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Sue Kiesewetter reports:

For the third consecutive year, Christine Matacic will lead the Liberty Township Board of Trustees.

Christine Matacic was elected the 2013 president of the Liberty Township Board of Trustees. Photo provided.

Matacic was re-elected president during the group’s organizational meeting this week. Trustee Pat Hiltman was elected vice-president, replacing trustee David Kern.

A nearly 32-year resident of the township, Matacic was re-elected to a third term as trustee in November 2009. She served as president from 2003-2007.

Matacic is serving or has served on the following boards of directors: Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments; Butler County Regional Transit Authority; West Chester-Liberty Chamber Alliance and the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority.

Hiltman and Dale Chalk will continue to serve another year on the Volunteer Firefighters’ Dependents Fund for 2013. Kern will continue as the board’s representative to the Butler County Emergency Management Agency’s Advisory Council.

The trustees will continue to meet at 6 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at the administrative offices, 6400 Princeton Road.

This month, however, the Jan. 15 meeting has been moved up one day, to Jan. 14 to accommodate the work schedule of Hiltman.

Posted in: Government, News |

Tags: Tags: Christine Matacic, Liberty Township board of trustees, Liberty Township trustee, Liberty Township Trustee Christine Matacic, Liberty Township trustees

Sue Kiesewetter reports:

Declining federal and state dollars won’t deter Liberty Township officials from balancing their budget this year.

With revenues estimated at $19.7 million and expenses projected at $19.8 million, officials are confident that through careful spending they won’t have to dip into reserves to balance this year’s budget.

“We won’t spend everything that we budgeted,” said Caroline McKinney, economic development director and spokeswoman. “All projects and capital expenses will be thoroughly analyzed and we will look for other financing opportunities. Our best intention is to have a balanced budget.”

Trustees adopted the 2013 budget that includes appropriations of nearly $1.9 million in the general fund – used for the day-to-day operations of the township – along with $5.3 million in the fire fund; $327,400 in the ambulance fund; and $2.3 million in the police fund.

For the second year trustees removed money to purchase a new engine truck to replace a 1999 vehicle. Trustees also scaled back dollars requested for a new staff vehicle for the fire department.

“We need to scale back,’’ said Trustee Pat Hiltman. “We have to think differently. There’s a need and a want. We need to cut our costs down.”

Hiltman said a full review of the fire department should be done early in 2013, including an examination of staffing to see if any positions can be reduced. He suggested nine full-time positions – one per shift, per fire station.

About 44 percent of the township’s revenues come from levies or emergency services billing but 51 percent of next year’s expenses will come from that department.

Money has been set aside to replace wood chips at Dudley, Liberty and Fort Liberty parks; add a shelter at Dudley Park; along with replacing a merry-go-round and slide at the Reserves Park.

Another $10,000 has been earmarked to complete the first phase of a path around Wilhelmina Park.

Money is also included for a Millikin Road and Hawthorne Hills hike and bicycle connection, phase two of the redesign of the Ohio 129 and Ohio 747 entrance and exit ramp planting beds, which will reduce maintenance with the planting of grass and evergreens.

The township will look for grant opportunities to fund park and other projects, McKinney said.

Posted in: Government, News |

Tags: Tags: board of trustees, Caroline McKinney, Liberty Township board of trustees, Liberty Township board of trustees meeting, Liberty Township trustee, Liberty Township Trustee Pat Hiltman, Liberty Township trustees, Pat Hiltman

Sue Kieswetter reports:

An open house will allow Liberty Township residents, businessmen and others to review progress on the update of the community’s Vision Plan.

From 5 to 8 p.m. this Thursday, there will be stations set up throughout the trustee’s meeting room at the administration building, 6400 Princeton Road. Each station will address one of eight topics.

This is the first major update of the township’s comprehensive plan since its 2006 adoption, said Jon West, director of planning and zoning. There have been two minor updates.

“We have to identify the long term vision of who we want to be when we grow up,’’ West said.

To do that, members of the 25-person Vision Plan Steering Committee will be attending a planning workshop. But before that happens, the committee wants the community to evaluate progress since the last public hearing held in April.

“Here’s the track we’re on. Do you agree with the direction?” West said. “Review our progress and give us feedback.”

Members of the steering committee will be available to answer questions and receive comments on the topics at each station. The community will be asked to provide comments on economic development; land use and development; image and identification; trails, sidewalks and bike paths; transportation and infrastructure; public facilities and government; and parks and recreation.

“It’s critical we properly plan for the future of our community so this open house is an important step to gather feedback from residents and business owners,’’ said Christine Matacic, president of the board of trustees.

“The Vision Plan update will help us best direct our efforts to promote the growth of our commercial tax base with minimal impact on existing residents while preserving the character of the Liberty Township that more than 37,000 people call home.”

The public can view the committee’s progress and follow along through a new tab under the ‘planning/zoning’ section of the township’s website, www.liberty-township.com.

There, the steering committee has posted PowerPoint presentations, the 2006 comprehensive plan, meeting minutes, demographic information and several land use and other maps.

The township will also accept comments online from those not able to attend the meeting.

For more information, call 513-759-7500.

Posted in: Events, Government, News |

Tags: Tags: Christine Matacic, liberty township, Liberty Township trustee, Liberty Township Vision Plan, Liberty Township Vision Plan committee

The largest retail development to hit Butler County received its first nod Friday when trustees promised public financing for infrastructure to accommodate the $300 million project.

Now it’s up to county commissioners to seal their end of the deal on Monday.

Township trustees approved a memorandum of understanding between the township, the county and Libertytown LLC, promising $5 million in tax increment financing to help fund $56 million in road improvements and a parking garage for the proposed project at Liberty Way and Interstate 75.

Developer Steiner + Associates also had asked county commissioners for $55 million toward infrastructure improvements for the “life style” retail center which would be similar to Easton Town Center in Columbus and The Greene in Beavercreek.

But, it appears Steiner will only get $30 million from the county when commissioners cast their vote at Monday’s regular session.

Commissioner Chuck Furmon said Friday that the county has proposed contributing $20 million in existing funds from a Tax Increment Financing District, with another $10 million — possibly in $5 million increments — as Steiner reaches certain benchmarks in the project.

The money would back bonds that would be sold to pay for infrastructure.

“We want them to reach what they say they are going to do before we give the other $10 (million),” Furmon said.

Township trustees set several conditions on Steiner, including a prohibition on raiding other successful retail projects in Butler County such as Bridgewater Falls in Fairfield Township to fill Liberty Town Square.

Trustee Christine Matacic said Friday’s action was a preliminary step in getting Liberty Town Square off the ground.

Development and financing agreements still have to be finalized, she said.

“This is not a done deal, but we are cautiously optimistic that all three parties can move forward together,” she said.

The first phase of the project, worth $177 million on 60 acres, is expected to open around May 2014 with two department stores, specialty retail shops, a mix of restaurants, 100,000 square feet of class A office space and about 150 high-end apartments. Groundbreaking is expected by November.

Improvements to Cincinnati-Dayton Road at the Ohio 129 interchange, partly to accommodate the increase in traffic from Liberty Town Square, already are being planned.

Yaromir Steiner, who founded the Columbus-based development company, has said construction of Liberty Town Square will add 3,200 jobs during construction and another 4,600 permanent jobs for people who work there when shops open.

The much-touted development was abruptly put on hold in 2008 when the economy tanked.

Since then, it has been scaled back in size and value. Steiner initially proposed the project at $500 million. When completed, Liberty Town Square will sit on 100 acres and include up to 2.5 million square feet of commercial space.

Posted in: Business, Government, News |

Tags: Tags: Christine Matacic, I-75, Interstate 75, Liberty Town Square, Liberty Township trustee, Liberty Township Trustee Christine Matacic, Liberty Township trustees, Liberty Way, Liberty Way Interchange, Liberty Way project, Libertytown LLC, Steiner + Associates

Cincinnati Enquirer’s Sue Kiesewetter reports:

Expenses in Liberty Township’s 2012 approved budget could exceed revenues by as much as $518,000.

But township officials say they expect that number to decrease.

“Because it’s in the budget doesn’t mean we’ll spend it,’’ said Trustee Pat Hiltman. “We’re going to be real tight for the next 18 months.”

The approved budget includes projected revenues of $19,641,505 and expenses of $20,159,778. Included in that figure is $10.6 million for operations, which is lower than 2011’s estimated operating revenue.

The shortfall between revenue and expenses will come from carryover and reserve funds, said Kristen Bitonte, finance director.

“There’s no guarantee everything in there will be approved,” Bitonte said. “It could be less and that’s the goal.”

Although items are included in the budget trustees approve most large expenditures on a case by case basis after reviewing bids.

No employee layoffs or service reductions are planned for 2012. Instead it will be a year of maintaining existing services and programs. (more…)

Posted in: Government, News |

Tags: Tags: Christine Matacic, Liberty Township Administrator, Liberty Township Administrator Dina Minneci, Liberty Township trustee, Liberty Township Trustee Christine Matacic, Liberty Township Trustee David Kern, Liberty Township Trustee Pat Hiltman, Liberty Township trustees, Pat Hiltman

Below is the full article written by Sue Kiesewetter for the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Trustee Pat Hiltman has one word to describe Liberty Township’s proposed 2012 budget: austere.

“That’s the theme for 2012 – and (it will) carry forward,” Hiltman said.

Total revenues in the 2012 budget are estimated at $19.6 million, which includes $10.6 million for operations – lower than 2011’s estimated operating revenue.

Administrator Dina Minneci said she expects local government dollars from the state to decline in 2012 and be gone by 2013. Those dollars had averaged $650,000 over the past five years.

Projected expenses for 2012 are $20.4 million, about $1 million higher than the 2011 estimated expenses. Contributing to that increase include health insurance increases, a newly established $14,000 payment to the Butler County Emergency Management Agency, contract provisions and large capital expenses including some postponed from this year.

Despite the dismal outlook for 2012, no layoffs or service reductions are planned for the year, said Caroline McKinney, township spokeswoman and economic development director.

“We absolutely have to squeeze every nickel and dime,’’ said trustee David Kern.

Carryover and reserve funds will make up the difference between revenues and expenses.
Trustees are expected to approve a final budget at a special meeting called for 8 a.m. Dec. 30 at administrative offices.

Posted in: Government, News |

Tags: Tags: Butler County Emergency Management Agency, Caroline McKinney, Liberty Township Administrator, Liberty Township Administrator Dina Minneci, Liberty Township spokesperson Caroline McKinney, Liberty Township trustee, Liberty Township Trustee David Kern, Liberty Township Trustee Pat Hiltman, Liberty Township trustees, Pat Hiltman

Liberty Township trustees will not return to their normal meeting schedule until the second meeting in August.

Trustees have moved the first meeting of the month up one day, from Tuesday, Aug. 2 to Monday, Aug. 1. It will begin at 6 p.m., at the administration building, 6400 Princeton Road.

Beginning Aug. 16, trustees will resume their regular meeting schedule on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, beginning at 6 p.m.

They have been meeting on a revised schedule most of the summer to accommodate trustees’ schedules.

The township’s board of zoning appeals will meet at 7 p.m., Aug. 9, as scheduled, in the administration building.

For more information, call 513-759-7500.

Posted in: Government, News |

Tags: Tags: Liberty Township government, Liberty Township trustee, Liberty Township trustees, trustee meeting changes

Liberty Township trustees approved a two-year extension on the preliminary plans for the Liberty Way project Monday, according to a report on Cincinnati.com. The project is a proposed $500 million development that will be located at the Liberty Way intersection of Interstate 75.

The development, Liberty Town Square, would cover 110 acres and include a cinema, luxury apartments, restaurants, offices and retailers.

Sue Kisewetter covered the story for the Cincinnati Enquirer:

The project, once described as a potential jewel along the lines of the Streets of West Chester a couple of exits south, would be developed by Columbus-based Steiner. It includes 1.1 million square feet devoted to retail shops and restaurants, another 660,000 square feet of space for office use, 2,400 seats in one or more cinemas, 435 hotel rooms and 426 apartments.

“In many ways (they’re) picking up where we left off,” said Caroline McKinney, Liberty Township’s economic development director. “There’s still a whole lot of pieces that have to align themselves and fall into place. This is the kind of project we envision for the interchange.”

Plans called for the project to be developed in at least two phases over several years. When completed, it was estimated to have a value of $500 million.

It was abruptly put on hold late in 2008 when the economy tanked. In the last nine months, developers have managed to get 93 acres under option for the project.

For the entire story, visit Cincinnati.com’s post “Liberty Way project gains new life.”

Posted in: Government, News |

Tags: Tags: I-75, Interstate 75, Liberty Town Square, Liberty Township trustee, Liberty Township trustees, Liberty Way, Liberty Way Interchange, Liberty Way project. Liberty Way, Streets of West Chester

The House Republican Caucus selected Margaret Conditt Tuesday, June 7, to fill the 55th District seat left empty last month when Bill Coley was appointed to replace Gary Cates in the Ohio Senate, according to Cincinnati.com.

Conditt, who is a retired chemist and a former Liberty Township trustee, was among 13 Republicans who applied for the appointment and was the top vote getter of four candidates recommended by the Butler County GOP.

Cincinnati.com reporter Sheila McLaughlin covered the selection:

The others were central committee member George Nafziger of West Chester, current Liberty Township Trustee Christine Matacic, and Don Spurlock, a West Chester businessman who has run a number of campaigns for Butler County politicians.

Conditt will be sworn in Wednesday during a House session.

Conditt, who served as a Liberty Township trustee from 1998 to 2001, retired from serving in Professional and Scientific Relations at Procter & Gamble in 2006. She received her Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Colorado.

She has remained active in various Republican endeavors, such as working with the Butler County Republican Party, serving as a delegate alternate for the Republican National Convention in 2008, and assisting with various statewide and national political campaigns.

Coley left his House seat to fill the Senate seat left by West Chester’s Gary Cates, who was appointed by Gov. John Kasich as senior vice chancellor for the division of Innovation and Enterprise Development at the Ohio Board of Regents.

Coley, who was serving his fourth term representing House District 55, was barred from running for his House seat again because of term limits.

For more on story, visits Cincinnati.com’s “Retired chemist replaces Coley in House.”

Posted in: Government, News |

Tags: Tags: Bill Coley, Christine Matacic, Don Spurlock, Gary Cates, George Nafziger, Liberty Township trustee, Margaret Conditt, Senator Bill Coley, Senator Gary Cates, State Rep. Bill Coley