At the March 8, 2017 meeting of the Clark County Commissioners, the Commissioners amended and extended several contracts for the Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS). First, they approved a contract with Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) of Springfield-Clark County tor $115,000 to develop and operate a proactive Workforce Development Employer Services Program effective January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017.

According to Commissioner Richard Lohnes, “This is a big deal to employers. The contract provides employers with American College Testing (ACT) work ready employees. DJFS works with CIC to talk to and visit employers to develop an understanding of their needs and works with perspective employees to train them with those skills.

The commissioners also increased the contract with Dunbar Armored, Inc by $8,000 to extend the contract for one year. The contract is now effective through April 24, 2018 and provides valuable protection services to DJFS

In addition, the commissioners extended the contract with Family and Youth Initiatives through June 30, 2018 and increased the contract by $51,853.67. The contract provides a wide variety of after school enrichment classes for preschool, elementary and middle school age children.

As the Engineering Departments prepares for the 2017 road construction projects, the commissioners instructed the clerk to advertise for bids to furnish and install a steel beam bridge to replace West County Line Bridge No. 400. The bids are due in the Commissioners’ Office by 10:00 a.m. on April 6, 2017.

They also instructed the clerk to advertise for bids for the 2017 Weed Control Program. These bids are due in the commissioners’ office by 10:00 a.m. on March 23, 2017.

For the Humane Society Serving Clark County, the commissioners approved a payment of $1,954.54 for donations received for the Humane Society between December 1, 2016 through February 28, 2017.

They also amended the payment for dog pound services provided in January and February 2017 to $13,333.34 to reflect actual costs for services. The original payment for $20,000 was for January through March 2017 and did not reflect actual expenditures.

For the National Trail Parks and Recreation District (NTPRD), the commissioners authorized an agreement with NRPRD for $140,650 to provide county recreation services effective March 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017.

For Developmental Disabilities of Clark County, the commissioners approved the purchase of a 2013 Ford E-250 Passenger Van from Transportation Equipment Sales Corp for a cost of $19,5000 to be paid with the trade-in of two 2007 Chevrolet Upland Vans and a 2007 GMC Transit Bus.

In regular business, the commissioners appointed Otto Larson, Sr. Vice President at Marsh & McLennan; Paul Quolke, Acquisition Manager at C&N Contractors Inc; Teresa Smoot, Owner of Traci’s Touch, and Wendy Doolittle Chief Executive Officer at McKinley to the OhioMeansJobs Advisory Board with terms to expire on December 31, 2019.

The commissioners also changed the meeting date and time of the regularly scheduled meeting on April 26, 2017 to 8:30 a.m. on April 27, 2017.

Lohnes also announced that the commissioners have received a notification from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (DNR) of significant changes that have been requested for Enon Sand and Gravel Pit at the corner of S Tecumseh and Fairfield Road. He said, “The gravel pit is not currently in use; however, there are several issues with the location. Community Development Director Tom Hale cannot find the original zoning for the property and the information that has been found contains an inadequate description of the property line. In addition, the request indicates that the current owners are asking for blasting privileges to mine limestone.” Lohnes added, “A quarry is one thing, mining is completely different.” The commissioners will continue to follow up on the request as additional information becomes available.

The next meeting of the Clark County Commissioners is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on March 15, 2017 in the Commissioners’ Conference room at 50 E Columbia Street