EATON — During a Monday, Sept. 16, meeting, Eaton City Council heard from an area resident concerned about migrants coming to Eaton and taking jobs, housing, and the effect it might have on property taxes for residents.
Justin Toops came to council to speak about the “things going on in Springfield, migrants being brought into Springfield.
“They’re also being brought in to Neaton to work,” he noted.
He went on to add, “And I know that we have plans for apartment complexes and other houses and a new hotel. I just wondered if there was any plan to move these migrant workers from Clark County into our community itself, outside of just working. And then also, I guess, look into why we’re allowing migrants to come and take Preble County jobs.”
“The thing about the Neaton situation,” Mayor Matt Venable responded, “Is that’s a staffing firm that Neaton chooses to use. We can’t get involved in the hiring practices of companies that are established here, so we don’t have much control over that, who they hire, who they don’t hire.
“We do have a housing shortage,” Venable continued. “We can’t dictate who’s going to live there. All I know is, with our staff, our police department, they’re going to be doing their job to ensure the peace in this community. We all see the reports out of Springfield, and it’s a sad situation, they can’t handle it, they have no resources. But as far as at this time, we haven’t seen any issues.”
“I might add to what mayor’s saying about the employment side, my understanding is that Neaton Auto products reached out to Preble Countians, with ‘come work for us. We’re taken applications.’ Well, it didn’t get filled,” Vice Mayor David Kirsch added.
Resident Russell Roberts came back to council to ask again about Eaton becoming a “golf cart friendly” community. Council has not taken any action on the issue to date, but will continue to review it with staff.
In other business, Assistant City Manager Joe Ferriell shred the following in a presentation:
•Updates on the CenterPoint and Spectrum utility projects happening in the city.
•Overview of the $515,000 in paving projects completed this year, including work on Cedar Circle, Chestnut, Evergreen, Willow, and the fairgrounds entrance.
•Details on the upcoming Maple Street improvement projects, including securing funding from ODOT and OPWC.
•Updates on the new flood maps that went into effect in May and discussions with FEMA regarding the Marathon area.
•Summary of ongoing building and zoning activities, including grass/weed enforcement, abandoned vehicles, and solar installations.
•Updates on various development projects in the city, including the Council on Aging facility, Henny Penny, Georgetown, Kroger, and the Cobblestone Hotel.
•Shared drawings and plans provided by Omni Fiber and Brightspeed for their utility projects in the city.
Council also:
•Approved ordinance 24-19 to amend the annual appropriations for fiscal year end December 31, 2024.
•Approved resolution 24-42 to approve the Preble County Solid Waste Management Plan.
•Approved resolution 24-43 to authorize the purchase of a 2025 GMC Sierra 2500 public maintenance vehicle.
•Approved resolution 24-44 to authorize the sale of the excess 2001 GMC 2500 public maintenance vehicle.
•Approved resolution 24-45 to transfer funds ($90,000) from the general fund to the special revenue funds for the swimming pool operations.
•Approved resolution 24-46 to amend the organizational listing, including changes to the plans examiner and building maintenance worker positions.
Reach Eddie Mowen Jr. at 937-683-4061 and follow on X @emowenjr.
