BATAVIA, Ohio — Clermont County commissioners voted 2-1 Oct. 21 to approve the annexation of nearly 105 acres from Batavia Township into the Village of Batavia, overriding a recommendation from the area’s fire-EMS provider that the board deny the request.
The board adopted Resolution 155-26 granting the annexation of 104.7036 acres, with Commissioners David Painter and Bonnie Batchler voting yes and Commissioner Claire Corcoran voting no, according to meeting minutes.
The petition was filed with the board Sept. 21 as a Type 2 expedited annexation under sections 709.021 and 709.023 of the Ohio Revised Code, Board Clerk Gael Fawley told commissioners. The Village of Batavia passed two ordinances Oct. 5 establishing the services it would provide to the newly annexed area, and Batavia Township did not file a resolution objecting to or consenting to the petition within the 25-day window state law allows, which Fawley said is deemed consent under the statute.
Jared Shouse, a representative of the Central Joint Fire-EMS District, urged the board to deny the annexation, saying the area would lack adequate emergency services without proper financial support in place.
Painter said the county has fought this type of annexation in the past, was challenged in court and lost. He also asked Craig Risner of the county engineer’s office for input; Risner told the board that three roads in the annexed area would fall under the Village of Batavia’s jurisdiction, reducing the mileage of county roads eligible for Ohio Department of Transportation funding.
Batchler said the county’s hands are tied on this type of annexation until state lawmakers change Ohio’s annexation statutes.
Batavia Township resident William Albright addressed the board during the meeting’s public participation period on the topic of annexation and fire department services, according to the minutes.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Clermont County Board of Commissioners.