Commissioners approve $447,968 for 911 upgrade, Justice Center roof

By Rory Ryan
The Highland County Press

Highland County Commissioners Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Jeff Duncan welcomed veterans and active-duty military personnel – serving with Capt. Anthony Strong and the 1001st Quartermaster Company in Chillicothe – at their Wednesday, May 27 board meeting.

The veterans, representing multiple branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, were present for a proclamation presentation in conjunction with this weekend’s Vietnam Veterans Traveling Tribute, “The Wall,” at Liberty Park in Hillsboro from May 27-31.

Just prior to the meeting, commissioners and all in attendance, observed a moment of silence on the passing of longtime public servant and fellow veteran Dan Cowdrey. (See http://www.highlandcountypress.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=20&ArticleID=27857)

Before signing the proclamation, commissioners thanked the VFW, Veteran Services Commission and Support Our Troops Of Highland County and asked all veterans present to stand and be recognized and appreciated for their service.

“We extend our gratitude to each and every one of you,” Wilkin said. “I wish I had better words to say other than ‘thank you.’”

Stephanie Roland of Support Our Troops Of Highland County also thanked the veterans, saying: “I thank each veteran and active-duty soldier we have. What you have chosen to do is unsurpassed,” she said. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”

In their proclamation, commissioners noted there are 58,307 names on the Vietnam Traveling Memorial, including three sets of fathers and sons and 31 sets of brothers.

In reading the proclamation, Wilkin said: “To those fallen heroes from Highland County on the wall, we honor your service: Charles Lovedahl; Stephen Colopy; Neil Morris; David McConnaughey; Carey McAfee; Daniel Feck; Charles Vest; David L. Carey; James Waulk, Jr.; Raymond Crouse; William Brown; James Brister; Daniel Hively; Donald Priest; Mark Hook; and Ollie Gross.”

Support Our Troops of Highland County also has arranged for The Eyes of Freedom: Lima Company Memorial to be at Liberty Park for the duration of the Vietnam Veterans Tribute.

Opening ceremonies will be noon Thursday, May 28, and all events are open to the public.

For information, go to: http://www.highlandcountypress.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=27737&Section
ID=2&SubSectionID=20&S=1.

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Good news for HCSO, Justice Center

• In other business, commissioners approved 911 emergency dispatch upgrades and a new roof at the Highland County Justice Center. The two projects combined for a total cost of $447,968.65.

Commissioners voted, 3-0, to upgrade the 911 emergency center with EmergiTech at a total cost of $179,449 and to include upgrades, new work stations and telephones.

Prior to the vote, Wilkin asked Highland County Auditor Bill Fawley, “Are you good if we say ‘not to exceed $180,000?’”

Fawley nodded in the affirmative.

Brian Fluegeman of EmergiTech told the board, “We don’t quote (a price) and go over very often. I went with Eric’s (Daniels) word that it’s capable of doing what we want.”

“We started talking about this in February, and we need to get it done,” Duncan said.

According to Horst, the 911 upgrades have been in discussion since last year. “I would make a motion to go forward with this,” he said.

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• After approving the 911 upgrade, commissioners discussed a state-contracted bid for a new Duralast roof for the Justice Center. The quoted price is $268,519.65, with a 25-year warranty. The existing roof had a 10-year warranty, commissioners said.

The $268,519.65 expense to the county is well below previous estimates by KZF Design, Wilkin said.

“KZF’s first estimate was $500,000, up to $980,000,” Wilkin said.

After receiving those estimates last year, commissioners continued looking for other options.

Horst made a motion to recommend the Duralast roof. Following a second by Duncan, the motion passed, 3-0.

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Resolutions

The board also passed the following resolutions, each by a 3-0 vote.

* A reimbursement of funds requested by Job and Family Services for contracted services in the amount of $1,493.03.

* An additional appropriation in the engineer’s office in the amount of $6,092.50.

* An additional appropriation to the sheriff’s office equipment line item in the amount of $80.