The League of Women Voters of Licking County  |  The Reporting Project

OBSERVER REPORT

Government Body Observed: Licking County Commissioners Meeting

Meeting Date: 02/06/2025

Meeting Details

Attendance: Commissioners Black, Bubb, and Flowers were in attendance, County Administrator Edelblute and Deputy Clerk Christel Hamper were also in attendance

Public Comment: There was no one from the public in attendance.

Old Business:  

New Business: There was extensive discussion of the potential purchase of a building, part of  which the county currently rents. If the building is purchased, it could be used in the future as a service center. An independent assessment of the property's value has been undertaken and the valuation came in at 1.6M. No decision was made about the purchase of the building but the commissioners seemed disposed to approve the purchase.

The second major item of discussion was the county airport. A new member of the Licking County Regional Airport Authority Board has been appointed, but there is likely to be turnover in the Board in the coming years. Commissioner Bubb reported that the FDA has raised the issue of likely changes to the airport, as the area continues to grow and executives of companies newly located in the County will want to use the airport. Improvement of infrastructure may be on the horizon.  

The third item on the agenda was a lunch meeting with the Senior Citizen Levy Board. The Levy Board met after lunch with applicants who are seeking funding.

Next Meeting: 2/13/25

Related documents, websites: Kroger Settlement Agreement: https://nationalopioidsettlement.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Kroger-Multistate-Settlement-Agreement-Final.pdf

February 6, 2025 Commissioner's Agenda https://crms-licking-public.poweredbymapsys.com/documents/agendas/8ff3182a-e6ae-4d36-2e05-08dd268e8d9d

Observer Notes: There were several items to highlight for close public attention. The Commission continues to track the challenges that rapid growth is likely to present to the County. The potential changes in the use of the County airport is one example from this meeting.  If these challenges are not addressed systematically and coherently with a plan, the negative economic consequences could be severe. It is also worth noting that the National  Kroger Opioid settlement will eventually bring some money to Licking County. Finally, it was notable that the groups seeking funding from the Senior Levy Advisor Board noted that recent hold on federal funding through grants and agencies seriously threatened services for seniors in the county. If the public is concerned about potential cuts in services, they may wish to let their representatives know.

Do you have any attachments? No

Observer: Paul Lauritzen

Submission Date: 02/08/2025

Reviewer: Sarah Finke-Fyffe