City lacks funds for block grant repaving project
The city of Hillsboro has informed the Highland County Board of Commissioners that it wants to modify a block grant project for the repaving of Pleasant Street.
In a letter dated Aug. 31, Hillsboro Safety and Service Director Richard
Giroux told commissioners:
Due to an unforeseen financial shortfall, the city of Hillsboro is unable to provide the matching funds for the FY 2011 Block Grant Project, Repaving Pleasant Street. The city committed ‘to no less than $26,031’ toward the Pleasant Street paving project. We ask that the project be amended in one of two ways:
1. Reduce the scope of the project to approximately 400 linear feet
2. Change the project from paving to installing approximately 1,000 linear feet of sidewalk
We are in contact with Mark Current, grant coordinator, Community Action Organization, waiting for instructions from the Department of Development on
how to proceed. We appreciate your consideration of this amendment to the FY
2011 Block Grant.
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“Our concern is whether the state will let us switch the project at this time,” Commission President Shane Wilkin said.
“If the state will allow them to do it, I have no problem with it,” Commissioner Tom Horst said.
“This could have a long-term impact,” Wilkin said. “You have to compete (for the grants).”
“You wouldn’t get your guaranteed allotment from the state next year,” Commissioner Jeremy Shaffer said.
“Next year, they’ll have to compete with everybody in the county.”
The commissioners office said Thursday the Ohio Department of Development agreed to let the city of Hillsboro do the paving project on Pleasant Street on a smaller scale to meet the budget.
Commissioners also met with Highland County Job and Family Services
Director Debbie Robbins regarding a telephone system upgrade.
Robbins presented four estimates – one each from DLM, Greystone, Horizon and
the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
“How does this work for you, budgetarily?” Wilkin asked.
“It’s OK for us,” Robbins said.
She proposed an outright purchase through the ODJFS at an estimated $38,418.30 for a 10-year “useful life” system.
She said there were reimbursement funds available from the state.
“I would have Anneka (Highland County Prosecuting Attorney Anneka Collins) take a quick peek at the contract,” Wilkin said.
Highland County commissioners proclaimed the month of September as National Recovery Month: Prevention Works, Treatment is Effective, People Recover in Highland County during Wednesday’s board meeting.