Fairfield County Commissioners | Full Meeting | May 2, 2023

The full meeting of the Fairfield County Commissioners' weekly meeting for May 2, 2023. This week's meeting featured the 1st Quarter 2023 Budget Update with Budget Director Bart Hampson and county administrative update.

The public comments portion primarily centered on the proposed Eastern Cottontail Solar Project. On the pro side was Craig Uhl for the labor union work the project will bring and Laborers International Union Local 423 representative Paris Walker making the same point and that it will help with Ohio energy independence.

On the con side were Scott Barr of citizens group Protect Amanda Township making the case for protecting prime farmland; Melissa Hoover, arguing that property rights operate within the guidelines of zoning; Sherry Pymer, relayed negative stories from a similar Ohio solar project called Yellowbud and Ray Stemen talked about Iowa farmers losing their lands to solar projects through imminent domain. Ray also made an appeal for prayer.

Francis Martin took a middle position stating a compromise could be found to preserve the farm land while using other areas of the county for solar projects.

Additionally, Judy Stemen rhetorically questioned how the commissioners made their decisions and if they were protecting the Constitutional rights of the citizens. At the conclusion of the Public Comments portion, Commissioner Davis took umbrage to Judy's comments; particularly about Constitutional rights.

Agenda Links:
https://www.co.fairfield.oh.us/COMMISH/agenda/review-agenda-05.02.23.pdf
https://www.co.fairfield.oh.us/COMMISH/agenda/agenda-05.02.23.pdf

This is a recording off a public access Microsoft TEAMS Meeting. This will be an on-going series whenever possible to capture the regular meetings.

More information about the County Commissioners' meetings can be found at https://www.co.fairfield.oh.us/COMMISH/. We also encourage more online and; most importantly, in-person participation. The meetings occur most Tuesday mornings at 9:00a at 210 E. Main Street, Third Floor, Lancaster, OH 43130.