GALLIPOLIS — Discussion centered around outside sewer connections at Tuesday night’s Gallipolis City Board of Commissioners meeting when local business owner Tammi Brabham approached the city about a sewer hookup for her business expansion on Kerr Road in Bidwell.

According to Brabham, owner of Brabham Family Enterprises, Inc., her business is quickly approaching completion and a decision needs to be made regarding sewer treatment.

“With some of the EPA changes that have occurred this year, the requirements I will have to meet (for an onsite system) will be much greater and may take more property than I have,” she said.

Brabham said an onsite system would most likely take up prime areas of her property that she could use for future expansion. She told the commissioners that a sewer hook-up to that area would help with development in the county.

“We all know Gallia County is going to suffocate if we don’t grow,” said Brabham.

Brabham projected that the new business will create approximately 26-30 jobs in its first two years with more jobs being added later.

“Jobs are great, jobs get headlines, but a job is no benefit to Gallia County unless that person lives in Gallia County,” said Commissioner Matt Johnson. “It doesn’t matter where you make your money as long as you bring it back here.”

While she would prefer to hire locally, Brabham said the skills required for her business may require pulling resources from outside Gallia County, but believes there are past residents who left for schooling who would return if more jobs were available in their area of expertise.

“I think that area’s going to get sewered eventually,” said Johnson. “For growth to happen that’s a part of it. That’s prime real estate out there for anything to happen in Gallia County. I think we need to look into this thing and find out what we can do.”

Johnson said the city commission and Gallia County Commissioners will address matters that would be applicable to Brabham’s situation during a meeting planned for 1 p.m. Thursday at the county courthouse.

“I think everyone would like to see the division between the city and the county come to an end,” said Brabham.

“This is one of the issues the new group will be wrestling with,” said Commission President James Cozza, who told Brabham the commissioners would need input from the city manager and solicitor before changing current policy.

“We feel what is good for the county is also good for our community,” said Commission Vice President Jay Cremeens, who said he was ready to vote immediately in favor of sewer hook-up.

In other action:

• The Gallipolis In Bloom Committee presented the city with the Committee of the Year plaque received from the Gallia County Chamber of Commerce.

• The commissioners accepted the resignation of city solicitor Brent Saunders, who thanked both the outgoing and incoming commissioners for their support. After a unanimous vote, the commissioners appointed Adam R. Salisbury as the new city solicitor for both Saunders’ unexpired term and the subsequent four-year term at the recommendation of Saunders.

• Commissioners voted to amend the existing sewer connection ordinance to allow residential properties outside of the city limits to connect on a case by case basis if the city manager deems it in the best interest of the property owner and the city.

• Commissioners voted to authorize the city manager to submit an application for an Ohio Department of Natural Resources litter cleanup grant and enter into the agreement if awarded.