# Bridging Governance: How London City Council and Madison County Commissioners Tackle Regional Challenges

In Madison County, the work of governing doesn't stop at city limits. While the London City Council and the Madison County Board of Commissioners operate as separate bodies, their agendas frequently intersect on shared priorities—infrastructure, economic development, and public services. A review of recent meetings reveals a pattern of coordination, shared challenges, and complementary efforts that shape the region's future.

## Economic Development: Opportunity Zones and Regional Investment

One of the clearest examples of city-county collaboration emerged during the June 4 London City Council meeting, when Savannah Andrews, executive director of economic development for Madison County, presented on the federal Opportunity Zone program. Andrews told council that a downtown London census tract qualifies as a rural tax area under the program, which offers capital gains tax deferments for long-term investments in designated low-income areas.

Andrews requested a letter of support or resolution from council backing the designation. Council members expressed enthusiasm, with Councilwoman Shannon thanking Andrews "for cluing us into London’s forthcoming opportunity." The council agreed to consider drafting a resolution, though no formal vote was taken.

This presentation underscores how the county's economic development office serves as a bridge to federal programs that benefit the city. The county's role in identifying and promoting such opportunities is a recurring theme—the commissioners themselves have been active in pursuing state and federal grants, including Ohio Department of Transportation grants for fuel tank replacement and airport improvements, approved during their May 26 meeting.

## Infrastructure: Drainage, Sewer, and Road Projects

Infrastructure needs do not respect jurisdictional boundaries. The commissioners' June 2 meeting featured a major drainage project: the Galworth conservation ditch off Dyer Road near I-71, funded through the H2Ohio program at an estimated cost of $860,000. The project will convert a waterway tile to an open ditch, with completion expected in about two years. Commissioners were asked to sign an agreement to encumber funds.

Meanwhile, the city council on June 4 dealt with its own infrastructure concerns. Mayor Clawser reported that the city received between six and eight inches of rain over the past two weeks, and council members praised city employees for their response. The council also accepted a sole bid from Rumpke for sanitation services at $20.75 per residential pickup for a three-year contract, with the administration tasked to coordinate a transition plan.

The commissioners also confronted infrastructure cost challenges. During their May 26 meeting, a bid opening for the Village of Out-Stairing Sewer Improvement Project revealed a low bid of $678,807.75—far exceeding the engineer's estimate of $379,150. Staff said they would follow up with the engineer to review the bids and determine next steps, a reminder that infrastructure projects often face cost overruns that require careful fiscal management.

## Public Safety: Sheriff's Building and Police Chief Search

Public safety emerged as a shared priority across both bodies. The commissioners on May 26 approved a preliminary design contract with Stark Conway Architects for a new Sheriff's Office and 911 Dispatch Center. County Executive Britt Wallace noted the county was scheduled to close on the property June 3, and that moving into preliminary design was necessary to proceed with a USDA Rural Development Grant application.

The city council, meanwhile, is conducting its own search for a new police chief. Mayor Clawser reported during the June 4 meeting that the first police chief exam was held with three candidates, and the next phase of testing would be coordinated with civil service. While the city and county handle their own law enforcement leadership, the parallel efforts highlight a shared need for effective public safety administration.

Sheriff John Wever, reporting to commissioners on June 2, provided updates on operations, including a successful pursuit that ended with a PIT maneuver and the suspect taken into custody. He also noted the office needs interim funding to sustain the Emergency Management Agency for a couple of months until grant money arrives—a recurring issue every two to three years. The sheriff also mentioned plans to implement an "eyeball notification program" to send out alerts, a service that would benefit both county and city residents.

## Fiscal Coordination: Grants, Budgets, and Shared Resources

Both bodies are actively pursuing external funding to reduce the burden on local taxpayers. The commissioners approved multiple grant applications in May, including ODOT grants for infrastructure and airport improvements, and a Community Development Block Grant public hearing notice. The city council, for its part, is exploring the natural gas aggregation program (Ordinance 140-26), which would allow residents to opt into a government-negotiated gas supply rate—a measure Mayor Clawser said must reach the ballot by August.

The commissioners also approved a resolution increasing appropriations for the purchase of a vehicle for the county DARE officer, as well as budget adjustments within the 2026 gas tax budget. These decisions, while routine, reflect the ongoing need to allocate limited resources across competing priorities.

## Looking Ahead

The relationship between London City Council and Madison County Commissioners is not one of formal merger but of practical interdependence. The county's economic development office brings federal opportunities to the city's doorstep. The city manages its own sanitation and police services while the county handles major drainage projects and a new sheriff's facility. Both bodies pursue grants, manage budgets, and respond to infrastructure challenges that affect all residents.

As the Opportunity Zone designation moves forward and the sheriff's building design progresses, the coming months will test how effectively these two bodies can align their efforts. For now, the record shows a region where city and county officials are aware of each other's work—and are taking steps to coordinate where it matters most.