At the March 29, 2017 meeting of the Clark County Commissioners, the commissioners passed two resolutions for the issuance and sale of bonds. The first bond for $9,080,000 covers the costs for improving the Clark County General Sewer District for the Southwest Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. The bond also covers the cost of the Ohio Multi-Agency Radion Communications System for the Sheriff’s Department, improving the HVAC system for the County Municipal Court Building, equipping the county jail, improving roadways, acquiring and installing new software for the auditor’s office, improving the Juvenile Court Building, equipping government facilities with security systems, remodeling and improving the A.B. Graham, County Courthouse and Springview Government Center, acquiring the I3 compliant IP NC9-1-1 Systems and renovating the Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS) Building.

The second bond for $6,715,000 refunds debt charges for current outstanding debt. The new bond refinances short term notes that are due in May. The two bonds do not reflect new debt for the county but refinance short term bonds into long term bonds to reduce the interest rate and save the county over $450,000 in interest payments.

In addition, the commissioners heard from two organizations that asked for their support to carry out their missions. The first group from B-W Greenway Community Land Trust, including Patricia Higgins, Bob Jurick, and Chris Hall, provided the commissioners with an overview of the work that the Land Trust has accomplished. According to the group, the Land Trust works to protects natural areas by placing conservation easements on private properties. The easements protect the property’s natural qualities in perpetuity. The B-W Greenway, which includes both the Beaver Creek Wetlands and the Wenrick Wetlands, protects 16 properties and almost 500 acres in Clark and Greene Counties.

The goals of the land trust are to preserve and promote the corridors between Beaver Creek and Wenrick Wetlands, protect ground and surface water, encourage sustainable agriculture, preserve and enhance native plant, wildlife and aquatic habitats, minimize pollution, provide education, and cultivate respect for the natural environment.

The group asked the commissioners to support their work by joining and advocating for the organization.

In addition, Joey Boggs, a representative for Marsy’s Law for Ohio, spoke to the commissioners. Marsy’s Law for Ohio is working to amend Ohio’s Constitution to protect crime victims. Their ultimate goal is to amend the U.S. Constitution to ensure that victims have the same rights as the accused and convicted.

Boggs asked the commissioners to endorse the constitutional amendment to the Ohio Constitution to ensure equal rights for victims of crimes. The group hopes to get the amendment on the November 2017 ballot.

In regular business, the commissioners acknowledged the received of request for proposals (RFP) from Citizens National Bank, Paymentus, Point and Pay, Municipal Service Bureau/Gila Corp and Lexis Nexis/Vital Check for credit card use by the various county offices. The RFPs have been referred to staff for further evaluation. County Administration Jennifer Hutchinson said, “The ability for the county offices to use credit cards for payments will take from six to eight weeks after the decision is made.” She also noted that the decision to accept credit cards will be made by the individual departments.

For the Human Resources Director, the commissioners authorized a contract with Positive Perspectives for $85 to $95 per hour to provide confidential assessments, counselling and referral services for the Employee Assistance Program. The contract allows for a maximum of 10 sessions per employee and immediate family members per year. The contract is effective January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017.

For the DJFS, the commissioners approved a contract with the Clerk of Counts for the Clark County Common Pleas Court for $64,990.16 to provide Clerk of Court Filing Services from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017.

They also accepted a grant from the National Children’s Alliance for $40,000 to pay for 16 interdisciplinary team members to attend the 2017 NCA Child Pornography and Human Trafficking Conference in Washington, DC in June 2017. The grant covers registrations, airfare, ground transportation and lodging.

For the County Engineer, the commissioners acknowledged bids from FDC Enterprises for $81,050 and$204,225 from DeAngelo Brothers LLC for the 2017 Herbicidal Spray Contract. They awarded the contract to FDC Enterprises and rejected the DeAngelo Brothers bid because it exceeded the Engineer’s estimate of $82,600 by more than 10%.

For Building and Grounds, the commissioners acknowledged an increase in the contract with Enterprise Roofing and Sheet Metal Company of $39, 195 for the roof improvements for the A.B Graham and Courthouse to remove and dispose of asbestos material and lead paint. The increase was necessary because the company discovered asbestos and lead paint that was not obvious at the onset of the project.

They also authorized an increase in the contract with Arcon Builders of $1942.70 to remove and replace stained and sealed trim for the Juvenile Court remodeling project.

The next meeting of the Clark County Commissioners is scheduled for April 5, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Conference Room at 50 E Columbia Street.

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