LANDSLIDE

In the race for the open Warren County commissioner seat, Republican Dave Young blew away write-in candidate Jack Chrisman in Tuesday's election, 63,869 votes to 123 votes, according to unofficial election returns. "It is so incredibly humbling," Young said about the results. "Now comes the business of actually governing these people. ... I'm diving in already." Young will take the commissioner seat Larry Crisenbery has held for more than a decade. Commissioner Pat South ran unopposed, so she retains her seat. Unlike the current commissioners, Young is not in favor of impact fees. The Mason businessman and father of three also wants to encourage business development and create a high-tech business corridor that starts in Mason and heads north.

Before approving a new countywide emergency radio system, or upgrading roads, commissioners want to see if the legislature cuts so-called local government funds.

Butler County receives $17 million from the state. About $5.5 million goes into the county general fund, and the rest is distributed to townships, cities and villages.

"We hear all kinds of rumors - that it will be all gone, or cut as much as 50 percent. We know it's going to take a hit. We just don't know how much," says Derek Conklin, county administrator.

Commissioners have kept a tight hold on this year's budget because of fluctuating sales tax receipts. Sales tax revenues have averaged 6 percent over last year - but 2 percent under projections, says Greg Jolivette.

Once past their budget woes, commissioners say their priorities are a new 800 MHz digital countywide emergency radio system, and pushing along a trio of highway projects - widening Ohio 4 Bypass, the Liberty interchange connecting Interstate 75 and Ohio 129 to Hamilton-Mason and Cox roads, and extending Ohio 63 to Trenton.

Commissioner Michael A. Fox and Jolivette have said that residential incentive districts would be used to fund highways. County infrastructure improvements are paid for by anticipated increased tax revenues from the developed property.

Good roads pave the way for new jobs and economic development, said Commissioner Charles Furmon.

"When you look at the traffic maze in Butler County - and what the Michael Fox Highway (Ohio 129) has done - that's an indicator of what these other highways can do for Butler County," Furmon said.

Early next year, commissioners will receive a consultant's report on how to fund a $25 million countywide communications system so all police and fire departments can speak to one other. Voters could be asked to approve a tax for the radio system for a specific number of years, said Furmon, a retired Hamilton police officer.

"People feel like they're overtaxed now, there's no question about it. But our radio systems are so antiquated it's pathetic," Furmon said.

Jolivette said commissioners will work hard at communicating with township and other local government leaders. Last spring, relations were strained with township trustees and Lakota Schools leaders when commissioners attempted to enact residential incentive districts.

E-mail jkiesewetter@enquirer.com