Every day, about 1,200 Clermont County employees provide a variety of services to those who live, work and play in the county. County Government Month offers the opportunity to highlight some of the county’s workers, as well as share statistics that provide a look at the difference they make.

The National Association of Counties (NACo) 2022 theme involves demonstrating how counties thrive, especially in technology, health, readiness, infrastructure, vulnerable communities, and economic opportunities.

First, a look at some of our employees: Read more here

Jeffrey Gobeille, 28, made a life-changing decision when he chose to enter Clermont County Family Recovery Court in October 2020. On March 17, he fulfilled the requirements to graduate and entered into the 60-to-90-day exit phase of the program.

“It was the best thing for me to get my kids back,” said Gobeille, father of sons River, 2½, and Asher, 1. “Family Recovery Court offered what I needed, the guidance and support.”

Judge James Shriver asked Gobeille if he wanted to start Family Recovery Court during a review hearing on a Child Protective Services case.

“Judge Shriver had presented this to me a couple of months before, so I had time to think about it and said, yes, this was something I had to do,” Gobeille said.

The specialized docket under Judge Shriver was one of the first of its kind in southwestern Ohio when it started on Nov. 13, 2014. Clermont County Family Recovery Court was based on the drug court model, which emphasizes treatment over punishment.

The Clermont County Convention and Visitors Bureau is joining forces with the Ohio History Connection, Historic New Richmond, Inc., and the U.S Grant Homestead Association in commemorating the 200th birth date anniversary of Ulysses S. Grant, Civil War General and 18th President of the United States.

Explore Ohio history and learn about Grant’s life and legacy this year through a robust offering of programs including a proclamation, special presidential dinner, guest speakers, birthday parties and more.

Find out more details and the most up-to-date information about each program visit discoverclermont.com/grant

The Clermont County Engineer’s Office will nearly triple resurfacing and repair of roads in 2022 thanks to a commitment of $4 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds by the Board of County Commissioners. This will be the largest road improvement program in county history, with resurfacing of 45 county roads and repairing of 18.

Commissioners on Feb. 23 approved the Engineer’s request to advertise for bids for the 2022 Road Resurfacing Program. Bids will be received until 2 p.m. March 17.

Doug Royer of the Engineer’s Office told commissioners that estimated construction cost is $7.6 million. If you take out costs covered by several townships and villages, the Engineer’s share is $6.2 million for county roads – well above that of previous years, thanks to the ARPA funds.

A full list of proposed 2022 road resurfacing and repairing projects is available on the Engineer’s Office website.

The Annual Spring Litter Clean-up will take place 9-11 a.m. Saturday, April 23, at multiple locations. Volunteers can help spruce up areas in their communities while enjoying the outdoors. There are many opportunities and areas throughout the county for volunteers to help by clearing trash and unsightly debris from our parks, waterways and other shared open spaces.

Families, individuals, scout groups, and other organizations are encouraged to participate.

Several of the staging events planned for this event include East Fork State Park, Stonelick State Park, City of Milford, Miami Township, Village of Bethel, Village of Williamsburg, and Pierce Township. All volunteers will be provided with materials for their clean-up activities, including protective gloves, trash bags and litter grabbers. Individuals who request litter cleanup materials will be sent details for supply pick-up in their communities.

Clermont Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD), Valley View Foundation (VVF), the East Fork Watershed Collaborative and the Adams-Clermont Solid Waste District work together each year with local partners to support community and volunteers throughout Clermont County and the East Fork Little Miami River Watershed for the event.

Each year, the Clermont County Soil and Water Conservation District offers tree and native shrub seedlings, as well as a few native perennials, at discount prices. This program gives landowners the opportunity to develop small areas of reforestation, provide habitat for wildlife enhancement, or native additions to home landscaping.

Most of the seedlings offered are 12 to 24 inch ‘whips.’ Tree and shrub seedlings will be bare-rooted, with the plants dipped in a preservative to help keep the roots from drying out. They wrapped them in a plastic bag. Most packets will be in a bag about the size of a grocery bag and can easily be placed in your car for pick up. Perennials are sold as ‘plugs.’ The plugs they are offering are about 2 inches in diameter and a robust 4.5 inches deep. For detailed descriptions and photos, please visit this website.

Rain barrels are also offered again this year. The use of rain barrels lowers the municipal water demands and saves energy at water treatment facilities by reducing water pollution and stormwater runoff.

Mail-in order deadline is April 15. Website orders will be taken until May 3 or until stock runs out.

Please visit: https://store.clermontswcd.org.

Pick-up dates are Thursday, May 5, noon-6:30 p.m. and Friday, May 6, noon-4:30 p.m. at Clermont County Fair Grounds, Commercial Building, 1000 Locust Street Owensville, OH 45160.

If you require tax exemption or have questions please contact Connie Miller (513) 732-7075 Ext. 2 or cmiller@clermontcountyohio.gov.

Total Quality Logistics (TQL) has committed to investing an additional $78 million in the Cincinnati region. The project will expand TQL’s footprint on its Ivy Pointe headquarters campus -- and is expected to create 1,000 new positions.

“We are proud that TQL has found Clermont County to be the right location for its growth,” said Bonnie Batchler, president, Board of County Commissioners. “Clermont County offers great amenities, a low cost of doing business, and our county and local governments are business-friendly.”

Clermont County officials on March 17 participated in a ceremonial groundbreaking for the 29,000-square-foot expansion and renovation of Juvenile Court. The facility off Bauer Road in Batavia will allow the Court to combine staff and services from five buildings into one location

The project consists of five courtrooms, administrative offices, holding cells and high density filing rooms for the Courts as well as individual offices for Juvenile Probation along with conference rooms and group activity rooms.

Mark Spaulding Construction Company of Florence, Ky., bid for $7.5 million for the base project, with a grand total of $8 million that includes proposed alternates.

The Drug Enforcement Administration will host its 22nd National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event offers free and anonymous disposal of unneeded medications at more than 4,000 local drop-off locations nationwide.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a majority of people who misused a prescription medication obtained the medicine from a family member or friend.

Food scraps and yard waste currently make up more than 30 percent of what an average household throws away. Instead of disposing of these items in a landfill, they can be easily composted into an excellent soil amendment for your garden. Compost contains a variety of nutrients and minerals needed for healthy plant growth.

The Adams Clermont Solid Waste District is offering Earth Machine compost bins (80-gallon size) for sale for only $60 each, which is 1/2 off the retail price. These compost bins can be ordered on the Clermont Soil and Water Conservation District annual plant sale website through May 3. The compost bins will be available for pickup on Thursday, May 5 (from noon to 6:30 p.m.) and on Friday, May 6 (from noon to 4:30 p.m.) at the Clermont County Fairgrounds. All orders must be placed online at www.store.clermontswcd.org and payment will be accepted in-person at the time of pickup. A maximum of only two bins per household can be purchased due to limited quantities, so be sure to order yours soon!

Visit www.OEQ.net/home-composting for additional information about backyard composting,

Action by the Board of County Commissioners on March 9 brought the former village of Newtonsville a step closer to its first sewer system – a process dating back to the 1990s. Work on the project that’s coming to fruition started in 2012.

Commissioners awarded bids totaling $12.3 million to Building Crafts Inc. of Wilder, Ky., and Tribute Contracting & Consultants of South Point, Ohio for the Newtonsville-area collection system and wastewater treatment plant projects in Wayne Township. Building Crafts entered into a $6.3-million contract for the wastewater treatment plant and Tribute, $6 million for the collection system.

Currently, properties have septic systems. In October 2012, residents were notified by Clermont Public Health that a significant number of homes had failing septic systems, and sewage created a health risk. At that time, Public Health recommended a public sewer system to serve the residents in the project area.

Since then, the Clermont County Water Resources Department has completed extensive engineering fieldwork and project design. A number of public information meetings have been held.

Clermont County is hiring for a variety of positions in areas such as Water Resources, the Animal Shelter, Job and Family Services and more.

These are great jobs in the public retirement systems with good benefits and the opportunity for growth.

To see what's available, click here

The Clermont County Public Library has many great programs to enjoy this spring.

• Learn how to make soap using goat milk at the Batavia Library, April 4, 6 p.m.

• Discover the art of making silhouette portraits, which were popular with our 18th president, U.S. Grant, Williamsburg, April 5, 6 p.m. and at Amelia, April 19, 6 p.m.

• Learn more about birdwatching, Amelia, April 5, 6:30 p.m.

• Meet Steve Newman, the Worldwalker, at Bethel, April 11, 6:30 p.m.

• Explore what toys children played with during the lifetime of our 18th president, U.S. Grant, Williamsburg, April 12, 4:30 p.m.

• Enjoy an evening of poetry, Miami Township, April 19, 6 p.m.

• Used Book Sale, Goshen, April 28, April 29, April 30, during library hours

Clermont Senior Services is excited to announce the scheduling of the 2022 Senior Living Expo and Consumer Protection Forum on June 2. The Expo is sponsored by Superior Home Care and the Consumer Protection Forum is sponsored by Park National Bank. The Expo has been canceled the last two years, and Clermont Senior Services is excited to see all their friends in the community again!

The event will take place at Crossroads East Side, located at 4450 Eastgate South Drive, next to Jungle Jim’s in Eastgate, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Admission to this event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.

Vendors will be on-site to speak with older adults regarding all aspects of senior living. In addition to the Expo, at 12 p.m., guests will have the opportunity to hear from a panel of experts related to consumer protection and fraud. At the conclusion of the event, some vendors will be giving away door prizes. A popular attraction each year is the music from the Pete Wagner Band. People have been known to travel great distances to hear the band and dance to their famous big band music.

This event has something for everyone, and has become a can’t-miss senior event in Clermont County.

Vendor spaces are still available and can be obtained by visiting: https://clermontseniors.com/events/2022-senior-living-expo/

Questions can be directed to Jennifer Harcourt at 513-536-4022.

Two projects have been included in an appropriations bill that will bring $3.9 million to Clermont County as a result of a team effort.

On March 15, the President signed into law the $1.5 trillion omnibus appropriations bill, H.R. 2471, for Fiscal Year 2022. The legislation, which passed Congress with bipartisan support, includes two Congressionally Directed Spending requests from U.S. Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Cincinnati).

The legislation appropriates about $2.9 million for road improvements to U.S. Route 52 in New Richmond.

In addition, $1 million is appropriated for Child Focus, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Clermont County that provides early childhood and behavioral health programs to children and families throughout central and southern Ohio. Child Focus will use these funds to make improvements to its integrated care facility in Mount Orab to provide substance abuse and behavioral health assistance to children and adults in Clermont County, Brown County, and surrounding communities.

“These wins for Clermont County are a result of a team effort with our local communities, nonprofits, Clermont County, the Port Authority, and Congressman Wenstrup’s office,” said Clermont County Commission President Bonnie Batchler. “The Commissioners are proud of how our communities work together to make Clermont County a better place to live, work and grow.”

The Clermont County Port Authority is appreciative of Congressman Wenstrup’s efforts to bring these dollars back to the district to improve mobility in our region and to provide essential supports that will foster growth and self-sufficiency for adults and children.

Bonnie Batchler, president, Board of County Commissioners, and board member Claire Corcoran on March 23 met with Rep. Brad Wenstrup’s representatives and officials from local areas such New Richmond and Moscow regarding matters related to the Ohio River. They also toured the Freedom Trail, Ulysses S. Grant Birthplace and other areas of interest.

The Adams Clermont Solid Waste District is pleased to partner with the Clermont Soil and Water Conservation District to provide several environmental education programs and services to K-12 students in Clermont County schools.

Education Coordinator Kat Zelak is available to assist schools with general environmental education, recycling programs, solid waste reduction projects, food waste reduction/diversion programs, and environmental grant applications.

To learn more, contact Zelak at kzelak@clermontcountyohio.gov or via phone at 513-732-7075 ext.5