Lee Ann Watson, of the Clermont Mental Health and Recovery Board, presents on the “Stepping Up Initiative” during the Clermont County Commissioners meeting on Sept. 30, 2015.

Lee Ann Watson, of the Clermont Mental Health and Recovery Board, presents on the “Stepping Up Initiative” during the Clermont County Commissioners meeting on Sept. 30, 2015.
By Megan Alley
Sun staff

The Clermont County Commissioners approved a resolution to help with some of the coverage issues that the Miami Township Police Department has dealt with since May.

The contract for the purchase and installation of a bidirectional amplifier and distributed antenna system, which was approved during the commissioners’ meeting on Sept. 30, was made with Motorola Solutions, Inc., and is not to exceed $24,720.

The amplifier and antenna system will help fill in some radio signal voids within the police agency building, located at 5900 McPicken Drive, said Commissioner Ed Humphrey.

“We’re pleased that the commissioners have purchased the amplifier for the police department,” said Miami Township Police Department Chief Sue Madsen. “That resolves one of the issues that have been raised as we continue to work toward addressing other issues within the township and outside of the township.”

Madsen said that the purchase does not resolve coverage issues in other areas, but she noted that the county is working with her department to find other alternatives to those issues.

During their meeting, the commissioners also received a presentation from Mark Calitri, president of the Clermont County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“One of the things that we’re really trying to circle back around with is making our guests feel more welcome, providing more information and making things a little more attractive so they’ll stay longer and spend more money in the county,” Calitri said.

As part of this effort, Calitri said they will be providing Google mapping service at East Fork State Park. All the trails and all the beach will be mapped out on Google maps, he explained.

“Awesome,” Commissioner Bob Proud said.

Calitri also said that hotel stays are up six percent over last year.

“You guys are doing a great job, thank you for all you do,” said Humphrey.

In other business, the commissioners adopted a revised Table of Organization for the Clermont County Department of Job and Family Services, which includes the elimination of four vacant full-time positions, a reclassification of four positions and a transfer of one position to another area of operations.

The changes will result in an overall decrease in the full-time staffing level from 222 to 218 positions.

“Rather than downsizing, we’re rightsizing,” Proud said.

The commissioners also approved putting the county’s unneeded personal property for sale online at the internet auction site Govdeals.com.

Additionally, it was noted that the road between 2096-2108 Elklick Road, located in Batavia, would be closed October 5-30, for the first of five culvert replacements.

As well, the commissioners adopted a resolution to encourage all county officials, employees and residents to participate in the “Stepping Up Initiative” to reduce the number of people with mental illness in jails.

“I think it’s very positive,” Humphrey said. “We’ve been working to reduce that, and we have many initiatives that are working well, and this just ties us in with the national effort.”