Opponent Testimony on House Bill 147 — Clermont County Port Authority (Ohio House Development Committee)

Summary

Opponent testimony on House Bill 147 submitted to the Ohio House Development Committee on February 25, 2026 by Kristofer McClintick, Executive Director of the Clermont County Port Authority. The testimony states that the bill would restrict or eliminate the ability of port authorities to use the sales tax exemption on construction materials for certain development projects. It says the exemption helps developers close financing gaps for housing, and that county port authority fees have supported a sewer line extension with the City of Milford. It closes by stating that the Clermont County Port Authority opposes House Bill 147 and arguing for local control.

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Full text

                        Ohio House Development Committee
                             HB 147 Opponent Testimony
                                  February 25, 2026
                       Kristofer McClintick, Executive Director
                           Clermont County Port Authority


Chairman Hoops, Vice Chairman Lorenz, Ranking Member Brownlee, and members of the
House Development Committee, thank you for the opportunity to present opponent testimony on
House Bill 147. My name is Kris McClintick, and I serve as Executive Director of the Clermont
County Port Authority. I appreciate the opportunity to share our concerns regarding this
legislation and its potential impact on economic development efforts in Clermont County.

The Clermont County Port Authority is a political subdivision of the State of Ohio created to
facilitate economic development, job creation, and infrastructure investment within our county.
We work in partnership with Clermont County, local municipalities, townships, school districts,
and private-sector partners to structure and finance projects that strengthen our tax base and
improve quality of life. Our responsibilities include issuing bonds, facilitating public-private
partnerships, supporting industrial and commercial development, and utilizing statutory tools
such as sales tax exemptions to make transformative projects financially viable.

House Bill 147 proposes changes to Ohio law that would restrict or eliminate the ability of port
authorities to utilize the sales tax exemption on construction materials for certain development
projects. While we understand the desire to review and standardize economic development
incentives, this bill would significantly impair one of the most effective tools available to port
authorities to catalyze investment in their communities.

The sales tax exemption is an important tool for the Clermont County Port Authority that we
regularly utilize to advance projects that would not otherwise occur. For example, a recent
housing study revealed that Clermont County faces a shortage of multi-family and workforce
housing. Access to the sales tax exemption is often the critical incentive that allows developers to
close financing gaps and move forward with housing projects that meet the needs of working
families. Removing or limiting this tool would make it substantially more difficult to address our
housing shortage and remain competitive with neighboring communities.

Additionally, the county utilizes fees generated through our port authority structures to fund
impactful public projects. These revenues have supported initiatives such as the construction of a
practice facility for F.C. Cincinnati and collaboration with the City of Milford to extend a sewer
line to county residents who previously did not have access to sewer service. These are the types
of catalytic infrastructure investments that strengthen communities and improve quality of life.

   513.732.7825    101 East Main Street    Batavia, OH 45103      www.ClermontCountyOhio.gov
Limiting the port authority’s ability to structure projects would directly affect our capacity to
generate these resources.

The sales tax revenue generated through these projects is also utilized by the county to support
bond financing. Bond proceeds fund infrastructure and development initiatives that create jobs
and expand the local tax base. HB 147 would undermine the financial structures that make these
bond transactions possible, potentially jeopardizing future economic development and
infrastructure improvements in Clermont County.

Finally, local control is critically important to Clermont County. Our elected officials and local
stakeholders are best positioned to evaluate which tools are appropriate for our market conditions
and development goals. Port authorities operate transparently and under statutory authority
granted by the General Assembly. Curtailing local flexibility through a statewide mandate would
limit our ability to respond to local economic realities.

For these reasons, the Clermont County Port Authority respectfully opposes House Bill 147. We
believe the bill would hinder economic development, limit housing opportunities, reduce
infrastructure investment, and constrain local decision-making authority.

Chairman Hoops and members of the committee, thank you again for your consideration of our
opponent testimony and for your continued commitment to fostering economic development
across Ohio. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.




   513.732.7825     101 East Main Street    Batavia, OH 45103      www.ClermontCountyOhio.biz


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