• Meet Our Team
  • Advertise on SCDN
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Contact Us
Saturday, June 28
Scioto County Daily News
  • Login
  • Register
Subscribe For $1/week
  • Public Safety
    SCDN File Photo

    Heroes in Uniform: First Responders Step Up During Mental Health Emergency in Wheelersburg

    Sheriff night 2

    🚨Crowbar Chaos in West Portsmouth! Ex-Boyfriend Brawl Leaves One Injured, Suspects on the Run🚓 

    Scioto County Dog Shelter

    Help Fill the Scioto County Dog Shelter with Love: Sponsor a Dog Kennel Today! 

    Sheriff sticker

    Busy Day for Scioto County First Responders: Medical Runs, Alarms, and Crime Reports Stack Up 

    William Kerns

    🔥Flasher, Firebug & Free Again? Paroled Arsonist William Kerns Arrested (Again) After June 26 Parole Violation 

    dog animal cruelty

    Animal Hoarding Horror: Shock Sentences That Have the Town Talking! 😱🐾 

    Busted Arrests Portsmouth Scioto County Mugshots

    Busted! 06/27/25 New Arrests in Portsmouth, Ohio – Scioto County Mugshots

    police ppd banner

    Grace Under Pressure: Portsmouth Police Calm Chaos at Marathon Without Making Arrest 

    CASA Program Cut: What Happens to Scioto County’s Foster Kids Now? 

    Sheriff sticker

    🚨 Busy Wednesday in Scioto County: Medical Runs, Burglaries, Fires, and Road Woes Keep First Responders on the Move 🚓🚑🔥 

    Naked Woman

    📱Nude Nightmare: Woman Targeted in Vicious ‘Revenge Porn’ Attack by Ex 

    Family’s Clash with Scioto County Deputies Sparks Allegations of False Charges and Legal Missteps 

    New Dog Bite Law Could Strain Already Maxed-Out Scioto County Shelter and Court System 

    Busted Arrests Portsmouth Scioto County Mugshots

    Busted! 06/26/25 New Arrests in Portsmouth, Ohio – Scioto County Mugshots

    Cocaine-Fueled Dog Attack Shakes Scioto County: The Drug Crisis Hits the Shelter Hard 

    Troubled Bad Youth Kids

    RUNAWAYAS FROM AREA GROUP HOME PROMPT GUN THREATS AND MANHUNT

    police investigation

    Police Investigate Two Disturbing Child Abuse Reports 

    🚨 BACK FROM THE BRINK: Hero Cop Revives Overdose Victim with Narcan  

    Man pants down

    Man Drops Pants in Front of Kids Outside Burger King  

    Sheriff sticker

    🚨 Scioto County 911 Roundup – June 24, 2025 🚨 

  • Lawrence County
  • Politics

    Cathy Coleman Still Fighting: Family Shuts Down Hospice Rumors, Says Recovery Still Underway

    County May Tap Opioid Settlement Funds to Finish MARCS Tower Project 

    Cathy Coleman

    ‘Small Steps, Big Faith’: Commissioner Cathy Coleman Edges Closer to Recovery 

    ‘Praise God!’: Commissioner Cathy Coleman Shows Remarkable Progress After Harrowing Weeks

    Cathy Coleman

    Cautious Hope and Harsh Realities: New Details Emerge on Commissioner Cathy Coleman’s Condition 

    Scioto County Commissioners Cancel This Week’s Meeting 

    Robert Horton

    Sudden Twist: Horton Court Dates Scrapped Ahead of Trial 

    ‘A Sign of Hope’: Commissioner Cathy Coleman Shows Small Improvements Amid Ongoing Critical Condition 

    Recorder Gary Jenkins

    Scioto County Recorder Gary Jenkins Unveils New Office Website 

    Staggering 236 Recovery Houses in Area — and the Fight for Reform Faces Pushback 

    Cathy Coleman

    Community Urged to Pray For Cathy Coleman as Family Faces Devastating Update 

    Scottie Powell

    Commissioner Scottie Powell on Trans Sanctuary Resolution: “Symbolic, Not Substantive” 

    Cathy Coleman

    Update from the Scioto County Commissioners on Commissioner Cathy Coleman 

    What Did Portsmouth’s LGBTQ+ Sanctuary Resolution Really Say? 

    Portsmouth Rehab

    Portsmouth Rejects LGBTQ+ Sanctuary City Status in Heated Council Vote 

    Cathy Coleman

    It’s a Miracle! – Scioto County Rallies Around Commissioner Cathy Coleman After Medical Crisis Turnaround 

    Scioto County Rallies in Prayer for Commissioner Cathy Coleman After Tragic Crash 

    Risky Business? City Wants to Sell $4.5 Million in Bonds

    Portsmouth LGBT Sanctuary City Proposal Scrapped – New Resolution Coming

    Portsmouth Council Takes First Step Toward Homelessness Task Force 

  • Feel Good

    BREAKING: Commissioners Make Shocking Decision—Halloween to Remain on Halloween 

    Escape to the Hills: A Summer Reading List Set in Appalachia 

    Scioto County Champs: Lady Trojans and Word Wizards Bring Home the Gold 

    “I Held Those Keys Tight” — One Man’s Harrowing Journey from Addiction to Hope 

    Three girls in quinceañera dresses stand beside one another. The one in middle has a gold dress while the other two wear pink.

    Tips for Selecting the Color of a Quinceañera Dress

    The Day the Streak Ended: Lakers’ 1987 Record Broken

    An angler standing at the edge of a lake just after sunset with three fishing rods resting on the ground next to him.

    Night Fishing: Who Is It for and How Do You Start?

    good cops

    Cops Rescue Lost Man 

    good cops

    Kid Misses Bus, Deputy to the Rescue 

    A group of people stands outside with their arms in the air. They hold their hands together, making a pyramid shape.

    Hidden Gems: Community Strategies for Mental Wellness

    good cops

    Man Says He’s Trapped in Armory 

    Good Samaritan 2

    Good Neighbor and Officer to the Rescue 

    Portsmouth Flood Wall Stars

    Meet the New Flood Wall Stars! 

    A bearded man is sitting on the floor and comforting his dog in a wheelchair. The dog has his ears pinned back.

    Training Tips To Help Your Dog Get Used to Their Wheelchair

    U.S. housing market

    Tips for Making Your New House Feel Like a Home

    The Best Freshwater Fish To Catch This Summer

    The Best Freshwater Fish To Catch This Summer

    A man approaching the bowling lane with a red bowling ball as his three friends in the background cheer him on.

    How Bowling Can Improve Your Mental Health

    good cops

    Lost Kid Calls Cops for Help 

    Backyard camping

    Backyard Adventure: Unforgettable Family Camping

    Sunshine or Snowflakes: Which Season Wins America’s Heart?

  • Obituaries

    Geneva Mullins 78 of New Boston

    Willard Fenton

    Willard Fenton, 86, of South Webster

    Richard Lewis

    Richard Lewis, 75 of McDermott

    Judy Gayle (Wells) Scifres

    Judy Gayle Scifres, 74 of South Shore,

    Braxton Spears Jr., 76, of South Shore,

    Braxton Spears Jr., 76 of South Shore

    Walter Ronald Kidd

    Walter Ronald Kidd, 89 of Xenia

    Lois Helen Friend

    Lois Helen Friend, 76 of Lucasville

    Patricia Ann Holland

    Patricia Ann Holland, 93 of Waverly

    Marsha Faye Gammon

    Marsha Faye Gammon, 72 of Wheelersburg

    Janet Sue Perkins

    Janet Sue Perkins, 79 of Ashland

    Barbara Williams

    Nancy L. Pistole, 85 of West Portsmouth

    Charles Lloyd Smith

    Charles Lloyd Smith, 84, of Portsmouth

    Maxine Ballard

    Maxine Ballard, 84, of South Point

    David Paul Kidder

    David Paul Kidder, 57 of West Portsmouth

    Carolyn Sue Reeder,

    Carolyn Sue Reeder, 75 of Portsmouth

    Dorothy Jane Pistole

    Dorothy Jane Pistole, 64 of Portsmouth

    Barbara Williams

    Mary Meretia Robertson Wolfe, 87, of Londonderry, OH

    Patricia Louise Coburn

    Patricia Louise Coburn 99 of Portsmouth

    Nora Ellen Easter

    Nora Ellen Easter, 97 of Friendship

     Deborah Sue ‘Susie’ Dingus

     Deborah Sue ‘Susie’ Dingus, 74 of Portsmouth

  • More News
    • All News
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Education
    • Economy
    • Food & Drinks
    • Local Business
    • National
    • Opinion
    • Regional
    • Strange But True
    • Trending
No Result
View All Result
Scioto County Daily News
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Register
Scioto County Daily News
No Result
View All Result

Crabtree Answers Critics: “We must be doing something right”

SCDN Exclusive Interview

Cyn Mackley by Cyn Mackley
5 years ago
in Politics
SCDN Exclusive with Mike Crabtree
ShareTweetEmail

Scioto County Commissioner Mike Crabtree wants to be reelected as County Commissioner. He thinks he’s doing a pretty good job but realizes some folks disagree. He sat down with Betty Smith to answer some tough questions.

A lot of people think term limits are the way to go, so why should people elect Crabtree for another term? He says that when he was first running for office, he was told that two terms would be a long time for a county commissioner. But now he says his success in office speaks for itself. “We must be doing something right.” Crabtree says that during his time in office the county has made tremendous strides towards financial stability.

RELATED POSTS

CASA Program Cut: What Happens to Scioto County’s Foster Kids Now? 

New Dog Bite Law Could Strain Already Maxed-Out Scioto County Shelter and Court System 

RUNAWAYAS FROM AREA GROUP HOME PROMPT GUN THREATS AND MANHUNT

Please Support This Local Business

He says a county has to have money on hand if it hopes to grow. “If you want to go after money that’s available to make things happen in the community. It’s what makes economic development. We’ve pursued it continuously. I have two fellow commissioners that have the same frame of mind. The same conservative attitude towards keeping Scioto County fiscally sound.

He admits some departments might not be too happy with the tight purse strings but denies that anyone has been less than fully funded. “All of the offices are continually funded, including the Sheriff. As a matter of fact, we gave him an extra $872,000 in 2019.”

Crabtree said some of the complaints about the budgeting process come from the fact that they make the budget at the beginning of the year and estimate how much revenue will be coming in and when it will arrive. “It’s like having a job, you don’t get 52 paychecks in January.” He said that as the revenue comes in, it can then be distributed to departments. Since the county is determined to stay in the black, departments won’t get funds until the money actually arrives. “Everyone gets fully funded by the end of the year. We get complaints from the Sheriff, but most people understand.”

Crabtree said balancing the budget has been challenging since the County lost $2 million dollars a year in sales tax money generated by a state tax on Medicare managed care organizations. The tax was only charged on Medicare organizations which were later reimbursed by Medicare. The federal government decided that a state couldn’t charge the additional sales tax on Medicare organization unless it placed the same sales tax on private HMOs. He did say that sales tax on Internet purchases is helping to replace some of that money, but not all.

He also addressed criticism of new security measures at the Scioto County Courthouse. Including a chain-link fence that many consider unsightly. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some people might not like it, but it’s here to stay.” He says the county has no choice but to implement the heightened security which is mandated by the state. In fact, they’re actually behind the times in getting security in place because, for years, they didn’t have the money. He says he liked it a lot better when it was easy to drive right up and come into the courthouse. But times have changed. “It’s one of those things that we have to do. I apologize for that. I don’t understand why people get to that point in life where they want to shoot people up or God help us, where they have drug problems.”

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-TZJy8zTt4[/embedyt]

Crabtree also says that there may be the talk of conflicts between the commissioners and Portsmouth City Government, but for the most part, they work well together. “I think right now, we’ve been working very well with the City. We don’t ever want to go back to where we were.”

He added that voters could count on him and his fellow commissioners to take good care of their tax dollars. “We’re doing everything we can with whatever resources we can get. The reality is you don’t have money by spending money. You have money by saving money.”

If you ask Scioto County Commissioner Mike Crabtree what he’s most proud of about the 15 years he’s spent on the Scioto County Commission, he can answer you quickly and decisively: it’s digging the county out of fiscal emergency.

Scioto County was placed into fiscal emergency by the state back in 2009. At that point, it was close to $800,000 in the red. But it managed to tighten its belt and get back in the black by 2014. An achievement that merited special recognition and a plaque presented by the state auditor.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA808H47uaU[/embedyt]

Crabtree says it’s important for a county to keep money in its coffers if it wants to be eligible for Federal and State grant money. Most grants require matching funds. “What you have in a fiscal emergency is a courthouse that leaks, you have plaster falling down the stairwells. No grant opportunities. There’s not much you can do.”

Among the first budget-cutting steps was switching the insurance for county employees from Anthem to the CEBCO self-funded insurance plan which saved $650,000 during the first year. Over time, he says that the switch has saved the county close to $4 million. By getting out of fiscal emergency, the county was also able to refinance a bond issue it still owed on and save over $1 million.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq0oGK0gNxw[/embedyt]

“We went from several million in the red to several million in the black,” Crabtree said. The county was also in a financial position to be able to renovate parts of the courthouse and move adult probation services from an expensive rental property across the street.”

He says his fellow commissioners Bryan Davis and Cathy Coleman also are careful to keep a close eye on the budget “We’ve been successful in keeping the county sound financially. We’ve been conservative. To some degree, not all offices may like exactly what we’re doing, but it sure beats what was here back in the day.”

You may watch Crabtree’s entire interview with Betty Smith here.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90rFmrKQieE[/embedyt]

Tags: County CommissionersElectionFeaturedMike Crabtree
Please Support This Local Business

TRENDING NOW

Busted Arrests Portsmouth Scioto County Mugshots

Busted! 06/20/25 New Arrests in Portsmouth, Ohio – Scioto County Mugshots

June 20, 2025
Scioto County Grand Jury Indictments

13 New Scioto County Grand Jury Indictments

June 20, 2025
Busted Arrests Portsmouth Scioto County Mugshots

Busted! 06/19/25 New Arrests in Portsmouth, Ohio – Scioto County Mugshots

June 19, 2025

Train Trouble: Duo Busted for Late-Night Trespass in Rail Yard 

June 19, 2025
Angry Woman

Late, Loud, and Locked Out: Mom Trespassed After Dental Office Meltdown Over Tardiness 

June 19, 2025

ABOUT US

We are a grassroots team of local journalists on a mission to give our community up-to-the-second news and events for Southern Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and Western West Virginia. We believe progress inspires change and we believe our reporting has become the front-lines of Portsmouth, Ohio's comeback.

CATEGORIES

  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Casino
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Feel Good
  • Food & Drink
  • Local Business
  • National
  • Obituaries
  • Ohio
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • Public Safety
  • Regional
  • Strange But True
  • Video

AREAS SERVED

  • Portsmouth
  • Wheelersburg
  • Minford
  • Waverly
  • Friendship
  • Ironton
  • West Union
  • Piketon
  • Coal Grove
  • South Point
  • Vanceburg
  • Grayson
  • South Shore
  • Greenup
  • Raceland
  • Ashland

SITE SEARCH

No Result
View All Result
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

© 2025 Scioto County Daily News. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Home
  • Trending
  • Public Safety
  • Lawrence County
  • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Feel Good
  • All News
  • About Us
    • Meet Our Team
    • FAQ
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise on SCDN
  • Legal
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Service

© 2025 Scioto County Daily News. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Home
  • Trending
  • Public Safety
  • Lawrence County
  • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Feel Good
  • All News
  • About Us
    • Meet Our Team
    • FAQ
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise on SCDN
  • Legal
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Service

© 2025 Scioto County Daily News. All Rights Reserved.