EATON — The Preble County Board of Commissioners met with County Treasurer Brenda White during their Monday, April 12 meeting to discuss the creation of a Preble County Land Bank, which has been in discussions since 2019.

According to White, in a meeting at that time, a chairperson and vice-chairperson had been selected but a secretary and treasurer had not. Land bank documents have to be signed by its secretary, she noted, so no actions had been taken yet.

Land banks are entities created by counties or municipalities to effectively manage and repurpose an inventory of underused, abandoned, or foreclosed property.

“I have sent emails to the other board members, telling them that we would like to have a reorganization,” she said.

White went on to say the commissioners would also need to decide which of the three of them will sit on the land bank board.

Commissioners will review the information White presented regarding the creation of the land bank and then make a decision on how to move forward.

In other business

The board met with Prosecutor Marty Votel regarding a question of whether a formal resolution from the board was needed when seeking his legal advice.

The board approved a courthouse painting agreement with Russell Painting Company in the amount of $1,945 and a painting agreement for Common Pleas Court with Bailey Painting in the amount of $3,490.

The board approved an archive writer maintenance services agreement with Information Management Services in the amount of $6,300 for Microfilm.

The board approved a two-year lease agreement with Daytep LLC in the amount of $27, 536.16, for the Title Department.

The board approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the Preble County Sheriff’s Office and West Alexandria Police Department for access to the PCSO’s VPN.

Additionally, the board approved a child placement agreement in the amount of $50,000 with Krown Solutions for Children Services.

The Preble County Board of Commissioners meet every Monday and Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the Preble County Courthouse. These meetings are open to the public.