements.

The meeting agenda focused on personnel actions, including the hiring of Brayden Johnson as a full-time Police Officer effective February 2, 2026, and the hiring of Joseph Schulte as Construction Project Manager effective January 5, 2026. Action items included approving payments for bills incurred between November 22, 2025, and December 5, 2025, and reviewing requisitions exceeding $7,500.00 for legal services, engine rebuild, a software subscription renewal, and the purchase of a Chevrolet Silverado. Business items involved setting dates for the 2026 Organizational Meeting and the 2026 Operational Budget Work Session, applying for Police and Fire Grants through OTARMA and MORE, approving the 2026 Temporary Appropriations Resolution, accepting a proposal for professional management services for facilities, approving amendments to professional services agreements (including one with Frost Brown Todd LLP and another with Butler County Board of Commissioners regarding stormwater pipe rehabilitation), voting not to object to a liquor permit transfer, and approving statutory resolutions for declaring a dump truck unfit for use and affirming obligations for the 2026 Butler County Engineer's retracing/striping and paving programs.

The work session focused on the 2013 Operational Budget, addressing continued themes such as reduced revenue streams from a declining economy and managing escalating infrastructure costs. Discussion covered revenue projections, noting an anticipated 2.0% reduction in property values and the complete elimination of Tangible Personal Property Tax revenue in 2013, as well as budgeting without Estate Tax revenue. The session detailed budgetary practices, including underestimating revenues and conservative expense forecasting, to maintain fiscal solvency and support a sustainable infrastructure plan. Departmental presentations highlighted 'bridge year strategies' implemented in 2012 and proposed for 2013, including leveraging assets, collaborative purchasing, and efficiency improvements across General Fund, Roads and Maintenance Funds, Community Services, Fire and EMS, and Police operations to offset revenue shortfalls. Specific departmental discussions included General Fund carryover management, Fire Department cost controls, and strategies for the Police levy to sustain its projected five-year term despite reduced collections.

The meeting included the election of officers and a proclamation recognizing "Live the Dream: Our Declaration of Unity." Personnel actions involved the hiring of two Administrative Professionals. Key action items included setting the 2026 meeting dates and approving bill payments for late December 2025. Requisitions over $7,500 were presented for approval across Administration, CIT, Fire, Police, and Services departments, covering items such as agent fees for property purchase, furniture, software licenses, equipment repair, and streaming services. Business items focused on appointing Trustees to various regional boards and committees, including the Butler County E911 Planning Committee, the OKI Board of Directors, the BCEMA Advisory Council, and the BCFA Committee of 17. Further business involved approving a resolution for additional 2026 temporary appropriations, appointing a member to the West Chester JEDD I Board, approving an economic development advisory services agreement with Gibraltar Development Corporation, appointing a member to the Butler County Land Bank, continuing township volunteer services, appointing members to the Volunteer Firefighters' Dependents Board, addressing a liquor permit non-objection, applying for playground grant funding, and adopting a 35 mph speed limit on Interocean Drive. A resolution was also approved establishing the Rules of Conduct for Trustee Meetings and dispensing with the second reading under emergency declaration.

The meeting agenda included a session for Executive Session and Citizen's Comments. Personnel items involved the hiring of five new career Firefighters (Gabriel Cain, Brayden DiMuzio, Jackson McGowan, Rylie Abrams, and Tyler Hoehn), effective October 6, 2025, and the promotion of Detective Lukas Gobell to Sergeant, effective September 24, 2025. Action items included motions to approve the payment of bills for the period of August 23, 2025, through September 19, 2025, and to approve the Minutes of the September 9, 2025, Trustee Meeting. Requisitions over $7,500.00 were presented, covering the purchase of 25 computers and 10 monitors for CIT, various vehicle repairs and purchases for the Fire and Police departments, and wireless headset systems for Fire. Business items included motions to advertise an RFP for Operation and Management Services for the West Chester Baseball Complex, declare surplus items for disposal, and approve a contract for Architectural and Engineering Services for the Beckett Park West Expansion project. Resolutions included the second reading approval of Resolution 26-2025 concerning a Major Change to the Keefe; Tract 2; Wetherington Pointe SP-PUD, and the emergency approval of Resolution 28-2025 to accept the material terms of the OneOhio subdivision settlement.