Some debate, some concern and some positive news

Recent public meetings have had ample debate regarding the disbursement of what are taxpayers' dollars. That is not necessarily a bad thing.

During a special meeting of Hillsboro City Council on April 27, debate continued regarding a seasonal mowing expense and whether city employees should be task with the work or should it be bid to an outside provider.

As reported, on April 13 council voted against an emergency resolution that would have approved a $49,530 bid to mow all of Liberty Park, the Railroad Street Park, Crossroads Park and the Rotary Park (below the firehouse) for 26 mowings from May 1-Oct. 31.

Council member Jason Brown spoke out against the proposal at the April 13 meeting, saying it’s an “awful lot of money to mow for six months.” 

On the surface, he may have a valid point. However, after Hillsboro Public Works Superintendent Shawn Adkins explained his thoughts on the advantages of bidding the mowing to a private contractor, council revisited the issue this week.

After a second thorough discussion on the matter this week, Council President Tom Eichinger called for a motion to suspend the three-reading rule. The motion passed, 7-0. A subsequent motion to pass the resolution as an emergency also passed, 7-0.

The city will accept Adkins' proposal to bid the mowing services – with a caveat from council member Don Storer that since this work is being contracted, "We use our other men very efficiently so we make up for that time,” Storer said.

Seems reasonable. And that proviso probably should dispel any of those possible urban legends years ago about a deer stand, corn and trail camera being placed on city property at Liberty Park – at taxpayers' expense.

In the midst of these well-meaning debates, Hillsboro is fortunate to have at least two members of council who are consistent voices of calm and reason: Tom Eichinger and Mary Stanforth. We are fortunate they – and others – are willing to serve. Thank you.

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• Additional debate was evident at the April 26 Highland County Commission meeting. This was at least the third meeting that included discussion with representatives of the village of Greenfield over the release of federal funds (from the American Rescue Plan) for the village.

As we reported, the village was one of several local municipalities seeking a share of the county’s ARPA funds. The village submitted a request for funding to the county in 2022, seeking $550,000 for their Downtown Facade Improvement Program for small business owners. April 26 marked the third straight week representatives from Greenfield had attended a commission meeting regarding their funding request.

After two rather benign meeting discussions, things got real this week when commissioner David Daniels made public the mystery of the holdup, as he told representatives from the village of Greenfield that the county was waiting to “clear up a misunderstanding” between the county and the village of Greenfield on an unrelated matter involving the Workforce Development Center.

According to the conversation held in open session April 26, the county has invoiced and is waiting for a payment from the village of Greenfield for the Workforce Development Center, while Greenfield City Manager Todd Wilkin said the village cannot make a payment because a contract between the parties does not exist.

In an April 19 letter to The Highland County Press, Daniels expressed the county's issue. 

"We have been in communication with the village regarding a financial commitment they made to the county for the Greenfield/County workforce center in a letter from Todd Wilkin dated 11/02/2021. We billed the village for that commitment, and they have delayed payment according to Gary Lewis. According to Lewis, we need an MOU signed by the city manager. We are currently drafting that agreement. We have set aside ARPA funding for the village, and when we are able to complete the paperwork for the exchange of funds, we are glad to do so. We will have the necessary agreements ready in the next few days."

The Nov. 2, 2021 letter (sent from Todd Wilkin to Julie Bolender) reads, in its entirety: "Thank you for your work and efforts in establishing an educational facility to create and develop our local workforce. Our understanding is that the classroom will be located at the Highland County Community Action Building located at 1300 Jefferson Street. With this knowledge and the known partners, the Village of Greenfield will partner with the Highland County Commissioners and pledge a $1,000 per month to develop our local workforce for the next three years."

It is Wilkin's contention that the Nov. 2, 2021 letter should have resulted in a signed contract shortly thereafter.  

Daniels said this week, "There are no qualifications on this letter whatsoever. It doesn't say anything about ‘with the signing of this.’ I think we viewed this as a commitment from the city of Greenfield.”

Wilkin added that he doesn’t “understand why a commitment not affiliated with” the ARPA funds is “holding up” the county’s commitment to award those federal funds to the village.

That led to yet another back-and-forth between Daniels and Wilkin, with Wilkin insisting there is “no contract” and Daniels asserting “a promise was made” by Wilkin “to fund” the Workforce Development Center and that his “refusal” to do so was holding up their ARPA award.

“When this gets settled, we can proceed,” Daniels said.

Wilkin replied, “Send us a contract.” Commission President Terry Britton said they would.

At the behest of Greenfield council member Phil Clyburn, Greenfield law director Hannah Bivens clarified the village’s policy.

“I explained to Todd that it would be relevant to have a contract so we understand what the commitment is from both parties,” Bivens said.

Seems reasonable. (Although a revenue stream of $1,000 a month to the county budget is akin to $1 billion a year to the bloated federal bureaucracy. It's almost not worth the paperwork.)

After weeks of debate, it appears the county and village are close to reconciling their differences. Both sides have valid concerns, and it's better to discuss these openly and honestly than to seek a closed-door negotiation. It's time to move forward, and I believe all parties will do just that.

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• There are positive things happening in Hillsboro, Greenfield and around the county.

Several property owners praised Greenfield’s Facade Improvement Program. Last year, Greenfield celebrated 15 ribbon cuttings in the downtown business district. That is huge.

Wilkin clarified that the program is called a “Facade Improvement Program,” but improvements are for “the building envelope,” including roofing, windows, heating and air, as well as painting and other improvements.

A mural celebrating the Patterson and Sons Company will have its dedication ceremony on June 3 during this year's Greenfield Music Festival.

Longtime Greenfield business and property owner Pat Hays told commissioners this week: “I just want to emphasize that the the downtown business owners and the property owners appreciate the commitment from the commissioners of the ARPA money that I believe is going to be coming to Greenfield."

Hays said that whatever contribution made by the county will “be doubled.” Bivens explained that is because “it's a half grant, half revolving loan fund” used to continue the program.

“It's very important,” Hays added. “We appreciate your support, and I personally appreciate the city of Greenfield and their downtown facade program.”

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• Also reported this week, OHM Advisors, an architecture, engineering and planning firm, is one of the planners that the Ohio Department of Development selected to participate in the $500 million Appalachian Community Grant Program, which aims to revitalize, enhance and rebuild the economies of 32 Appalachian counties. 

OHM Advisors will start work on a first-phase project in Greenfield. According to Greenfield City Manager Todd Wilkin, three potential projects for consideration in Greenfield include:

• A parks district that will include Mitchell and Felson parks, the quarry and a connection to Paint Creek Lake;

• A downtown boutique hotel; and,

• A downtown streetscape program with a widening of sidewalks, outdoor eating spaces, lighting and speakers.

According to Wilkin, the village has until October to develop and submit its proposal. 

"There's no guarantee of funding," Wilkin said, "but at the end of the day, we will have a plan that we can use to propose for future opportunities."

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• In Hillsboro, it was announced that an uptown revitalization project – designed to foster small business and economic development growth – is a step closer to reality.

The Hillsboro Business Complex, LLC in collaboration with JobsOhio, Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE) and the city of Hillsboro, just announced a $1 million investment to redevelop three adjacent buildings in the historic section of downtown Hillsboro. The planned development includes the renovation of existing office space on the ground floor and the creation of co-working/shared workspace on the second floor of all three buildings.

Dale Martin, owner of the Hillsboro Business Complex, LLC, noted the project is the result of strong, local partnerships and a vision for revitalization in the community.

The Hillsboro Business Complex is a mixed-use project totaling 7,048 square feet and spanning three buildings on North High Street. Once completed, the complex will house the Highland County Chamber of Commerce, the Highland County Visitors Bureau, the Hapner Law Office, the Bell City School of Music and The Hive, which will be 3,348 square feet of co-working space.

“I am happy to announce this exciting project and appreciate the support we received from the City of Hillsboro, OhioSE and JobsOhio,” Martin said.

Local partners involved include Grow Highland County, The Ohio State University Business Development Center, the Highland County Economic Development Department, the Highland County Workforce Leadership Council and the Highland/Fayette/Clinton Safety Council.

"We're thrilled to have partnered with JobsOhio and Dale Martin on this project,” said Hillsboro Mayor, Justin Harsha. “Hillsboro is seeing an unprecedented number of investments throughout the city. The hard work and efforts of our own investment in the community is paying off with visible change, investment, opportunities and growth."

Let's keep it going.

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• Lastly, we are hearing from residents in Paint Township regarding the increases in sewerage fees. We understand your frustrations.

Commissioners did award a $2.5 million bid for the first phase of the Rocky Fork Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements Project during their April 26 meeting.

By the usual 3-0 vote, commissioners passed a resolution to award the Phase 1 bid to Doll Layman, Ltd., in the amount of $2,597,700. Bids were to include “all labor, tools, equipment and materials necessary” for a number of improvements, including construction of two new secondary clarifiers; construction of new RAS/WAS pump station; replacement of up to four brush aerators in the oxidation ditches with new disc aerators; replacement of existing mixer with new mixer; construction of new flow splitter; demolition and utility relocation work; yard piping/valves; and electrical work.

Last November, commissioners voted to implement a 38-percent increase for Rolling Acres, to $50 per month; and a 20-percent increase for the county’s Lakeside system, to $48 per month. At that time, Daniels said users in the Rocky Fork Lake sewer system should also expect rate increases.

As more than one resident has surmised: "When the choice gets down to buying food or paying a sewer usage fee, if we can't afford the food, we don't need the sewer."

I suspect that sentiment is prevalent in the ever-increasing line at the drive-thru free food pantry on North Shore Drive. If you think things are great for everyone, economically, just witness the number of people served at the North Shore Drive free food program or the one on Route 247 south of Hillsboro on Fridays. (May God bless those who provide food for those in need.)

All in all, the county remains a great place to live and work. For the most part, the political debates are not overly common – nor over the top. Let's work together, be grateful and keep moving forward.

Or, as my dear friend the late Mary Brown Turner ended every visit to my office: "Onward and upward!"

Rory Ryan is publisher and owner of The Highland County Press.