BCEO - County Engineer Profile

County Engineer Profile
and History of the Office

Gregory J. Wilkens, P.E., P.S., Butler County Engineer

Butler County welcomed Gregory J. Wilkens, P.E., P.S., as its new County Engineer on January 1, 2001. Greg brings a foundation of integrity, experience, and leadership to Ohio's second fastest growing county and understands the demands of its commercial and residential growth. He has pledged to make sound decisions that place the public welfare and safety above all other concerns.

There are four strategic areas for growth and improvement upon which Greg plans to build his vision for the BCEO:

Transportation planning, combining tested methods with the best new technology and analysis to improve planning for the future;
Inter-agency cooperation and allowing the BCEO to be a true asset and partner for the cities, townships, villages, and other agencies;
Full development of management and staff with a better, more efficient use of in-house talent;
Fiscal responsibility and accountability to the taxpayers.

BACKGROUND

Additional Info

Professional qualifications and duties of the County Engineer as outlined in the Ohio Revised Code.

Past County Engineers and Surveyors of Butler County.

Greg rejoined the BCEO as the new Butler County Engineer after a two and a half year stint as Executive Director of Butler County's Transportation Improvement District. Employed at the Engineer's Office since 1973, Greg worked in several departments providing him with a wide background and solid foundation upon which to build his career. Eventually Greg became the BCEO's Manager of Development Services in which he was responsible for reviewing residential, industrial, and commercial plans, was instrumental in the planning and coordination of major new road construction, and coordinated the development of the Butler County Thoroughfare Plan. While with the BCEO he was recognized by the Butler County Commissioners for his excellent work in advising the Planning and Zoning Commission and was instrumental in building alliances with public officials from township trustees to Federal Highway officials.

Greg left the Engineer's Office in 1998 to manage the Butler County Transportation Improvement District (TID) where he oversaw the construction of $200 million in projects during his brief tenure. This constituted the largest highway building campaign in the County for any two-year period and included construction of the Butler County Veterans Highway (Ohio 129) as well as development of the roadway network around the new Union Centre Boulevard in bustling West Chester Township. Under Greg's leadership, the TID received one International award, two State awards, plus four National awards for innovation in construction management, environmental preservation and mitigation, and quality construction.

Some of the organizations with which Greg is currently affiliated include professional memberships in the American Society of Highway Engineers and the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Ohio-Indiana-Kentucky Regional Council of Governments, the Butler County Township Association, the Fairfield and Hamilton Chambers of Commerce, West Chester Chamber Alliance, the Chamber of Commerce serving Middletown-Trenton-Monroe, the Hamilton Vision 20/20 Committee, and the Greater Hamilton Safety Council Board of Directors.

The BCEO, under Greg's leadership, is also a member of the following: Butler County Transportation Improvement District Board, Butler County Land Use Coordinating Committee Board and Steering Committee, the County Engineer's Association of Ohio, all local Chambers of Commerce (Greater Hamilton, Fairfield, West Chester, Middletown, and Oxford), Butler County Data Processing Board; Butler County Tourism Council, Butler County Township Association, and the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments.

Greg is a 1971 graduate of Stephen T. Badin High School in Hamilton, received an A.S. Degree in Civil Engineering Technology from Cincinnati Technical College, and graduated Cum Laude from Miami University with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering.

A resident of Butler county since he was five years old, Greg resides in Fairfield with his wife and has two grown children. He has been an active part of the community, having served on the Fairfield High School Strategic Planning Committee, coached youth baseball, soccer, and wrestling, and is a member of Sacred Heart Church.

HISTORY OF THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ENGINEER IN OHIO

The office of County Engineer evolved from the important role played by the County Surveyor in the first decades of Ohio's statehood.

As early as 1785, Ohio served as a "laboratory" for the development of the Public Lands survey system. Well into the 1800s, the County Surveyor was charged with the tremendous task of clarifying land titles and boundaries. After 1820, a movement for "internal improvements" swept through the state and County Surveyors became increasingly involved in transportation related projects, specifically, in the development of canals and roads. By the late 19th century, the major duty of the County Surveyor was the building and maintenance of roads, bridges, and drainage ditches.

The office of County Surveyor was established by the first General Assembly following the admission of Ohio to the Union in 1803. Whenever a new county was created, the County Surveyor, Recorder, Prosecuting Attorney, and Clerk were appointed by a common court of appeals, which itself was appointed by the legislature. County Surveyors were paid only a per diem wage ($5 in the late 1800s) for those days when they were actually employed.

In 1831, the legislature voted to make the office elective because of the increased responsibilities it entailed. The law stated the County Surveyor would serve a term of three years, "if he so long behave well and until his successor be elected and qualified." Legislation passed in 1915 established a salary and conferred on the County Surveyor the title of "Resident Engineer for the State Highway Department." In 1928, the term of office was lengthened from three years to four. Then on August 30, 1935, the title was changed to "County Engineer."

Today, only persons who hold registration certification of the State of Ohio as both "Registered Professional Engineer" and "Registered Professional Surveyor" may qualify for the office of County Engineer. The elected County Engineer is sworn to "perform for the county all duties authorized or declared by law to be done by a Civil Engineer or Surveyor." Although specifically exempt from engineering duties affecting public buildings, he is the engineer for all public improvements under the authority of the board of commissioners within and for the county.



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