Highland County commissioners issue Red Ribbon Week proclamation

Highland County commissioners Brad Roades, Terry Britton and David Daniels recognized Red Ribbon Week, set to be observed Oct. 27-31 in Highland County, with a proclamation issued during their Wednesday, Oct. 22 meeting.

Accepting this year’s proclamation were Kelly Dennis and Bill Showman of Paint Valley ADAMH, accompanied by representatives of several area school districts and treatment partners: Alisha DeBoard, Latrell Haithcock, Raegan Malblanc and April Putnam.

Congress established Red Ribbon Week in 1988. The week raises awareness of drug use and the problems related to drugs and encourages parents, educators, business owners and other community organizations to promote drug-free lifestyles. Red Ribbon Week encourages the entire community to adopt healthy, drug-free lifestyles. This year’s theme is “Life Is A Puzzle, Solve It Drug Free.” 

Dennis told commissioners that Paint Valley ADAMH is again sponsoring its annual Write In Red contest, which is sponsored by ADAMH for high school and middle school students within the ADAMH district (Highland, Fayette, Pickaway, Pike and Ross counties). Scholarships and prizes are awarded to school and county winners selected for their essays.

“The essay contest that we have available would award a $100 scholarship to each winner of each school district, and then each county of those winners, we award a $500 scholarship to the county winner,” Dennis said. “Additionally, the activities during the week, which is next week, just help promote healthy choices and healthy lifestyles.”

Those activities will be taking places in schools across the county, as Red Ribbon Week traditionally includes dress-up days with a different theme each day, along with other drug-free programming. The ADAMH Board has suggested the following themes: Monday, “Life Is A Puzzle, Solve It Drug Free” (dress in all red); Tuesday, “Pieces of a Puzzle” (dress like your best friend); Wednesday, “Follow Your Dreams” (wear pajamas); Thursday, “Cheer Others On to Be Drug Free” (wear school spirit apparel); and Friday, “Say Boo to Drugs” (wear Halloween gear).

After meeting with the group, Roades read the proclamation that recognized both Red Ribbon Week as well as Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Month in October. 

“We encourage all citizens, schools, businesses, organizations and agencies to join in raising awareness and standing beside our youth and working together to ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow up in a healthy, safe and strong environment,” Roades read from the proclamation.

In other discussion:

• After a drop in receipts the previous month, Highland County Auditor Alex Butler shared a more encouraging permissive sales tax receipt report for October. 

The county collected $882,192.21 for October, an 11.83-percent increase over the same month in 2024 ($788,841.88). It is also the second-highest monthly total for this calendar year to date, trailing only March 2025 ($960,161.96).

This comes after September 2025 had a 6.46-percent decrease from September 2024, with $813,782.46 collected.

“Last month was abnormally low,” Butler said. “The more critical number is the year-to-date difference, and we're just about 1.46 [percent] over where we were last year. 

“I think when it's all said and done, we'll collect just about the same amount as we did last year. We’re stable and predictable.”

Year to date, the county has topped $8.2 million, as the county collected a record $9.6 million in permissive sales tax receipts last year.

• Commissioners opened two bids for a roof replacement at the Because He Lives food pantry, using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding.

As previously reported, in May 2024, commissioners agreed to apply for funding for the project, as the food pantry submitted an application for $89,100, with a $3,500 match, for $92,600 altogether. The county was awarded funding through the state in late 2024.

The county received a bid from BK Contracting LLC in the amount of $65,150 and a bid from Roof Lynx LLC in the amount of $49,987. Roades said they would review the two proposals and award the project at their next meeting.

• Roades announced that the county will host a bid opening Nov. 15 for the snow removal and ice melt for county properties.

• It was also announced by Roades that Alex Stratton has been hired as the county sewer billing clerk, replacing Kristie Alexander effective Nov. 4.

• Commissioners approved a satisfaction of mortgage for a couple through the Community Housing Impact and Preservation (CHIP) Program for Highland County Community Action. 

“They’re selling their place, and they need to get their lien released,” HCCAO housing director Jeanette Mottie said. “We’ve got to get this part settled, and then as soon as I get the check, then I will get the second part released.”

Commissioners also made the following approvals, each by a 3-0 vote:

• A notice of award to Jay Car Construction Company, Inc. for the new truck storage and office facility for the
Highland County Engineer.

• Authorized certifications for Ohio Public Works Commission disbursements.

• A standard sale agreement contract with Greystone Systems, Inc. for meeting room projection screens.

• A resolution to reappoint Michael Richards to the Board of Developmental Disabilities for a four-year term starting Jan. 1, 2026.

• A resolution to authorize the Sheriff’s Office representatives to sign a 4117.14 (G)(11) waiver
with the FOP OLC to facilitate negotiations.

• A resolution to grant authorization for listed “Then and Now” purchase orders from Oct. 8, and the County Auditor is authorized to issue warrants for their payment.

• A resolution to grant authorization for the listed “Then and Now” purchase orders from Oct. 22, and the County Auditor is authorized to issue warrants for their payment.

• A budget modification within the 1000 County General Fund, Maintenance & Operations, in the amount of $31,000.

• A budget modification within the (1000) County General Fund, Commissioners, in the amount of $1,000.

• A request from EMA for an additional appropriation from unappropriated funds within the (2785) Right to Know Fund in the amount of $9,475.

• A request from the Highland County Engineer for an additional appropriation from unappropriated funds within the (4110) Engineer Building Improvement Fund, in the amount of $50,000.

• A budget modification within the (1000) County General Fund, Tec, in the amount of $1,500.

• A resolution authorizing the Recorder’s Office to declare listed items as no longer needed by the County and obsolete pursuant to ORC 307.12 (I). Therefore, the board declares the listed items to be surplus property and no longer needed by the county.

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