Butler County OKs land bank to fight blight

Entity will help cities get funds to raze abandoned buildings.

By Lauren Pack, Staff Writer Updated 12:06 AM Friday, May 25, 2012

HAMILTON — A looming deadline to apply for federal money pushed an effort by local officials to quickly establish a land bank. County commission approved the effort Thursday, but not without a debate.

Officials from Middletown and Hamilton, the two cities urging the formation of a land reutilization program to allow them to procure millions in state money for property demolition, were in attendance supporting the effort.

Commissioner Don Dixon voiced concerns in the past that the land bank would create more bureaucracy and could take tax money from school districts by earmarking cash that typically goes to schools to fund the local match. But under the agreement forged by Hamilton and Middletown officials, who are working to raze abandoned homes and blighted properties, the cities will match funds, thus the land bank will remain “county unfunded.”

“This is just to enable the two largest cities to take advantage of a pool of money and administer where it goes and how it is used,” Dixon said. “The county is a pass through ... we aren’t hiring staff.”

Commissioner Cindy Carpenter said she had not had a chance to read documents provided to her and did not feel comfortable voting on the resolution, asking to hold a work session to further vet the proposal. She added she was not aware the proposal was moving so quickly.

“I am saying give me an opportunity to review; it’s not an extraordinary request,” Carpenter said.

County treasurer Nancy Nix said Carpenter has had months to approach organizers of the proposal and ask questions or attend meetings for discussion.

“I emailed you that we could meet whenever you wanted to discuss it. You never responded,” Nix said.

With commissioners Dixon and Charles Furmon in agreement, the discussion moved forward.

Butler County Land Reutilization Corp. will be the lead entity for requesting $2.6 million of the $75 million in demolition funds set aside by the Ohio attorney general. Participating municipalities, which at present are Hamilton and Middletown, will be responsible for the matching local funds. All but $500,000 must be matched.

Forming a land bank to pursue the money is the best way because a land bank, or a County Land Reutilization Corp., clears properties of titles and taxes and provides cash for demolition.

“We have a need for a tool like this,” Hamilton City Manager Joshua Smith said. “And we have an obligation to prove it will work.”

According to Census data, the county had more than 12,000 vacant residential housing units.

Carpenter said she was not against a land bank, but said she wanted to make sure that everyone’s rights are protected, including those of property owners, and that there is a specific plan for how the property is chosen and a contract that spells out the city’s matching funding.

The resolution establishing the county land bank passed with a 2-1 vote. Carpenter cast a no vote.