Washington County Commissioners recently agreed to mediation with the City of Marietta regarding their ongoing dispute over issues with a county sewer project.   Commissioners will travel to a neutral location in Columbus for the first meeting with Matt Dooley, Marietta’s attorney, and mediator John J.  Petro.  

Petro will earn $250 an hour for his work preparing for and engaged in mediation.   Marietta and Washington Counties will split cost for Petro’s work equally. 

According to Commissioner David White, the agreement to mediate was needed because of “… the City of Marietta’s inability to communicate without hiring a mediator”. 

In response to White’s comment, a spokesperson from the law firm representing the city said it was “… disappointing that on the eve of mediation, the commissioners continue to attack the city.   But it is emblematic of their behavior all along.   Past efforts to meet with the county have been unsuccessful because the county chose to turn those discussions into hostile forums where logical debate was impossible.   Despite the county’s negativity, the city is approaching the mediation in good faith, but is prepared to file suit immediately if the county continues to willfully ignore its contractual obligations”. 

The mediation is scheduled to address breaches by both sides in the 40 year Intergovernmental Agreement of May 2011.   The agreement was authorized by those who were Washington County Commissioners at the time, one of whom was White. 

According to the contract, the city was obligated to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant and add capacity to take on sewage flaw from Devola and Oak Grove.   It also required commissioners to sewer those two communities in four phases.