Madison County Board of Commissioners approves routine resolutions, continues Snider Ditch hearing amid flooding complaints

MADISON COUNTY, Ohio — The Madison County Board of Commissioners on June 16 approved a series of routine resolutions and continued a public hearing on a drainage project after property owners voiced frustration over persistent flooding and lack of maintenance.

The board voted 3-0 to approve minutes from the previous meeting, authorize payment of invoices, support designation of census tract 909704700 as an opportunity zone 2.2 site, approve a contract with Madison Commercial Electric for second-floor courthouse lighting improvements, and authorize inter fund transfers for the Madison County Family and Children First Council.

The main focus of the meeting was the first public hearing on the Snider Ditch extension, a project intended to address flooding issues in the area. An engineer presented several options, including regrading waterways, upsizing culverts, and installing tile drainage.

Property owners expressed frustration, with one resident noting they had submitted multiple complaints and cited Ohio Revised Code requiring a report within 30 days, but six months had passed without action. The board continued the hearing to July 21 at 9:30 a.m. for further study and cost estimates.

The Madison County Park District also met during the session, reporting record camper numbers and a successful Strawberry Bicycle Tour fundraiser. The district discussed a $23,000 trail design proposal and addressed tick concerns after a trail user reported an increase in tick populations. Officials said they have seen a population increase over recent years due to milder winters and offered to inspect the area.

Commissioners also discussed recruitment taxes owed on a recently purchased 10-acre parcel. County staff said the amount is $3,537.93, and noted there is no state law specifying whether the buyer or seller is responsible for the tax. The board agreed to pay the tax to allow the property split to move forward.

In other business, County Executive Tom Sweeney reported that the sheriff’s office launched its junior deputy academy with 50 children attending, and that a joint operation with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation included a canine unit and crime scene training for youth.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for July 21.

Key moments

Significant Part 2 · 18:48

Snider Ditch public hearing begins

Home wrap is now 9:10. This is the moment everyone's been waiting for. The Snider G first public hearing and the floor is yours, sir.

Contentious

Property owner complaint about ditch maintenance

I've submitted multiple complaints about that not being maintained all the way back to February and it's prenating. So according to high revised code, if I submit a written complaint about your maintenance ditch not flowing, you are required to provide a report to me in 30 days and we're like 6 months.

Significant Part 2 · 45:10

Hearing continued to July 21

Okay. I would just say July 21st. Okay. So, we'll move to continue the hearing to July 21st.

Significant

Park District trail design proposal

They came back with a tenative proposal which you know we we've kind of reviewed at least briefly and so they're in the right it's like $23,000 for the full um process.

Significant

Recruitment taxes discussion

We wanted to um discuss the um the transfer department's office location. Um there's some charges that are recruitment cost... $3,537930.

Full analysis

Show structured analysis

Meeting Analysis

Madison County (OH) Board of Commissioners — 2026-06-16

Meeting Information

Title: Board of Commissioners Meeting 6/16/2026

Parish: Madison County (OH) Board of Commissioners

Date: 2026-06-16

Video: Recording

Transcript segments: 1367

Item	Description	Action	Vote Status
Approval of minutes	Motion to approve and dispense with reading of previous meeting minutes.	Approved by roll call vote.	Unanimous (3-0)
Resolution approving payment of invoices	Resolution to approve payment of invoices by Mass County order.	Approved by roll call vote.	Unanimous (3-0)
Resolution supporting opportunity zone designation	Resolution supporting designation of census tract 909704700 in Northern Mass County as an opportunity zone 2.2 site.	Approved by roll call vote.	Unanimous (3-0)
Resolution approving courthouse lighting contract	Resolution approving a contract with Madison Commercial Electric for second floor courthouse lighting improvements.	Approved by roll call vote.	Unanimous (3-0)
Resolution approving inter fund transfers for Family and Children First Council	Resolution approving inter fund transfers for the Madison County Family and Children First Council.	Approved by roll call vote.	Unanimous (3-0)
Snider Ditch extension public hearing (first hearing)	First public hearing on the Snider Ditch extension to address flooding issues. Engineer presented options including regrading waterways, upsizing culverts, and installing tile. Property owners expressed concerns about maintenance and flooding.	Hearing continued to July 21, 2026 at 9:30 AM for further study and cost estimates.	Continued
Park District meeting	Madison County Park District meeting covering camper report, Strawberry Bicycle Tour fundraiser, property appraisal adjustments, trail development proposal, and tick concerns.	Minutes and financial report approved; next meeting set for July 21, 2026.	Approved

Helicopter priced at over $1.2 million, deemed above budget.
Road reconstruction on 42 near Speedway and Eagle Bridge: total investment about $4 million over last couple years, including $500,000 from solar company and $500,000 from general fund (discretionary solar contributions).
Park District: $23,000 tentative proposal for trail design from Designing Local.
Recruitment taxes owed on 10-acre parcel: $3,537.93.

Flooding and inadequate drainage on properties near Snider Ditch.
Lack of timely maintenance response from county on drainage ditches.
Tick population increase along trails.

Snider Ditch extension: property owners frustrated with lack of maintenance and flooding; one owner submitted multiple complaints and cited Ohio Revised Code requiring a report within 30 days, but six months had passed.

Sheriff's Office

Junior deputy academy kicked off with 50 kids attending.
Joint operations with canine unit and BCI for crime scene training.
Helicopter priced at over $1.2 million, above budget.
Drone program contract developed with Fort Worth company.

Engineer's Office

Road reconstruction on 42 near Speedway and Eagle Bridge: paving completed, striping pending.
Original Slate Run road expected open by end of week.
Original Betty Wilson road expected open in about a week.
Snider Ditch extension first hearing held; continued to July 21.
42 reconstruction project (center turn lane) starting soon between Speedway and Eagle Bridge.

Park District

Camper count: 120 as of June 7, highest year to date.
23rd annual London Strawberry Bicycle Tour fundraiser: third highest year ever.
Appraisal and survey adjusted for property purchase; waiting on OSI/Mick Southern to finish.
Tentative proposal from Designing Local for trail design: $23,000.
Bridge over senior center painted.
Gutter/fascia issues on shell rounds being addressed.
Tick concerns: staff spoke with resident, offered to inspect and provide prevention info.

Soil and Water

Angel Jack paraph ride scheduled for July 11 from 9-11 AM.

Engineer to gather more elevations and cost estimates for Snider Ditch extension options, including regrading ditch along 42.
Park District to continue working with Designing Local on trail design proposal.
Staff to handle payment of recruitment taxes on 10-acre parcel.