The proposed annexation of 83.373 acres of farmland from Stonelick Township into the village of Owensville has sparked a controversy.

In a June 25 public hearing that attracted more than 50 concerned parties (this large number of people had to be moved to the courthouse jury room to accommodate), the Clermont County Board of Commissioners, before making any decisions, are now engaged in hearing testimony from those in favor and those opposed to the annexation before grappling with whether or not to grant the annexation petition.

The controversy started earlier this year when current township residents Jeff and Kathleen Jarvis, who have owned and lived on a large horse farm on Brushy Fork Road for 26 years, expressed a desire to annex their property into the village of Owensville, stating that they have a standing relationship with the village, and that they would rather deal with the village’s form of government of a mayor and village council than a township’s board of trustees, and a zoning board, and a zoning board of appeals.