EATON — The Preble County Board of Commissioners met with Tom Beatty and Claudius Walker regarding an easement for DP&L at the Preble County Fairgrounds during a meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 18.
After brief discussion, the board approved a DP&L Electric right of way and easement at fairgrounds. According to Commissioner Chris Day, DP&L will need contact the Preble County Fairground Manager Jim Shute to discuss details.
Brenda Latanza, Preble County Economic Development Partnership (PCDP) Director, met with the board for her Economic Development Quarterly meeting. She discussed recent projects and accomplishments in Preble County, sharing, “It’s been a good three months.”
The board also met with Bob Baker regarding maintenance projects. He spoke about the chiller, work at the health department, and other ongoing projects.
Commission Clerk Kim Keller also brought the topic of bed tax up to the board, regarding a lodging property who has not been paying. She said, Auditor Lavon Wright has expressed that she does not want to be made “enforcer” of the bed tax.
“The way ours is set up, the auditor is responsible for collecting, overseeing, and enforcing the bed tax. She doesn’t want to be the enforcer,” Keller said. “There isn’t anything out there that says who does it. It says commission can set up taxes, but I haven’t found anything that says the auditor does it.”
Keller added, Wright could send out a letter regarding the bed tax, but once the court becomes involved, it becomes the duty of the commission to take the case.
“I think it needs to be done and if they choose not to pay, as they continue to expand out there, if they are not going to pay their ‘taxes’ we don’t have to approve their future expansions,” Commissioner Rodney Creech said. “I don’t think it is going to get to a point where it is going to be a lawsuit, [but] there has to be some type of enforcement.”
Keller said they could go ahead and send out a warning letter informing the property owner of the taxes.
In other business:
•The board authorized a payment of $2,079 to the Preble County recorder.
•The board approved a resolution establishing the CDBG FY19 Critical Infrastructure Eldorado WWTP Updates Grant Fund.
•The board noted receipt of a letter from the Preble County Engineer referencing the promotion of David J. Price.
•The Health Insurance Advisory Board Meeting was held.
•The board met with Eric Marit regarding Preble County Sewer District Six.
The Preble County Board of Commissioners meets every Monday and Wednesday at 9 a.m. in the Preble County Courthouse, unless noted otherwise.
