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Highland County Commissioners David Daniels, Brad Rose, and Terry Britton made several maintenance-related approvals and heard updates on county investments during a brief meeting Wednesday, Jan. 17. .
The agenda included approval of the county’s new records storage building, which is under construction. Highland County Kennel Fence. Several different repairs to the Highland County Justice Center.
Regarding building records, Daniels said the contractor, Alpha Construction, proposed a change order because “additional fire alarm work is required.” Commissioners voted 3-0 to authorize Daniels to sign the order “if and when it is accomplished,” as Daniels said he was still waiting for more information.
Also approved was a $2,956 quote from Ellis Fence Company for fencing changes at the Highland County Dog Pound.
“From what I understand, there was wire at the bottom of the fence, but it wasn’t tight enough to prevent the dog from going under it,” Rose said. “They now want to add his 1-5/8 tubing to the bottom for more stiffness.”
The Highland County Justice Center’s approval began with approval to run Securitas Technology’s Prox-Keypad Access Control Reader for $520.82.
“They have been working on upgrading their technology systems, removing old systems and putting in new ones,” Daniels said.
Commissioners then approved two separate estimates from Weller’s Plumbing and Heating. One is a booster pump for water pressure, which costs him $1,180. Estimate for exhaust fan is $1,612.
Finally, the commissioners accepted two different quotes from Gordon Plumbing in response to recent emergency repairs. Daniels said the initial repair cost was “less than $10,000.”
“Eventually, the plug was pulled, so I signed an emergency order around January 2nd or 3rd to move forward with pulling the plug,” Daniels said. “Since then, they’ve come back, started the work, and then realized they needed additional repairs or additional work that they weren’t expecting. That’s what this new citation is for.”
Approved Wednesday was $1,200 for pipe inspection and cleaning and $10,500 for liner and epoxy.
“These are all operational issues that occurred as part of normal wear and tear,” Daniels said of the Justice Center citations.
Four estimates for isolation valves for the Rocky Fork Lake Sewer System were also discussed but not implemented.
“If we find someone who hasn’t paid their bill and doesn’t have a disconnect device, we’re going to go in and put a disconnect device on that line,” Daniels said.
Commissioners received a quote from AK Excavation of $1,200 per unit. The estimate from Bob Evans Construction is $800 per unit. Estimate from Brandon Vance is $1,050 per unit. The quote from Unger Construction is $680 per unit.
The other approvals each passed by 3-0 votes.
• Commissioners appoint Roades as the 2024 Solid Waste Management District Policy Board Designate.
• Commissioner approving a budget amendment of $5,500 from the transfer of funds to the Auditor (1000) Fund.
• Commissioners approve a standard annual agreement with the Village of Greenfield regarding indigent defense services in county court.
In a separate discussion, Highland County Treasurer Vicki Warnock held an investment advisory committee meeting and reported that the county received more than $2.3 million in interest from various investment accounts last year.
Warnock’s 2023 totals include:
• STAR Ohio: $333,586.87 in interest, current interest rate is 5.58%.
• STAR Plus: $121,527.05, 4.05% interest rate.
• Fifth Third (CD): Interest rate of $178,517.85, average interest rate of 2.46%.
• Checking account: $471,152.37 in interest, 5.2% interest rate.and
• ICS account: $1,215,987.84 interest rate, 5.58% interest rate.
“The total interest earned in 2023 was $2,320,772 from the investment,” Warnock said. “Interest rates are still very good. I hope they continue to do so.”
In response to Daniels’ question about whether any changes needed to be made, Mr Warnock said that the “only funds” they could move were those in their ICS accounts, but that “they paid 5.58 per cent on that to us”. I’m not sure if I should move this elsewhere since I’m paying for it.
“The first half will now begin. [property tax collection] It’s going to be here soon, and as that money comes in, that amount will go up,” Warnock said. “If you can get a 5.58% return, that would be the best place to leave it alone for now.”
After the regular meeting, the commissioners were scheduled to hold the following additional meetings:
• Zoom meetings with Highland health care providers.
• Board meeting to consider purchasing real estate.and
• Board meetings to review employee compensation and policies.
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