As we put the ‘cork in the bottle’ for 2010 and look with optimism toward 2011 - Marianne and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a Happy New Year!
In this final County Commissioner e-mail newsletter of 2010 I would like to share a Year In-Review column written for the local media…
Licking County Commissioners - Year in Review 2010
In what has been a challenging year, I would like to share some thoughts about the achievements of your Licking County Government in a time of declining resources.
Much has been said recently about cutbacks, and any review of 2010 must begin with the effects of the recession. Unemployment in Licking County has declined from double digits to around nine percent by year end, with a number of employers hiring or planning to hire in 2011. A positive surge in economic activity happened this past year. A considerable increase was noted in commercial and industrial inquiries as our economic development professionals dealt with new business prospects on a level not seen since 2007.
Just to point to some of the successes – development is underway on several new businesses in the New Albany Industrial Park in Licking County, a major new business is locating in a new distribution facility in Etna, construction is underway for a new building with state of the art clean-rooms on the Port Authority site in Heath, a California glassmaker is finalizing plans to occupy a vacant industrial plant in Utica, the former Roper Plant site in Newark is being transformed into a viable ‘brown field’ industrial site for the future, and a number of other sites are seeing increased interest. In addition, the County in partnership with the State, Pataskala City and Etna Township will finish building a ‘development road’ through the JRS industrial site in western Licking County this spring.
The Complete Count Census Committee, for the County, continued its efforts though this past summer encouraging participation. Licking County residents responded with above average return of the Federal Census forms. The detailed Census results will be announced next year.
Licking County celebrated five years of selling surplus property on GovDeals.com, coordinated by Deputy Clerk Pam Jones. In this half decade the County’s unneeded property sold for some $350-thousand. This is many times what the old County on-site auction would have generated.
A number of major water and sewer projects were moved forward to improve local quality of life. After years of discussion, the Commissioners and the Southwest Licking Community Water and Sewer District completed a service agreement for water and sewer services in specific areas of the new State Route 161 corridor. An extension of sewer lines was brought under I-70 to serve the Route 37 corridor to Luray. Improvement is underway to the Prescott Estates water system. The Harbor Hills water system was upgraded and monthly rates were lowered! Work continues to extend sewer services to Jacksontown and St. Louisville, and to find a safe drinking water solution for the Village of Gratiot. A contract extending an agreement between the County and the City of Pataskala to provide drinking water for the Beechwood Trails Subdivision and other areas in Harrison Township is awaiting approval.
Licking County Transit continues to grow and celebrated five years in its new headquarters building in east Newark. In 2011 they will take over all transportation for the County Board of Developmental Disabilities, a collaboration designed to eliminate duplication of services and conserve community resources.
Entering 2011 the County Government continues to manage and provide needed services in a declining budget situation. The 2011 budget represents a five percent cut in spending from 2010, while maintaining a minimal carryover. The interim budget for 2011 is balanced, and we are hopeful the national recovery will mean a stronger local economy in the year ahead. Considering the challenges, I’m proud to say it has been a year of achievement on a number of fronts.
The County continues to develop a comprehensive Records and Archives Program. Efforts are continuing to salvage precious permanent records, and to properly archive and store all County records, paper and electronic. Also, a records destruction program is underway, eliminating unneeded records, and saving resources and precious space.
The County’s Information Technologies Department completed a critically needed data back-up center to protect the millions of computer records and actions, encompassing all aspects of County Government.
It should be noted the County’s investment in paperless digital computer systems for processing work at both our Job & Family Services and Child Support Enforcement agencies has allowed them to keep up with less staff and an increasing workload. These improvements are critical at a time when State financial support for these State/Local operations is dwindling.
The County’s Animal Control Department continues to improve with continued emphasis on professional leadership and an aggressive adoption program supported by our community, several helpful rescue groups, and a small army of dedicated volunteers. County Animal Control is proud to have one of the lowest humane euthanasia rates in the state, with a vast majority of stray dogs either being returned to their owners, or finding new homes through rescue and local adoption. By the way, now is the time to buy dog licenses for 2011, to guarantee your dog a return home if he or she becomes displaced.
An effort began in 2010 to preserve and work toward restoration of the historic old County Jail in downtown Newark. Modeled after efforts at the Mansfield Reformatory, a number of ideas, some tourist-related, are being pursued.
In its first year the Licking County Building Code Enforcement Agency was a major success. The unincorporated areas of the County, and most of the areas serviced by municipal governments benefited from the continuation of residential and commercial building code plan review and inspections.
These highlights represent achievement for the people of Licking County in a challenging year, and on behalf of fellow Commissioners Doug Smith and Brad Feightner, I am proud to share them with you.
Licking County Commissioner Tim Bubb
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