Former Clermont County Commissioner and former CCAO President Ed Humphrey passes away
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On Saturday, former Clermont County Commissioner Ed Humphrey passed away at the age of 82.
Ed's true passion was serving others. He served as a commissioner from 2008 to 2020, before which he served as a Miami Township Trustee. Ed was elected to serve as CCAO Board of Directors President in 2017.
Before his career as an elected offical, he was one of the founders of Miamiville Fire and EMS Services and rose through the ranks to become both Fire and EMS chief. He also served on various boards including the National Ski Patrol, the American Heart Association, METRO, Box 13, and the Milford First United Methodist Church.
You can read Ed's full obituary here.
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Clermont County Commissioner David Painter named chair of US EPA's Local Government Advisory Committee
Congratulations to Clermont County Commissioner David Painter on being named the chair of the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC)! The LGAC provides a local government prospective to the US EPA to help the agency understand the impacts its decisions have on local governments and provide information about how local governments navigate the environmental regulatory system.
The following is an excerpt from a press release by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, originally issued on August 12.
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the revitalization of the Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC), an advisory group comprised of state and local officials who will help to advance the agency's core mission of protecting human health and the environment while Powering the Great American Comeback.
“Cooperative federalism is at the core of the Trump EPA, and we are proud to work with our state and local governments that are most closely connected to their communities’ environmental issues. Revitalizing the Local Government Advisory Committee ensures we are operating in lock step to protect human health and the environment while Powering the Great American Comeback,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.
The LGAC will begin its new charter with a discussion of challenges local governments face when navigating the siting and development of AI infrastructure and data centers in a sustainable manner. This work will be discussed at a virtual public meeting this September, which will be published soon in the Federal Register.
The 22-member committee represents a broad range of communities across the country, including 13 new appointments and 9 reappointments or continuing members. The Committee will be led by Ohio’s Clermont County Commissioner David Painter.
“The synergies between environmental regulations and ensuring responsible performance in future projects are essential to moving America forward while protecting our environment for future generations,” said LGAC Chair David Painter. “This is our number one goal. The combined expertise of these members, serving in an advisory role, will result in practical advice that the Federal EPA can count on to guide its future.”
THURSDAY: CCAO hosting first webinar in series on county-administered human services programs
Following federal and state policy changes and trends and ahead of the upcoming gubernatorial administration change in Ohio, CCAO will host a three-part webinar series to dive deeper into the important human services systems that counties administer.
Ohio delegates responsibility for the administration of many critical human service programs to counties, including public assistance, children services, and child support enforcement. Each program and funding stream comes with distinct regulations and community impacts that are important to understand.
The first webinar in this series will be held on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. and will focus on the child welfare system. Child welfare, also referred to as children services, has steadily emerged as one of the biggest budgetary challenges that counties face. Skyrocketing placement costs, due in part to children who need more involved care, have strained a system that has traditionally been funded through property tax levies.
You can register for the webinar here.
The other webinars in the series will focus on job and family services agencies (September 14) and child support enforcement agencies (September 28).
CCAO partnering with ODA to promote Ohio agricultural production
CCAO is partnering with the Ohio Department of Agriculture's "Ohio Proud" marketing program to highlight food and agriculture products made in Ohio.
ODA invites you to join in the August celebration of Ohio Proud Month by recognizing the outstanding food and agriculture businesses in your county that proudly produce, process, and grow Ohio products. Ohio Proud Month is an opportunity to highlight the hardworking farmers, food manufacturers, and small agriculture businesses that contribute to our state's rich agricultural heritage while strengthening local economies and creating jobs.
We encourage your participation by:
- Issuing a proclamation recognizing Ohio Proud Month in your county.
- Highlighting local Ohio Proud member businesses through your website and social media channels.
- Sharing the importance of supporting local agriculture and food businesses with your community.
Your participation sends a message of appreciation to the businesses and individuals who work every day to provide high-quality Ohio products while investing in our local communities. We would be honored to have your county join us in this statewide celebration.
Ohio Proud has provided a listing of its 360 member companies and a proclamation template for your use. If you don’t see your county listed as having an Ohio Proud member business, we encourage you to share the Ohio Proud message and let your local businesses know that ODA offers programs to amplify the importance of buying local and supporting Ohio food businesses.
Please send any photos of your board passing the resolutions or honoring a business, or any questions you may have, to Kenton Dresbach at (740) 601-8334 or kdresbach@ccao.org.
If you would like more information about Ohio Proud, or if you have local businesses interested in learning more about the program, please send them to Ohio Proud’s Marketing Specialist, Ashley McDonald, at 614-728-6206 or OhioProud@agri.ohio.gov. Top Top ADVOCACY NEEDED: Federal transportation funding cliff at September's end
NACo and CCAO are encouraging counties to reach out to your federal delegation and advocate for vital transportation funding.
The country is approaching a federal transportation funding cliff at the end of September. Existing federal funding for transportation was funded through the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA), which expires at the end of September (the end of the federal fiscal year).
The IIJA funded transportation projects through two mechanisms:
- Highway Trust Fund - $383 billion
- Guaranteed Set-Asides - $155 billion
Of particular note to counties is a portion of the set-asides. The Bridge Formula Program, which will disappear entirely on October 1, provided $5.5 billion to assist local governments build and maintain bridges.
The Continuing Resolution that the Senate recently passed (including, among other things, the delay in the OMB rule change) extended portions of the IIJA, but not the guaranteed set-asides.
NACo has prepared template letters for House of Representatives members and Senate members, as well as talking points to use with your delegation or their staff. These documents are available for download below.
If you have any questions, please contact Ben Gilsdorf, NACo's Legislative Director for Transportation.
Farm Science Review Grand Opening registration open through August 31
Registration for the 2026 Farm Science Review's Grand Opening is open! The grand opening will take place on September 22, and the full annual event will be held from September 22-24 in London at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center.
The Grand Opening will include a breakfast, opening remarks from Vice President and CFAES Dean Cathann Kress and other special guests, followed by a self-guided tour of the event.
Registration for the Grand Opening can be completed here. The deadline is August 31 to ensure that registrants will receive their ticket and parking pass in a timely manner.
The Farm Science Review is one of the nation's leading events focused on agricultural education, demonstrations, and innovation. Advance tickets are available for $10 through county OSU Extension offices and will be available for $15 at the gate.
PFAS-tainted firefighting tool takeback program open until September 4
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is opening a second round of its Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) Takeback Program.
The program allows local fire departments, emergency management agencies, and public airports to dispose of AFFF stockpiles at no cost.
As the OEPA explains, "While AFFF is a critical tool for airports and fire departments in battling flammable liquid fires, it comes with an environmental risk. AFFF contains high concentrations of PFAS compounds, also known as "forever" chemicals, which resist natural degradation and can contaminate our water, soil, and air."
Registration for disposal must be completed by September 4.
NOTE: Replacement products are not provided.
SERB's 2026 Health Insurance report released
The State Employment Relations Board has released its 2026 report on the cost of health insurance in Ohio's public sector.
SERB received completed surveys from 96% of the entities that it queried, including 85 counties. The report includes a wealth of useful information and CCAO encourages our members to review it.
Two figures of note are how premiums have increased compared to wages and inflation.
In 2026, the premium for a single employee increased by 6.6% and for a family increased by 7.1%. At the same time, the average wage increase was 3.3%.
Both of these premium increase rates exceed the national inflation rate (2.7%) and the national medical care inflation rate (3.2%).
Read the full report here
State Plan on Aging available for public comment through August
Ohio’s draft 2027-2030 State Plan on Aging is now available for public review and comment.
The Department of Aging developed the State Plan with the support of the Health Policy Institute of Ohio and in consultation with an advisory committee comprised of 73 representatives from aging, healthcare, and social services networks.
The Department also gathered input through six community listening sessions, 12 key informant interviews, six (6) town halls, and a community needs survey with more than 1,900 responses.
The State Plan is influenced by the six strategic priorities established by the Administration for Community Living (ACL).
- Caregiving
- Connecting People to Services
- Economic Security
- Employment
- Protecting Rights and Preventing Abuse
- Whole-Person health
Aging designed the State Plan to make Ohio the best place to age in the nation. It has seven priority areas:
- Caregiver supports
- Community support and services
- Financial well-being
- Healthy food access
- Quality and coordinated healthcare
- Reliable transportation
- Safe and accessible housing
The Department will accept comments from the public until August 30. Please email comments to OhioStatePlan@age.ohio.gov or mail them to the address below:
Ohio Department of Aging
Attn: Elder Connections Division
30 E. Broad St., 22nd Floor
Columbus, OH 43215 Top TOMORROW: OEDA to host webinar on revised economic development confidentiality statute
Earlier this year, new confidentiality language in Revised Code was enacted that broadly required public bodies to treat nearly all information tied to economic development assistance as confidential, even exposing officials and employees to potential criminal liability for disclosure.
The provision caught much of the economic development community off guard. In June, the General Assembly passed House Bill 479, which narrows that requirement to individualized compensation and payroll information.
Tomorrow, August 18 at 1:30, the Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA) is hosting a webinar on the revised economic development confidentiality law — what changed, what it leaves unresolved, as well as what economic development professionals, local elected officials and their counsel need to do before the new provisions take effect September 23. The session will cover how to handle records, executive sessions, and disclosure decisions in the interim, along with the questions that remain even under the revised statute.
CCAO recommends that elected officials and county staff involved in economic development attend the webinar to learn more about the current provisions.
The webinar is provided at no cost to CCAO members.
Application window for SFY 2027 Brownfield Remediation Grants opens tomorrow, to run through September 11
The Department of Development recently released the updated Fiscal Year 2027 guidelines and application information for the Brownfield Remediation Program. Applications will open tomorrow, August 11, and will close on September 11.
The Brownfield Remediation Program provides grants for the cleanup of brownfield sites and assists with the remediation of hazardous substances or petroleum at industrial, commercial, or institutional properties.
Remediation may include the acquisition of a brownfield, demolition performed at a brownfield, and the installation or upgrade of the minimum amount of infrastructure necessary to make a brownfield site operational for economic development activity.
The SFY 2027 program year will provide roughly $120 million in grants, with funds being awarded on a merit-based evaluation process that takes the following criteria into consideration:
- Economic merit of the project to the county, surrounding counties, and state;
- Ensuring that projects are awarded in different regions of the state;
- Readiness of the project to begin upon notification of award; and,
- Local support of the proposed project.
OSU Extension hosting grant workshop in Belmont County on October 2
The Noble County and Belmont County OSU Extension offices, in partnership with the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association, are hosting a grant writing workshop in St. Clairsville on October 2.
The workshop, running from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., will cover what to do before you write a grant; organizational mission and structure; components of a grant proposal; finding and connecting with funders; and a provide complimentary proposal review.
The fee for the course is $125, but communities and organizations located in an Appalachian county will receive a discounted rate.
The workshop is space limited and registration closes on September 15 (unless it fills earlier).
Registration can be completed by emailing Cathryn Stanley, Program Coordinator for the Noble County Ohio State University Extension Office.
Rolling applications open for Conservation Ditch Grant Program
The Ohio Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the 2026 H2Ohio Conservation Ditch Grant Program.
The program is a reimbursement model, providing up to 100% reimbursement for conservation ditch construction. Only two-stage ditches and self-forming ditches are eligible for consideration. Additionally, the watershed where the ditch is located must predominantly encompass cropland.
Only soil and water conservation districts and county engineers are eligible applicants.
Ditches reimbursed through the program do not need to be added to the county ditch maintenance program, but those that will be will receive prioritization.
The deadline for applications is June 1, 2027. However, grants will be approved on a rolling basis, so interested applicants are advised to submit applications at any time before the deadline.
The program's webpage has more information, including a recording of a webinar discussing program details.
State funding opportunities
The table below contains current state grant or loan programs. A more comprehensive list can be found on the Ohio Grants Partnership webpage.
Grant Program
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Brief Summary
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Eligibility Criteria
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Amount Available
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Application Due Date
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| Rural Health Transformation Program |
To improve health behaviors associated with cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and obesity in rural areas, and to strengthen rural communities by improving healthcare access, quality and outcomes by transforming the current system. |
Public health departments serving a non-urban county
(Map available on page 18 of the linked PDF)
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$7 million available
No match required
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September 8, 2026 |
| Brownfield Remediation Program |
To assist in the remediation of hazardous substances or petroleum at industrial, commercial, or institutional properties. |
General availability |
$120 million available
No match required
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September 11, 2026 |
| Precinct Election Official Recruitment and Training Grant |
To provide assistance in the recruitment and training of precinct election officials for the 2026 November general election. |
County boards of elections |
Set allocation per county, contact the Secretary of State for further information
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Unspecified, but terms must be completed by November 2, 2026 |
| H2Ohio Conservation Ditch Grant Program |
To provide reimbursement for the construction of two-stage and self-forming conservation ditches. |
Soil and water conservation districts and county engineers |
Unspecified
Reimbursement model
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June 1, 2027
(Rolling until) |
Federal funding opportunities
The table below contains a sampling of current federal grant or loan programs. A full list can be found on Grants.gov.
Grant Program
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Brief Summary
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Eligibility Criteria
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Amount Available
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Application Due Date
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| Continuum of Care and Youth Homelessness Program |
To provide funding to enable the quick rehousing of homeless individuals, families, and other vulnerable populations. |
General availability |
$4 billion available
Local match of at least 25%
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August 26, 2026 |
| Healthy Homes Production Grant Program |
To address multiple childhood diseases and injuries in the home by focusing on housing-related hazards in a coordinated fashion, rather than addressing a single hazard at a time. |
General availability
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$97.85 million available
Local "leverage" required (see full description for explanation)
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August 31, 2026 |
| Local Law Enforcement Grants for Enforcement of Cybercrimes Program |
To support the prevention, enforcement, and prosecution of cybercrimes against individuals (defined as criminal offenses that involve the use of a computer to harass, threaten, stalk, extort, coerce, cause fear to, or intimidate an individual, or without consent distribute intimate images of an adult). |
General availability |
$6.75 million available
No local match required
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September 1, 2026 |
| Wetland Mitigation Banking Program |
To support the development and establishment of mitigation banks and banking opportunities solely for agricultural producers with wetlands subject to the wetland conservation compliance provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985 (as amended). |
General availability |
$3 million available
Local match of 20% of project cost
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September 8, 2026 |
| Consolidated Youth Grant Program |
To support community-based efforts to develop or expand prevention, intervention, treatment, and response strategies addressing the needs of children and youth (ages 0-24) affected by domestic/dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and sex trafficking. It also supports work with men and youth to prevent those crimes. |
General availability |
$14 million available
No local match required
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September 8, 2026 |
| Training and Services to End Abuse in Later Life Program |
To support a comprehensive approach to addressing abuse in later life, including domestic/dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, neglect, abandonment, economic abuse, or willful harm committed against victims who are 50 years of age or older. |
General availability |
$8 million available
No local match required
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September 14, 2026 |
| Low or No Emission Bus Grant Program |
To support the purchase or lease of low-emission and zero-emission transit buses, including acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities. |
Local governments that operate fixed-route bus service. |
$589 million available
Local match of 20% required (some exceptions apply)
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September 21, 2026 |
| Buses and Bus Facilities Program |
To support the purchase, rehabilitate, or lease of buses and related equipment, and to support the construction, purchase, rehabilitation, or lease of bus-related facilities. |
Local governments that operate fixed-route bus service. |
$21 million available
Local match of 20% required (some exceptions apply)
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September 21, 2026 |
| North American Wetlands Conservation Act Standard |
To support projects that involve long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetlands and associated uplands habitats for the benefit of all wetlands-associated migratory birds. |
General availability |
$46 million available
1-to-1 local match required
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September 25, 2026 |
| Title X Family Planning Services Grants |
To promote the general family planning programs and goals under Title X of the Public Health Service Act. |
General availability |
Maximum award: $22 million
Local match of between 1% and 10%
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January 9, 2027 |
Top Each week Counties Current highlights the happenings in our counties in the words of their local media.
One story from each of the CCAO's five districts is highlighted, and on occasion other stories may be highlighted as well.
A paid subscription may be required to view the full article in some cases.
Northwest District
Mercer County takes over at Lakefield Airport
The Daily Standard, August 13, 2026
The Lakefield Airport Authority has been dissolved, and the ownership and operation of the Lakefield Airport has reverted to Mercer County under the control of the Mercer County Commissioners.
Mercer County Common Pleas Judge Matthew Fox issued the order of dissolution on July 27, ruling in favor of a a petition filed by the Lakefield Airport Authority.
LAA members had unanimously voted to dissolve effective Dec. 31, 2025, and to transfer all airport operations and responsibilities to the county commissioners. LAA held a special meeting alongside the county commissioners on Dec. 18. They learned there is scant statutory guidance regarding the dissolution of an airport board.
"Existing guidance indicates that a lawsuit must be filed to proceed with dissolution," meeting minutes state.
In a letter, Mercer County Prosecutor Erin Minor indicated that under special circumstances her office may represent the LAA for the limited purpose of dissolution, granted that all parties agree to a potential conflict of interest and sign a waiver.
Commissioners proceeded to do just that. They passed a resolution agreeing to a waiver of conflict of interest and permitting the prosecutor's office to represent LAA for the aforementioned limited purpose of dissolution.
"The Mercer County Commissioners are amenable to the dissolution of the Airport Authority and have no objection to taking over the ownership, management, and responsibility of the same," the resolution states.
The impetus behind the dissolution is largely the difficulty in consistently achieving a quorum of LAA members to conduct business, according to Commissioner Dave Buschur.
Officials worked behind the scenes for about a year or so to lay the groundwork for the LAA's disbandment and the assumption of its duties by the board of county commissioners.
"The membership of the board hadn't been at its fullest potential as what it was in the past," Buschur told The Daily Standard on Wednesday. "A lot of the members were getting older … but carried it on to try to keep it moving forward, hoping for more volunteers, because it is a volunteer board. They're unpaid. It just got to the point where they were ready to turn the airport over to the county to operate."
The transfer of power allows for "a clearer path forward," Buschur has maintained.
Northeast District
Cuyahoga County seeking $2-$20 parking rate increases to help close budget gap
Cleveland.com, August 10, 2026
After a decade without increasing parking rates, Cuyahoga County officials say they can no longer afford to keep prices where they are.
The county needs more money, now.
Public Works Director Michael Dever and Programming Administrator Nichole English told County Council this week that the county-owned garages and surface lots have millions of dollars in needed repairs and maintenance that current parking funds won’t cover. Without a rate increase to cover those costs, they said, the county would have to tap its already-strained general fund, potentially diverting dollars from other needs.
“We’ve looked at it as this smaller increase in monthly parking is better than not being able to fill positions or... [other] extreme conditions,” English said, referring to the county’s existing hiring freeze and the potential for furloughs if the county cannot balance the budget.
The county is seeking a levy renewal and increase to support health and human services programs for the same reasons.
“The idea is that we are trying to fill it this way so that we don’t have to ask for other cuts and other ways to fill the parking fund,” English said.
The county hasn’t raised parking rates since 2016, English said, even as maintenance costs have climbed. Officials considered an increase in 2020, she noted, but held off because of the pandemic.
But now, costs are rapidly outpacing revenue.
There’s currently about $5 million in the parking fund reserves, she said, and while the lot generated roughly $3.7 million in revenue last year, general expenses consistently exceed $4 million each year.
Central District
Third time’s the charm: Richland County secures state winter road salt contract
Richland Source, August 13, 2026
The third time was the charm in terms of winter road salt for Richland County.
County Engineer Adam Gove said Tuesday the state sought salt bids for a third time for a dozen counties around Ohio, none of which had received offers during two prior attempts.
This time, Richland County was successful and will receive 3,500 tons of salt through the state contract, albeit at more than $90 per ton, Gove said.
Under the terms of the contract, the salt will be off-loaded at the Ohio Dept. of Transportation outpost near the intersection of I-71 and Ohio 97.
Gove said the county will be responsible for picking it up and moving it to various locations
“We will have to either truck it or hire a trucking company to take it to our locations in Bellville, Mansfield and Shiloh,” Gove said.
Shortages and rising prices have been an issue in recent years in terms of inflating salt prices and also its availability. Published reports blame a myriad of factors, including systemic supply chain disruptions, localized terminal closures, and low carryover inventory resulting from a severe winter.
County commissioners on Tuesday approved Gove’s request to advertise a second time for salt through a local bidding process. The county received no offers in July when it sought a local contract.
All 3,500 tons through the state contract are for the 347 miles of county roads, according to Gove.
“That’s why we are rebidding the county contract because I’m trying not to leave townships and villages hanging out to dry. We want to try to help them find some salt, so we did make some changes to our usual county contract.
Southwest District
Ross County Courthouse Exterior Renovations to Start Soon
Buckeye Country 105.5, August 10, 2026
The first stage of exterior renovations of the Ross County Courthouse will start in September – from the top down – with scaffolding going up around the tower starting on August 17th.
The commissioners indulged me with a long interview after their August 6th, 2026 session, and this is the third of four segments. Hear the commissioners in their own words in the below interview.
The courthouse renovation project has been a few years in the making, and follows up on an almost $1M exterior renovation about 20 years ago that included replacing the belfry with a fiberglass replica.
The commissioners hosted a large meeting Monday morning between officials and employees who work in the courthouse, and the contractors for the renovations. The county judges shared their schedule through the end of the year to let the crew plan when construction noise needs to be avoided for court sessions.
They and the Ross County Sheriff’s Department also discussed security concerns, with scaffolding making roof access tempting.
Commissioner David Glass said the purpose of the meeting was to invite all officials and workers to get briefed on “the when and why of the project.” Commissioner Jack Everson said there was good communication between the parties.
Ross County Administrator Brad Cosenza said mobilization for the first scaffolding will start on August 17th, which will focus on painting the courthouse tower and replacing the weathervane.
Then scaffolding will go up around the courthouse perimeter in September, with the focus on replacing all the roofing. All work is planned to be completed mid-December.
Southeast District
County Commissioners approve capital improvement agreements
Logan Daily, August 15, 2026
During their Thursday meeting the Hocking County commissioners received a resolution from the county engineer to execute all contracts as required with the Ohio Public Works Commission’s state capital improvement and local transportation improvement program. These capital improvements include things like road resurfacing projects and a bridge replacement. This was approved.
The board also approved an agreement between Hocking County and the city of Logan to submit an application to the Ohio Public Works Commission for the county-city resurfacing project, for which the city will pay 65% of its portion of the total cost, and the county will pay 47.3% of its share, with the remaining 35% of the city’s cost and remaining 52.7% of the county’s cost being paid for through state reimbursement.
The commissioners also made a point to give credit to the Hocking County EMA director, who managed the response to flooding from this week’s storms in Hocking County, while also lending assistance in Perry County. Additional aid for this week’s flooding came from the county sheriff’s office, the Logan Fire Department, and multiple township firefighters.
The commissioners approved a certificate of additional revenue for the commissioners’ office from a TechCred Grant, and additional appropriations for the auditor and HVCRC. They also approved a pre-award condition for the Justice Assistance Grant that the sheriff’s office renews every year.
They also approved an agreement with JustFOIA, a company that helps assist with public records requests, making them faster and cheaper for both residents and the county in the long run.
The commissioners also received a list of delinquent county sewer accounts to be assessed in upcoming real estate taxes. The total amount of delinquent money from these accounts added up to $179,000. The list was approved. Top AUGUST 21
CEBCO Board of Directors Meeting
AUGUST 30 - SEPTEMBER 1
CCAO Summer Symposium
SEPTEMBER 1
CCAO Board of Directors Meeting (at Summer Symposium)
SEPTEMBER 7
Labor Day - Holiday
SEPTEMBER 18
CORSA Annual Membership Meeting
OCTOBER 2
CCAO/CEAO Southeast District Meeting (RSVP by September 15) Top
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