Cincinnati firm pitches energy efficiency plan to commissioners

Commissioners met with Rick Anderson and associates from the Cincinnati-based Perfection Group regarding an energy audit of the

county-owned buildings at their June 2 meeting. Anderson, who said he'd met with the county commission "1 1/2 or 2 years ago," explained state and federal legislative changes that could make it easier for government entities to borrow money for more energy-efficient operations.

   "The last time I was here you said you didn't have any money," Anderson said.

   "We still don't," Commissioner Tom Horst replied.

   "I know," Anderson said. "But we just want to talk to the counties about energy legislation. Of you've got an opportunity to do some energy savings,

it won't cost you anything. ...We'd like to look at a series of energy conservation measures."

   Anderson cited areas of potential energy savings that included: lighting, heating ventilation and air conditioning, thermostat controls,

window and door replacements and insulation.

   Anderson told commissioners they could borrow money for the project and it would not add to the county's debt.

   "My problem is that even though we can borrow the money, are we going to put a burden on future commissioners," Commissioner Gary Heaton said.

   "You're basically upgrading your buildings  at no cost," Anderson said. "That's the unique part of this legislation."

   "We know there's a need," Heaton said. "But I have to know how we pay for it."

   Heaton said he would like to discuss the matter with other counties and municipalities currently working with the Perfection Group.

   "We're at such a fine line, financially, if we don't see the savings..." Commissioner Shane Wilkin said.

   "We guarantee it," Anderson said.

Commissioners agreed to let the firm begin an energy audit at no cost to the county.

***

Grandey, Warnock 

discuss next year's budget

Commissioners also met with Highland County Prosecutor Jim Grandey and Highland County Treasurer Vickie Warnock to discuss the county's delinquent

tax and assessment collection (DTAC) budget.

   "We want to give you a heads up," Grandey said. "We've moved as much as we could into the DTAC budget. It still takes money to recover delinquent

taxes. We've had tremendous success sending out letters before foreclosure; however, it takes money to do that. I'm going to request $5,000 in 'other'

expenses to help collect real estate taxes. When you get our budget request (for next year), this is why. Vickie will have a high cost related to

collecting delinquent land taxes."

   Grandey pointed out that the "cost of publication is horrendous" with the newspaper (not The Highland County Press) currently publishing the

county's delinquent land taxes.

   Grandey also said he was requesting less in salary than Ohio law stipulates for a county prosecutor. He also said he was budgeting for staff

furlough days again next year.

***

Help Me Grow

grateful for support   

Danielle Ratcliff and Heather Gibson updated commissioners on the Help Me Grow program and thanked the commission for its continued support of the

program.

***

Resolutions

* Commissioners, by a 3-0 vote, authorized an appropriation of funds in the amount of $7,170 as participating local funds for the Ohio Valley Regional

Development Commission to be used as part of the agency budget for the fiscal year beginning Jan. 1, 2011.

* Commissioners, by a 3-0 vote, authorized a modification to the General Fund budget, County Airport, from Other Expense to Airport, Other Expense, in the amount of $670.17.

Letter from Judge Kline

Commissioners also received the following letter from Court of Appeals Judge Roger Kline regarding staffing at the clerk of courts office:

Commissioners Wilkin, Heaton, and Horst:

First, the court wants to thank everyone for the help they have provided and the ideas they have shared to improve the timely processing of our work

at the Highland County Clerk's office. In these economically trying times, it is imperative that everyone work together to ensure that the needs of the

public are met.

Aaron McHenry, our court administrator, recently spoke with (Clerk of Courts) Paulette Donley and reported that Ms. Donley is encouraged by the

offers of support given by Judge Coss and Judge Greer. In fact, Ms. Donley has already implemented some of the ideas to resolve the "timeliness"

problem. Apparently, these changes are working because Mr. McHenry reports that since our meeting with you on April 28, we have not had any

"timeliness" issues arise. Thus, it is our hope that the "timeliness" problem has been resolved. Consequently, my thoughts on a meeting are to

wait and see. That is, a meeting might not be necessary, but let's leave the possibility open in case the "timeliness" problem arises again.

We welcome any feedback or other suggestions you may have.

Sincerely,

Roger L. Kline

Commissioners met with Rick Anderson and associates from the Cincinnati-based Perfection Group regarding an energy audit of the county-owned buildings at their June 2 meeting. Anderson, who said he'd met with the county commission "1 1/2 or 2 years ago," explained state and federal legislative changes that could make it easier for government entities to borrow money for more energy-efficient operations.

   "The last time I was here you said you didn't have any money," Anderson said.

   "We still don't," Commissioner Tom Horst replied.

   "I know," Anderson said. "But we just want to talk to the counties about energy legislation. Of you've got an opportunity to do some energy savings,

it won't cost you anything. ...We'd like to look at a series of energy conservation measures."

   Anderson cited areas of potential energy savings that included: lighting, heating ventilation and air conditioning, thermostat controls, window and door replacements and insulation.

   Anderson told commissioners they could borrow money for the project and it would not add to the county's debt.

   "My problem is that even though we can borrow the money, are we going to put a burden on future commissioners," Commissioner Gary Heaton said.

   "You're basically upgrading your buildings  at no cost," Anderson said. "That's the unique part of this legislation."

   "We know there's a need," Heaton said. "But I have to know how we pay for it."

   Heaton said he would like to discuss the matter with other counties and municipalities currently working with the Perfection Group.

   "We're at such a fine line, financially, if we don't see the savings..." Commissioner Shane Wilkin said.

   "We guarantee it," Anderson said.

Commissioners agreed to let the firm begin an energy audit at no cost to the county.

***

Grandey, Warnock 

discuss next year's budget

Commissioners also met with Highland County Prosecutor Jim Grandey and Highland County Treasurer Vickie Warnock to discuss the county's delinquent

tax and assessment collection (DTAC) budget.

   "We want to give you a heads up," Grandey said. "We've moved as much as we could into the DTAC budget. It still takes money to recover delinquent

taxes. We've had tremendous success sending out letters before foreclosure; however, it takes money to do that. I'm going to request $5,000 in 'other'

expenses to help collect real estate taxes. When you get our budget request (for next year), this is why. Vickie will have a high cost related to collecting delinquent land taxes."

   Grandey pointed out that the "cost of publication is horrendous" with the newspaper (not The Highland County Press) currently publishing the county's delinquent land taxes.

   Grandey also said he was requesting less in salary than Ohio law stipulates for a county prosecutor. He also said he was budgeting for staff furlough days again next year.

***

Help Me Grow

grateful for support   

Danielle Ratcliff and Heather Gibson updated commissioners on the Help Me Grow program and thanked the commission for its continued support of the program.

***

Resolutions

* Commissioners, by a 3-0 vote, authorized an appropriation of funds in the amount of $7,170 as participating local funds for the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission to be used as part of the agency budget for the fiscal year beginning Jan. 1, 2011.

* Commissioners, by a 3-0 vote, authorized a modification to the General Fund budget, County Airport, from Other Expense to Airport, Other Expense, in the amount of $670.17.

Letter from Judge Kline

Commissioners also received the following letter from Court of Appeals Judge Roger Kline regarding staffing at the clerk of courts office:

Commissioners Wilkin, Heaton, and Horst:

First, the court wants to thank everyone for the help they have provided and the ideas they have shared to improve the timely processing of our work

at the Highland County Clerk's office. In these economically trying times, it is imperative that everyone work together to ensure that the needs of the

public are met.

Aaron McHenry, our court administrator, recently spoke with (Clerk of Courts) Paulette Donley and reported that Ms. Donley is encouraged by the offers of support given by Judge Coss and Judge Greer. In fact, Ms. Donley has already implemented some of the ideas to resolve the "timeliness" problem. Apparently, these changes are working because Mr. McHenry reports that since our meeting with you on April 28, we have not had any "timeliness" issues arise. Thus, it is our hope that the "timeliness" problem has been resolved. Consequently, my thoughts on a meeting are to wait and see. That is, a meeting might not be necessary, but let's leave the possibility open in case the "timeliness" problem arises again. We welcome any feedback or other suggestions you may have.

Sincerely,

Roger L. Kline