Warren County residents will wait at least two weeks for their next regular commissioners meeting after the board canceled two upcoming sessions and pushed through 11 resolutions in a single sitting on Tuesday, Aug. 11.

Commissioners Shannon Jones, David Young and Tom Grossmann voted unanimously to cancel the Thursday, Aug. 13 and Tuesday, Aug. 18 meetings. The resolution gives no reason for the cancellations. The next scheduled regular session is Tuesday, Aug. 25.

The gap comes one week after the board accepted County Administrator Martin Russell's resignation, as we reported Aug. 6.

Master Plan Phase 2 moves forward

The board appointed a five-member evaluation committee to review qualifications from firms seeking design-build contracts for the county's Master Plan Phase 2 projects. The committee will shortlist at least three firms, interview each one and make a recommendation before commissioners choose a winner.

The panel includes Deputy County Administrator Susan Walther, Director of Facilities Management Trevor Hearn, Deputy Director of Facilities Management Michelle Tegtmeier, Director of Human Services James Ryan and Warren County Health Commissioner Chris Balster.

Commissioners authorized the underlying request for qualifications just one week earlier, on Aug. 4. The specific scope, cost estimate and list of county facilities covered by Phase 2 have not been publicly detailed.

Drug Task Force grant authorized

Commissioners also authorized board President Jones to sign pre-award paperwork for a state Justice Assistance Grant funding the Warren County Drug Task Force through the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services. The grant covers Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2026.

A mandatory grant orientation webinar was scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 12, at 10 a.m. Failure to attend could delay payment processing or cancel the funds entirely. The grant's dollar amount is not stated in the resolution.

Personnel and hiring

The session approved seven new hires, including four emergency communications operators at $23.93 an hour starting Sept. 9 and three children-services positions in the Department of Job and Family Services starting Aug. 17 and Aug. 24. The board also accepted one resignation, one retirement resignation and terminated a probationary employee.

The next regular Warren County Commissioners meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 25.