BATAVIA, Ohio — Clermont County will withhold revenues from a 1 percent addition to the county lodging tax until Milford issues debt on land where FC Cincinnati is building a training facility, youth academy and soccer fields.
County commissioners voted 3-0 Wednesday to keep the monies from the lodging tax, which have been collected since October, in a savings account managed by the county auditor.
Milford agreed to pay $3.5 million and FC Cincinnati $1.5 million to acquire the 23-acre site, formerly the Expressway Park softball complex. The extra lodging tax proceeds were to be used by Milford to pay off its debt.
The increase is expected to generate about $223,000 a year. The increase will “sunset” in 2038 or when the balance in the lodging tax account is sufficient to pay off the debt.
On another matter, commissioners voted 2-1 to deny a petition to annex 96 acres from Stonelick Township to the Village of Owensville. Commissioners Ed Humphrey and David Painter voted for the denial. David Uible opposed it.
