Commissioners pledge support of courthouse fountain project

Highland County commissioners have agreed to pursue a memorandum of understanding between the county and the city of Hillsboro for the installation of a new water fountain on the southeast corner of the Highland County Courthouse property.

Commissioners Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Jeremy Shaffer met with Hillsboro Safety and Service Director Todd Wilkin on Wednesday, July 23 to discuss the proposed fountain.

"We know this is county property, and we thought it would be good to collaborate with the county," Todd Wilkin said.

The safety and service director presented an overview of the plans and said Fountain Specialist, Inc. (of Milford) would provide the installation.

The base of the fountain would be 22 feet in diameter and would be located where the flagpole and flower box currently are. He said the city is looking at a system design that can be functioning year-round with a constant flow of water.

"We don't want it to be a mosquito cesspool," he said. "We're also looking at lighting for the fountain."

"You (the city) would be responsible for everything, we would just be giving you the land?" Horst asked.

"Correct," Todd Wilkin replied.

Shane Wilkin asked the board if there were any objections.

"I did have some reservations at first, but I don't see any reason why we would object," Horst said.

"Fountain Specialist is who we're working with, and when we get the final specs, we'll bring them over to you," Todd Wilkin said. "The donor would like to see it running by this fall."

As previously reported by The Highland County Press, Mayor Drew Hastings announced that he has been working with "a very generous citizen who's offered to pay for, and dedicate, a large fountain uptown to the city."

Hastings estimated the fountain project to cost "probably $25,000 or so" and said that he would be meeting with Highland County commissioners for approval to install the fountain in uptown Hillsboro near the courthouse.

Hastings said that the city had looked into including a fountain in a proposed uptown "Trimble Plaza," and that this donation "now lowers the cost of the plaza by $25,000, since the fountain would be elsewhere and would be subsidized, or paid for, by the citizen."

Hillsboro resident and longtime local businessman Bob Bagshaw told The Highland County Press that he made the donation to the city of Hillsboro.

"Hillsboro has been very good to us and I wanted to give something back," Mr. Bagshaw said.

"We're very appreciative of the donor," Todd Wilkin said.

"I think we should consider a plaque to recognize the donor," Shane Wilkin said.

Commissioner Wilkin informed the safety and service director that he would meet with Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins for a written memo of understanding on the project.

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In other business, Highland County Auditor Bill Fawley presented the latest permissive sales tax revenue report.

The July revenues (for May sales) were $524,423.54, up from $504,052.37 a year ago. The $524,423.54 total was the second highest of the year and third highest in the last two years.

Commissioners also received a letter of appreciation from Ross County commissioners James Caldwell, Douglas Corcoran and Stephen Neal for donating $70,613 of Highland County's Federal Aviation Administration Non-Primary Entitlement funds to Ross County.

These were funds that Highland County did not use this year, and they can be donated back in the future, commissioners said.

"Your donation is a great example of local governments working together to promote economic development and job," the Ross County commissioners said.

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Resolutions

Commissioners approved the following resolutions, each by a 3-0 vote:

• A request from Highland County Department of Job & Family Services for a transfer of funds from Public Assistance to Child Support Enforcement Agency in the amount of $15,224.73.

• A request from HCDJ&FS for a transfer of funds from PA to CSEA in the amount of $28,442.23.

• Additional appropriation from unappropriated funds to Capital Improvement General in the amount of $100,000.

• Commissioners set a time and date for public viewing and hearing for Brushcreek Road, Highland County for Aug. 6 for a 10 a.m. viewing and 11 a.m. hearing. Commissioner Shaffer said the Nature Sanctuary is requesting ownership of the road and will maintain it.

• A request from HCDJ&FS for a modification of appropriations within the Children Services Special Fund.

• A request from HCDJ&FS for a transfer of funds from PA to Children Services in the amount of $40,396.77.

• An approval for Gilbert Construction to make repairs on the west side doors to the Highland County Courthouse.