Delaware County Commissioners Jeff Benton, Barb Lewis and Gary Merrell hosted their ninth annual State of the County event today at the newly renovated Ohioan Hotel and Event Center. The location, formerly branded as the Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center, saw nearly 240 people attend the one-hour presentation.
In addition to touting upcoming events celebrating the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, the Commissioners spotlighted County building projects that are wrapping up or starting, including a renovation of the Willis Building, which houses the Board of Elections, and an expansion of the County’s wastewater treatment facility on Rt. 315. Numerous economic-development advances also were mentioned, which have benefited from years of investment in Sawmill Parkway, Wilson Road and Home Road.
While much of the event serves as an opportunity to showcase achievements in the last year, the Commissioners also used this year’s event to share information about ongoing property-tax reform and relief. Delaware County has provided rollbacks on the “inside millage” property taxes it can collect for many years, including a 1-mill rollback since 2007. An additional 0.5-mill rollback, enacted in 2022, has provided $25 million in tax relief to the County’s property owners.
A video featuring Delaware County Auditor George Kaitsa also addressed the issue of tax reform.
“As you are likely aware, there is a movement afoot in this state that would abolish property taxes,” Kaitsa said in the video. “No one wants to pay more taxes, but the total elimination of property taxes – without a thoughtful and well-reasoned plan to replace that revenue – would do irreparable damage to our schools, our roads, our parks, our police and fire services as well as the many other services that we all depend on each day.”
Kaitsa went on to explain the reforms already taking place.
In their presentations, the Commissioners also spotlighted the progress that the County continues to make with its roads and the facilities that serve the public, all without incurring debt.
These projects include a $35.8 million Shared Services Building on the County’s Byxbe Campus that will house the County’s Job & Family Services Department, the Board of Developmental Disabilities, the Delaware-Morrow Mental Health & Recovery Services Board, and Veterans’ Services Office. A groundbreaking ceremony will take place May 18, 2026, and construction is slated to be complete by late 2027.
The event concluded with a surprise video honoring Commissioner Barb Lewis. Lewis, who has served as a Commissioner since 2015 and as a Genoa Township Trustee before that, will be retiring after December 2026 when her current term ends.
“Your passion, courage, tenacity and strength of character will be missed,” said Commissioner Merrell in the video.
Added Commissioner Benton: “Together we have navigated a lot of change and smart growth in Delaware County, and you have always kept the people you serve top of mind in doing so.”
The video concluded with a testimonial from Dustin, a resident Lewis has never met, but whose life has been profoundly impacted by her championing of the County’s Stepping Up Initiative, a program at the County Jail that prepares people to re-enter society and succeed.
“It all adds up to a new life and it wouldn’t be possible without people like you, Barb, who have worked so hard to get this program going and to keep it going.” Dustin said in the video. “I still have a long ways to go, but I’m on the path to health and happiness. Thank you, Barb.”
The Commissioners’ presentations and videos can be viewed on the County website.