03-20-2025 Licking County Board of Commissioners

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

OBSERVER REPORT

Government Body Observed: Licking County Board of Commissioners

Meeting Date: 03-20-25

Meeting Details

Attendance: Commissioners Rick Black, Tim Bubb, Duane Flowers, Administrator David Edelblute, Clerk Cristel Hamper, Jason Umstott (LCBDD), Sean Barnes (Mayor of Alexandria) plus 2 staff members.

Public Comment: None

New Business: Jason Umstott, from Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities came to thank the commissioners for their support as he leaves his position. He commented that they worked well together, communicated well and had good relationships. He said this was not always common in other places around the state. The commissioners praised Mr. Umstott for his years of service.

A new Planning Director has been hired and is going through the required background checks.

Aggregation is going back on the ballot because the vote was so close last year.

Alexandria Mayor Barnes and his staff came to see if they had done everything required for a new municipality combining Alexandria with St. Albans township. They believe this merger puts them in a stronger position to keep farmers protected from development.

The merger has not been approved, only proposed. The proposal will be on the May 6 ballot.

If that passes it will go to the November ballot, with an effective date of January 2026.

The commissioners provided input on funding, levies, income tax, transition of services to a new municipality, expedited annexation, current debt and who is responsible. The township will still be a paper township due to old federal laws.

Granville has offered water to the municipality, as has Johnstown.

Next Meeting: March 27