Butler County repurposes ARPA funds for Hamilton Enterprise Park water loop, advances Millikin sewer extension

Butler County repurposes ARPA funds for Hamilton Enterprise Park water loop, advances Millikin sewer extensionThe Butler County Board of Commissioners approved contract amendments to utilize over $431,000 in unexpended federal funds for commercial fire suppression, alongside new geotechnical work for the Millikin Interchange sewer project.

The City of Hamilton will reallocate $431,464 in existing ARPA funds to modify hydropneumatic tanks and loop a water main to serve Hamilton Enterprise Park.

Commissioners approved a $77,009 contract amendment with Burgess & Niple for geotechnical work on the Millikin Area Sewer Extension.

The board also approved public water and sanitary sewer extensions for the Liberty Parks subdivision in Liberty Township.

The Butler County Board of Commissioners approved a series of municipal water and wastewater infrastructure measures on August 18, 2026, aimed at supporting commercial and economic development in the region. The board authorized a first amendment to a subrecipient agreement with the City of Hamilton, allowing the city to reallocate $431,464.49 in unexpended American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the Hamilton Enterprise Park Water System Improvement Project. County Administrator Judi Boyko explained that the funds will be used to modify the number and size of hydropneumatic tanks being constructed and to extend a water main at the end of McBride Court. The extension will loop the system to serve commercial properties and meet fire suppression needs in the area. Boyko emphasized that the allocation does not represent new funding, but rather the repurposing of existing ARPA funds prior to the federal expenditure deadline. During the discussion, a commissioner noted the shifting water demand in the Hamilton area, questioning how the local water supply balance has been impacted by the loss of 80 Acres, a large indoor farming operation that previously operated in the city. On the wastewater side, the board approved a second contract amendment with engineering firm Burgess & Niple, Inc. for the Millikin Area Sewer Extension Project. The amendment adds $77,009 for geotechnical work, bringing the total contract amount to $545,462. According to Boyko, a previous amendment covered initial design, engineering, and legal descriptions for project easements. "Now that we've identified the easement areas for the Millikin Interchange and where sanitary sewer will be constructed, this geotechnical work will be able to identify and build into the engineering drawings anything that needs to be done," Boyko told the board. In additional utility business, the commissioners approved public water and sanitary sewer extensions for the Liberty Parks subdivision in Liberty Township and released multiple water and sewer extension bonds for the Estates at Wynds of Liberty development. The meeting concluded with an executive session to consider confidential information regarding public infrastructure improvements and utility service extensions tied to a pending economic development project.