Warren County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Warren County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Remaining ARPA funds allocation
About $4 million left over from the terminated Altafiber broadband contract needs to be spent by December. The plan: ~$3 million back to the general fund for jail staffing costs and $100,000 to the United Way food bank.
Supplemental appropriations across county funds
Several consent items would move additional money into Sheriff's, Veterans, One Ohio Opioid, Juvenile, Transit, and other funds. These adjustments affect how county services are funded for the rest of the year.
Senior services levy renewal
The 1.21-mill senior levy that funds Council on Aging services is headed for renewal on the November ballot. Commissioners pressed on whether the renewal's effective rate means improved properties pay more while others pay less — and whether the levy keeps building reserves.
2026 CDBG grant awards
About $825,000 in federal block grant money is going to local projects: road and sidewalk work in Franklin, Lebanon, South Lebanon and Butlerville, a tornado siren for Pleasant Plain, a World Cup mini soccer pitch in Morrow, and funding for Family Promise, Safe on Main and the Child Advocacy Center.
Gene therapy exposure on county health plan
The county's self-insured health plan could get hit with a $1.6M-$4M gene therapy claim, which would tank its stop-loss renewal. A ~$43,000 reinsurance rider would cover those costs; acting soon matters because pre-existing conditions aren't covered.
Cancelled March 3 work session on Middletown Renaissance and capital budget
A resident flagged that the March 3 work session on the Middletown Renaissance project and capital budget appeared to never resume after executive session. Commissioners confirmed the meeting was canceled and those items will be rescheduled.
County IT backup and cybersecurity investment
The county is spending roughly $11,000 on backup equipment, software, and immutable backup storage so county data can't be overwritten or encrypted — protection against ransomware.