The county commissioners approved a $2,500 contribution to the Southwest Butler County Stormwater Planning Group in a resolution that praises the organization’s collaborative work over the last three years to address flooding in 10 municipalities in the southern part of the county.

Commissioners on Wednesday, Jan. 17, approved the resolution that supports the group’s ongoing efforts after Mark Gordon, county chief of economic development and planning, commended the group for working across municipal boundaries to address shared flooding problems.

According to the resolution, the group submitted 22 projects worth $9.7 million that have become part of the comprehensive plan and attracted $5.7 million in grant funding.

The group created a subgroup to look for ways to address the increasing costs related to unfunded stormwater and water quality mandates, which is supported by a $225,000 grant, and created another subgroup working on a regional trail project that received a $250,00 federal grant, according to the resolution.

“It’s been a very effective process with the 10 municipalities that are in the southern tier,” Gordon said.

The group is comprised of Adams, Cranberry Forward, Jackson, Lancaster and Penn townships and Evans City, Harmony, Seven Fields and Zelienople. Forward and Penn townships were the latest to join.

The commissioners helped to bring the municipalities together, and the group has become extremely capable and continues to oversee stormwater flooding projects, Gordon said.

He said the group will use money contributed by the municipalities and the county for projects that are being planned. The group recently hired an engineering firm to prepare cost estimates, he said.

The group’s work earned it a 2023 Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence.

Municipalities in the central part of the county that experience flooding, such as Butler and Butler Township, should join the group, said Leslie Osche, chairwoman of the county commissioners.

Gordon said he would contact the city and township.