By Kristin Rover
Sun staff
Amelia council members decided to create a committee that will look into the advantages and disadvantages of becoming a city during their Aug. 27 council meeting.
According to section 703.01 of the Ohio Revised Code, a municipality with a population of less than 5,000 is designated as a village while a municipality with a population of more than 5,000 residents is designated as a city.
Mayor Todd Hart said that at the time of the last census Amelia had approximately 4,800 residents.
“That was in 2010,” Hart said.
He said in addition to that, the village had around 144 foreclosures.
“Since then, most of those foreclosures have been filled,” Hart said. “Plus the houses we’ve issued permits for and built.”
Hart said they have estimated that the village has exceeded the 5,000 mark since the 2010 census.
“Derrick Campbell brought up to council to form a committee to look into the city status,” Hart said. “To look into if it would be beneficial to start the process.”
Hart said Campbell, Katie Krafka and Chris Dickerson will be on the committee.
Hart said they will look into what it means to become a city, what the advantages and disadvantages are, and look into when they could start the process if they decide to do so.
“By law we wouldn’t be a city until the next census in 2020,” Hart said.
He said that is unless they pay for a private census for the village.
“The whole issue is, if the census comes back, we want to be prepared,” Hart said.
The cities of Milford and Loveland are the only other cities in Clermont County.