PORT AUTHORITY … Port Authority President Dave Newcomer was present at the October 3, 2022 Williams County Commissioners meeting along with Dawn Fitzcharles and Bill Martin, to give an update to the commissioners on what the organization has been accomplishing. (PHOTO BY REBECCCA MILLER, STAFF)
By: Rebecca Miller
Williams County Commissioners filled their Monday morning, October 3, 2022, with two executive sessions, three regular sessions and a departmental meeting.
The day began with the 8:30 EMS monthly meeting, with Kyle Brigle, Tiffany Gutierrez and Jesse Brumbaugh gathering in the commissioners’ office to give their update.
At 9:00, they moved into the first executive session to discuss employment.
The familiar face of county engineer Todd Roth was seen at 9:30 with a short update on the Kunkle Sewer Project as they are tying up loose strings.
Roth showed the commissioners a map as he explained that during the project, the county had purchased some specific property near the lagoon.
One of the property owners needs a crossing and in the process of the project, he ended up without one.
Paperwork has been done to correct the situation so that he has a crossing, basically doing a land swap between the county and the farmer.
Roth also reported that there is some money available which is being held until they are sure all details have been covered.
There is a leak in the discharge wall and it is being determined whether the cost of the repair has to be covered by the contractor or the county.
In General Session, the commissioners approved:
- Resolution 257 Transfer Resolution
- Also Signed: Credit Card Appropriations on behalf of auditor and recorder for the month of October; a checklist for tile and ditch repair; Updated insurance forms; insurance enrollment with CEBCO; and letters to elected officials and department heads
- Minutes of the previous meeting and payment of bills
At 10:30 the cccommissioners welcomed Port Authority members Dawn Fitzcharles and Dave Newcomer along with Spangler Candy’s Bill Martin.
Newcomer gave a report on the Port Authority, beginning with a little history. The Williams County Port Authority was created by the commissioners in 2007.
They are a “semi-public entity that is responsible for managing and improving the construction and maintenance of infrastructure, the leasing or concessionary provision of this infrastructure to private companies, and the growth and competitiveness of the local economy.
The Port Authority also facilitates economic activity, capital investment, and job creation and retention.”
Information in the power point that might help readers better understand the purpose of the Port Authority, stated, “In 2018, Williams County, Ohio completed a Housing Opportunities Assessment (HOA) to identify housing opportunities and strategies to facilitate housing development within the county.”
“The HOA identified that a market exists to support an additional 300-450 housing units and ‘displays all the tell-tale signs of a housing market poised for growth.’”
“The Williams County Port Authority (WCPA) wishes to support economic development and county communities by facilitating, promoting and helping to advance the development of residential housing in Williams County.
The WCPA can pursue other opportunities as they may appear that serve to enhance the quality of life and/or the economic attractiveness of Williams County.”
“The overarching goal is to attract and retain jobs, investments and support the housing opportunities in Williams County communities.”
In his report, Newcomer thanked the commissioners for recommending the East Annex Conference room as the designated public meeting place, saying that this has helped in making their regular meetings more accessible.
The group meets on the 4th Wednesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. The Williams County Prosecutor is now their legal advisor as they entered into a legal representation agreement with Katie Zartman.
They have also entered into an accounting agreement with Weber Bookkeeping Solutions.
They are using State Bank & Trust Company and Farmers & Merchants State Bank as their two public depositories and have secured three line of credit accounts, one with State and Bank & Trust and two for lumber and supplies with Menards and Big C Lumber.
They have also executed agreements for public officials’ bond and insurance,
Working with the Williams County Landbank (Land Reutilization Corporation), the Port Authority has been able to secure vacant property with utilities on site to redevelop older neighborhoods.
Newcomer listed three in three different communities that are ready, with the one on Ohio St. in Montpelier moving forward with ground breaking this week.
He was excited to announce that they have met with larger scale developers and property owners and are looking toward helping to bring into being, a piece of property in Montpelier on the corner of 576 and CR K on the southwest corner.
He also mentioned a spot with 24 lots in West Unity, and a 48-unit multi-family complex possibly in the works in Bryan, and that the Port Authority is acting as the facilitator to bring the two entities together to help this happen.
Other things that the Port Authority has been doing included meeting with the Mayor’s Association and attending community council meeting to promote initiative.
They are having ongoing discussions with two additional communities about possibilities there. Bill Martin, of Spangler Candy Company has assisted the employer communication effort on behalf of the Port Authority and they are also working on getting state and federal officials on board.
The commissioners went into a second executive session with the three Port Authority reps present, to discuss the acquisition of property.
Rebecca can be reached at rebecca@thevillagereporter.com