Commissioners OK funds for elevator repairs; Scott House transfer moves forward

In an effort to ensure that what goes up also comes down safely, the Highland County commissioners have approved a $51,549 estimate for renovations to the elevator in the Highland County Administration Building.

At the Nov. 28 board meeting, commissioners Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Jeremy Shaffer voted, 3-0, to approve an estimate from the Otis Elevator Company.

"This will retrofit the existing elevator to ADA standards," Wilkin said.

"Basically, this will make it a brand-new elevator," Horst said.

"It's got to be done," Shaffer added.

Horst said the county can expect three weeks for the completion of repairs and installations. "They can start before the end of the year," he said.

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Commissioners also said they have had recent discussions with Hillsboro City Schools Superintendent Rick Earley regarding the district's plan to transfer the historic Scott House from the school district to the commissioners to the Highland County Community Improvement Corporation and finally to the Highland County Historical Society.

Commissioners said the school district was considering a special board meeting this week for the property transfer.

The Hillsboro City Schools Board of Education will meet in special session Monday, Dec. 3 at the Hillsboro Board of Education Office, 39 Willettsville Pike, at 8 a.m. for the purpose of sale of property.

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Commissioners also held a very brief discussion on the county's contract with Environmental Engineering Service (www.enveng.com) of Lebanon.

The county contracts with EES for the Rocky Fork Wastewater Treatment Plant.

"We don't have any choice but to look at some sort of increase," Wilkin told the board. "We can talk to Frank (Leone, the EES marketing and administrative manager) and Steve (Canter, EES president)."

Wilkin suggested commissioners look at the contract next week.

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Jeremy Smith and Bill Turner of Champion Energy met with commissioners on a followup proposal to contract for the county's electricity purchase in 2014 and beyond.

The county has an existing purchase agreement in place for 2013.

"There's no sense in messing with it after this," Smith said. "If you go to 2014 and can pay what you're paying now, you're good."

Smith also told commissioners "The longer you wait (to lock in future rates), the more it costs. Do you honestly think it's going to be less in 2014 than it is in 2013?"

"I don't know," Wilkin replied. "Personally, I don't have enough information right now."

"You can't store electricity," Smith said. "If you wait until 2014, you'll pay more."

"For my own peace of mind, I'd have to have at least two more estimates," Wilkin said. "This is terribly confusing for everyone. Everybody puts on a different spin. We'll have to get at least two more prices and go from there."

"Do you want us to get two more prices for you?" Smith asked.

"No. We'll take care of it," Wilkin said.

"Your current broker is Muirfield," Turner said. "Whatever it is, we'll be under it."

"If Muirfield Energy was doing you justice, he'd have been here already," Smith said.

"He's been here," Wilkin replied.

Smith later stated "There's three companies I will not do business with." Smith named the companies during open session and later asked that The Highland County Press refrain from publishing the names of the three companies he mentioned. (Out of professional courtesy to the three companies – and not in deference to the Champion representative – the newspaper is not naming those businesses.)

Wilkin instructed the Champion representatives to put their best rates in writing and the county would obtain other rates for comparison.

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Commissioners approved two new members to the Highland County Airport Authority. Following earlier recommendation by President Darrell Wilson, commissioners approved Mark Edenfield and Bob Prosek as new members of the authority.

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Commissioners met with Highland County EMA representatives Jim Lyle and Dave Manning regarding budget concerns for the emergency management agency.

According to Manning, past practices by previous commissions have been "hit and miss, but nothing sustaining" in the way of funding.

"The biggest thing is we don't want to start out with only $38 like we did last year," Lyle said.

The EMA is seeking $22,000 for operational costs from the commissioners.

"Mr. Fawley (Highland County Auditor Bill Fawley) is looking at our budget (for 2013) and we should have a number within two weeks," Wilkin said.

"Tentatively, let's say we'll have an answer by Dec. 12," Horst said.

Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins said she has a resolution completed from a previous EMA request. "The commissioners' contribution and the signatures are all that's needed," Collins said. "I did this in May."

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Sandy White from Highland County Recycling presented positive budget news to commissioners, saying that she hadn't counted on $5,500 from the Solid Waste District in her previous budget. With some additional savings, White sought and received commissioners' approval for next year's budget.

"Essentially, you found the money yourself?" Collins asked.

"Yes," White said.

"I make a motion that Sandy moves forward and authorize the budget for Highland County Recycling and that she check on state purchasing for a new computer," Wilkin said.

Commissioners agreed by a 3-0 vote.

The Nov. 28 meeting adjourned at 9:45 a.m.