Commissioners wrap up 2024 calendar year with more ARPA commitments

Highland County commissioners David Daniels, Brad Roades and Terry Britton officially closed out the 2024 calendar year with their final end-of-year approvals, including appropriating more COVID-19 recovery dollars, during a meeting Monday, Dec. 23.

As previously reported, commissioners approved two resolutions related to committing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars during their Dec. 18 meeting, as the deadline to obligate funds is Dec. 31.

According to commission clerk Ashleigh Willey, three more resolutions for ARPA funding were approved Monday. Those include:

• A resolution to direct a portion of the County’s Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund for engineering services/contract administration and miscellaneous costs associated with the Rocky Fork Lake WWTP Improvements in the amount of $582,948.

As previously reported, commissioners voted in October to award the project to Mechanical Construction Co., Inc., in the amount of $1,172,800. Commissioners voted Dec. 18 to direct $200,000 in ARPA to the second phase of the Rocky Fork Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement project, as ARPA funds have been used, in part, to pay for both phases of the upgrades.

• A resolution to direct a portion of the county’s Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund for Basic Engineering Services & Contract Administration for the Highland County Engineer Truck Barn Project (WDC Group) in the amount of $500,000.

State Senator Shane Wilkin (R-Hillsboro) announced in June the investment of $1 million from the One-Time Strategic Community Investment Fund (OTSCIF) to support the project, which will accommodate over 20 trucks.

Commissioners previously voted in November to direct $2 million of their ARPA dollars to the project. The amount committed exceeds the initial request made when commissioners reviewed potential ARPA projects in 2022. At that time, Engineer Chris Fauber submitted a $1.4 million proposal to build a new 115’x160’ truck/equipment storage facility, replacing an approximately 50-year-old structure.   

• Commissioners also directed a portion of the County’s Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund for legal services to Bricker & Eckler in the amount of $24,150. The county has used that firm for legal representation on federal funding.

Commissioners also made the following other approvals Monday:

• Two change orders for Clay Township park improvements, one with Kiley Construction and one with Ultra Pro Painting, were approved.

As previously reported, the county received $250,000 for the demolition of the former Buford school, which has been completed, and subsequent renovations. Kiley Construction is the contractor for park improvements, and Ultra Pro Professional Painting is working to refurbish the playground equipment.

Earlier this month (Dec. 11), Britton said the state has granted an extension to June 30 to complete the work.

• Commissioners authorized the commission president to execute a classification and compensation study with Clemans Nelson & Associates Inc.

• A standard annual contract with the Montgomery County Microfilming Board for microfilm storage for the recorder’s office was approved.

• Commissioners approved a Water Pollution Control Loan Fund Agreement contract with the Director of Environmental Protection and Ohio Water Development Authority.

• Commissioners authorized a budget modification within the 2510 Chore Services fund in the amount of $3.03.

• Commissioners authorized an additional appropriation from unappropriated funds within the 2100 Board of DD Fund in the amount of $1,348.40.

• Commissioners authorized an additional appropriation from unappropriated funds within the 2045 Hotel Lodging Tax Fund in the amount of $4,333.71.

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