To the Citizens and Board of County Commissioners of Butler County, Ohio:
I respectfully present the Butler County Engineer’s 2023 Annual Report for your review.
The summary of 2023 activity in this report highlights over $65,040,033 in capital improvements and maintenance. While the Engineer’s Office continues to maintain our network of roads and bridges, our focus also remains on upgrading the county’s transportation system as a means to spur economic growth. Good roads are the engine that drives economic development, and the S.R. 129/Liberty Interchange Modification, which includes a new roundabout at Cox Road and Veterans Boulevard is an obvious example of this in Liberty Township.
Year after year, Butler County infrastructure improvements make your commute smoother and safer, such as last year’s widening of Tylersville Road and Crescentville Road, the bridge replacement on Elk Creek Road, and the roundabout at Princeton Road and Mauds Hughes Road. These improvements have been possible due to the BCEO’s skill and experience acquiring grant funding from the state and federal levels. However, obtaining grants from these sources is now becoming more competitive and complex. The continuous rise in labor, materials, and equipment expenses to maintain our road and bridge infrastructure has resulted in a noticeable decline in purchasing power. As costs escalate, our primary revenue, which streams from gasoline taxes and license plate fees, remains stagnant or decreases as drivers purchase less gas due to the increasing popularity of hybrid and electric vehicles. This has posed a possible setback to our current resurfacing program cycle of paving county roads every 17 to 18 years. Extending the paving cycle would be one way to stretch the budget, but it raises concerns about the long-term integrity of our roads. I believe we have raised the bar in this county; the expectations of the citizens are pretty high, and I personally don’t want to see that lowered. Lowering the level of service is an alternative, but it’s not where we set the bar and not where we truly want to be. I’d like to see our current standards continue well after my administration. Our financial constraints have also brought the challenge of retaining qualified personnel. The competitive nature of the job market makes it difficult for our organization and others like us to attract and retain talented individuals. Yet it is heartening to note that the culture within our walls is positive as we continue cultivating an environment of teamwork, commitment to excellence, and public service. I’m extremely proud of the dedicated team of professionals at the BCEO who work tirelessly to ensure the safety and efficiency of our county’s road infrastructure. I want you to know that our staff works hard on your behalf to return as many of your state and federal tax dollars back to Butler County as possible.
Thank you for your continued trust and encouragement as your County Engineer. Feel free to contact us with your concerns and suggestions for how we can improve our service. Please read on for a review of 2023.
Very truly yours,
Gregory J. Wilkens, P.E., P.S. Butler County Engineer