Shaffer questions process related to Rocky Fork Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades

A Highland County commissioner is questioning the authorization process related to an estimated $800,000 repair and rehabilitation project at the Rocky Fork Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant.

As reported by The Highland County Press on June 20, 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 on June 19 with Frank Leone of Environmental Engineering Services in Lebanon.

At that meeting, 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 told commissioners 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.

On Friday, July 19, Highland County Commissioner Jeremy Shaffer questioned the official authorization for the project.

In an emailed letter to Commissioners Shane Wilkin and Tom Horst, Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins and Paint Township Trustee Randy Mustard, Shaffer said: "I have concerns regarding the Rocky Fork Wastewater Project.

"I believe my email to you on June 17 may have prompted Frank Leone, from Environmental Engineering, updating the Commission of the potential project on our June 19 meeting.
 
"I believe we, as a Commission, did not authorize or accept the bid from Environmental Engineering. I firmly believe that proper authorization has not been given by the Commission to incur capital debt for the new Rocky Fork sewer project. My questions are listed below so that they are easily referenced, these questions are not to Environmental Engineering, they are to the process and direction of this project by our office."

Shaffer's questions included: 

• Do we have to award the contract for the Rocky Fork Project to an engineer through the Qualifications Based Selection Law ORC 153.65 - .73?
 
• Was Environmental Engineering chosen as an engineer for Highland County Public Works projects according to the Qualifications Based Selection Law on past capital projects, and do we have that on file in our office?
 
• Are we going to award the Rocky Fork design project officially to Environmental Engineering by way of a voice vote or resolution?
 
• Are we going to take official action in the form of a resolution or voice vote authorizing the OWDA loan Acct. No. 6430 amount of $94,845 for Planning & Design of Pump Station & WWTP Improvement at the Rocky Fork WWTP?

At their Dec. 5, 2012 meeting, county commissioners voted, 3-0, to raise the Rocky Fork Lake area 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.

There was no objection by board members to the proposed upgrades at the June 19 meeting of the county commissioners.