The proposed tax levy that would have funded Landen-Deerfield Park in Deerfield Township and 11 other Warren County parks will not go before voters.

Commissioner Tom Grossmann confirmed at the Tuesday, Aug. 4 commissioners meeting that the Warren County Park District Board voted to rescind its proposed 0.7-mill, six-year levy. The decision ends months of tension between commissioners and the park board over how the district pursued the ballot measure without consulting county leaders.

As we reported July 22, the park district had warned that without the levy, reserves would run out by 2028 and up to 10 of its 12 parks could close. The district operates 1,716 acres countywide, including Landen-Deerfield Park at 2258 U.S. Routes 22 and 3 in Maineville.

At the July 21 commissioners meeting, Commissioner Shannon Jones said the levy push had shifted from a partnership conversation to one where the park district was "using leverage," according to [meeting minutes](https://commissioners.warrencountyohio.gov/doc/AgendaMinutes/Minutes/2026/072126 Regular Session 2.pdf). Park District CEO Matt Latham disclosed at that session that the district runs an annual shortfall of roughly $200,000.

"Appointments to the board are important because the unelected park board has the authority to place tax levies on the ballot," Commissioner Dave Young said at the Aug. 4 meeting.

Grossmann noted that board member Wendy Monroe had voted against the proposed levy before the full board rescinded it. Monroe's term is expected to end this year, and commissioners said they would recommend candidates to the Warren County Probate Court, which makes the final appointment.

County administrator resigns after 19 years

At the same meeting, commissioners accepted County Administrator Martin Russell's resignation, setting his last day as Aug. 28. Russell is leaving to become assistant city manager for Middletown, according to the Journal-News.

Russell joined Warren County's economic development office in 2007 and rose through the ranks, serving as director of economic development, executive director of the Port Authority and deputy county administrator before being named county administrator effective Jan. 1, 2024, according to the Warren County Post. During his Port Authority tenure, the organization issued $15.735 million in bonds for the Warren County Sports Park.

Fair posts $178,000 preliminary profit

Grossmann also delivered preliminary financials from the 2026 Warren County Fair, reported by the Warren County Post: $591,083 in total income against $413,266 in expenses, yielding a preliminary profit of $178,537. Junior Fair livestock sales hit $910,006, up from $773,339 in 2025. The fair sold 552 memberships, 1,521 weekly passes and 24,147 daily passes.

A complete financial and attendance report is expected at the commissioners' next meeting.