$800,000 estimated for repairs to RFL Wastewater Treatment Plant

For the second time in as many years, Rocky Fork Lake area residents can expect an increase in their sewerage system fees.

Highland County Commissioners Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Jeremy Shaffer met Wednesday, June 19 with Frank Leone of Environmental Engineering Services in Lebanon.

Leone told commissioners that the Rocky Fork Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant is in need of considerable repairs, that if neglected, will cost even more.

"We have not done any capital improvements in 15 years," Leone said. "The main pumping station is 15 years old."

Leone said the county is looking at an $800,000 repair and rehabilitation project. He said the project would be funded by a combination of grant monies from the OPWC (Ohio Public Works Commission), low-interest loans from the OWDA (Ohio Water Development Authority), and an increase in user fees.

The pump station alone would cost $200,000, Leone said.

"We don't even want to think about the main pump station going down," Leone said.

"So, we're basically looking at expenses that could be substantially more expensive (if left unaddressed)," Wilkin said, then asked: "What can't be funded by grants, will be a loan?"

"You'll have a blend of payments," Leone said.

"Those who actually use the system will see an increase?" Wilkin asked.

"Yes," Leone said, "about $30,000 a year will be added to system costs, (it will be) averaged among the 1,200 users."

"So user fees will have to go up?" Shaffer asked.

"Yes, a little bit," Horst replied, "a couple of bucks a month."

At their Dec. 5, 2012 meeting, commissioners voted, 3-0, to raise the sewerage fees from $29 per month to $33.50 per month, a 16-percent increase, for 2013.

Environmental Engineering Services had initially proposed an increase of $8.50 per month or a 29-percent rate hike. That figure was later lowered to $7.50.

Expenses in operating and maintaining the system have been increasing as grinder pumps are coming off their earlier warranties and the typical "wear and tear" of the system.

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ODOT proposes land swap

• Commissioners also met Wednesday with Highland County Engineer Dean Otworth, Deputy Engineer Chris Fauber, and representatives from District 9 of the Ohio Department of Transportation – including Dan Nartker, transportation administrator, Highland County Highway Maintenance Facility; Troy Huff, highway management administrator, ODOT District 9; and Doug Pack, real estate administrator, ODOT District 9 – regarding a proposed land swap for the respective departments.

"ODOT is finalizing plans for a new maintenance facility for Highland County," Otworth said. "We're thinking maybe we could work a deal – give some parcels of land from the county for the ODOT facility."

In return, the state would deed over its current maintenance facility to the county. The county would transfer 2.7 acres on the south side of state Route 124 to ODOT, and the state would transfer 10 acres on the north side of Route 124 to the county.

"Since the county owns the property, nothing can proceed without your approval," Otworth told commissioners.

"We are undertaking a process to replace the 124 (ODOT) facility," Huff explained. "We'd like to take ownership of some county property. In return, Dean has asked to take over our property."

Huff said that ODOT also has an option to purchase the Fay Gibson property on the south side of S.R. 124 and east of Barry Street.

"We think it would work out well for both ODOT and the county," Huff said.

"What kind of time frame are you looking at?" Horst asked.

Huff said the state was looking at September of this year for the project's bids to go out. Construction could start by late fall or early winter, with an estimated completion date one year from the start of construction.

"It's a fast-track project," Huff said. Huff estimated the cost of the project at $5.5 million.

"We're looking at the end of August for land transactions," he said.

Highland County TEA Party President Barb Cole, who attended the meeting with her granddaughter, Jessica, asked about notification to nearby property owners and residents.

"We have taken that into consideration," Huff said.

According to ODOT District 9 Real Estate Administrator Doug Pack, the state would like to complete the land transfers as soon as possible, and during the construction phase, lease its current facility from the county.

Pack also said the state is agreeable to continuing the lease for the water tower property with the Highland County Water Company.

"If the commissioners have a preference, we'd like to know," Pack said. "Do you want to maintain the lease (for the existing water tower off Barry Street)."

"It's not a great source of revenue," Horst said.

"The state is a big proponent of partnering and sharing facilities," Huff said. "There should be no monetary funds from the county to make this happen. … And there will be no dramatic difference in property use."

Commissioners expressed verbal approval for the proposal, but took no official action Wednesday. Wilkin said they would seek the advice and consent of Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins and place the matter on the June 26 commissioners' agenda.

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RESOLUTIONS

Commissioners passed the following resolutions June 19, all by 3-0 votes:

* A Clerk of Courts' request for travel expenses for 2013;
* A Community Action request to appropriate to T9, $292,231;
* A sheriff's additional appropriation within the Employee Salaries budget A02, $500;
* A CAO request for an additional appropriation to T5 Chip CDBG for $36,805;
* An auditor's request to transfer from 0077 County Misc Transfers to 0010 Buildings & Grounds TEC for $5,600;
* A Probation Dept. request for a budget modification;
* A Probation Dept. request for a budget modification for T-37 Pre-Trial Release Budget, Personnel and OPERS;
* An auditor's request for additional appropriation for O-08 Debt Retirement, RFL Sewer for $23,156.13;
* An auditor's request for additional appropriation for O-23 Debt Retirement-Babington Sewer $41.75; and,
* An auditor's request to transfer from County Miscellaneous, Transfers Out, to the Mowrystown sewer to principal and interest for a total of $59,478.01.