Commissioners: State of county strong – Delaware Gazette

The state of Delaware County is robust and rising, stated its three commissioners throughout their annual presentation to the general public Tuesday morning on the Fairgrounds’ new Agricultural Middle.

Board of Commissioners President Barb Lewis opened by saying the state of the county is robust, and the rationale for that’s the partnerships which have been shaped between native governments, organizations and people.

“All through the pandemic, we labored arduous to remain linked, to strengthen and develop our group partnerships,” Lewis stated, “as a result of we all know that collectively, we’re stronger.”

“We’ve a lot to have fun right here in Delaware County,” Commissioner Jeff Benton stated, “and it begins with the partnerships we now have with one another.”

“Management by your county-elected township trustees, metropolis and village officers, and every of you made our continued progress potential,” Commissioner Gary Merrell stated.

Every commissioner highlighted their areas of curiosity, emphasizing the partnerships and asking leaders to face up and be acknowledged with applause. For Lewis, it was the social internet that helps folks keep away from being evicted and turns lives round with commencement from particular court-system dockets. For Merrell, it was the buildings, infrastructure, utilities and enterprise parks that can continue to grow townships like Berlin and Orange affluent. For Benton, it was the revitalized fairgrounds, and native transportation companies such because the Delaware Municipal Airport and Delaware County Transit.

By the numbers, Delaware remains to be the fastest-growing county in Ohio. The inhabitants grew 23% from 2010 to 2020, and the full inhabitants was 214,124 within the 2020 U.S. Census. Of that inhabitants, 55.5% of adults have a bachelor’s diploma or increased; 39.2 is the median age; and at 23%, the biggest inhabitants group is Era Z, born between 1999-2016.

On account of the expansion, there was a 23% enhance in residential permits; an 11.5% enhance in business permits; and a 27% enhance in sewer faucet connections, the county stated in a handout given to visitors on the presentation.

Infrastructure investments are being made, with $80 million projected in regional sewer capital tasks in 2022-2023. There have been two new sewer pump stations accomplished in 2021. There may be additionally $35 million projected in highway building tasks this 12 months.

The county’s 2022 common fund price range is $128.8 million, with $76.8 million acquired in gross sales tax income in 2021. There was a 15.5% enhance in gross sales tax income from 2020 to 2021, the county stated.

County Administrator Tracie Davies served as emcee for the hour-long occasion, and temporary promotional movies touting the county had been proven between every commissioner. Communications workers for the county stated about 200 movers and shakers from the county and past attended the occasion, which had been held the final couple of years on the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Powell.

Gary Budzak could also be reached at 740-413-0906 or on Twitter @GaryBudzak.