(PHOTO BY RENEA KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
COMMISSIONERS … Vice President Scott Lirot, President Terry Rummel, and Bart Westfall make up the board for the Williams County Commissioners.
By: Renea Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
renea@thevillagereporter.com
In their first meeting of the year, the Williams County Commissioners established their priorities for 2025. They elected Terry Rummel as board president and Scott Lirot as vice president. Their meeting days will remain the same, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Commissioner Rummel mentioned that he asked the other two commissioners to bring items they want to accomplish by 2025 to the meeting, so they can discuss and create a list to work towards those goals.
The top priorities agreed upon include the North Annex building, finding a solution for Williams County EMS funding, improving 911 communications, and funding sewer system updates in a reasonable manner.
Commissioner Lirot went on to discuss his concerns with the North Annex building. “I’ve read the space study that was done for Williams County, I didn’t think that they covered enough departments in the county,” said Lirot.
Lirot believed that the Williams County Job and Family Services should have been considered in this study as well. He suggested that the commissioners visit the facilities together to discuss them further before making any permanent decisions.
Commissioner Rummel addressed his concerns, stating that they also have the issue of the Williams County Common Pleas Juvenile and Probate Divisions, which would like to all be on the second floor of the courthouse.
Commissioner Westfall chimed in saying he agrees with the North Annex building being a priority and that the final drawings for renovation should be ready soon to go to bid.
Lirot discussed the sewer issues in the Bona Vesta area that need to be addressed. He and Rummel both emphasized that the county should explore ways to fund major repair and maintenance projects, such as the imminent replacement of the Hickory Hills plant, without imposing charges on residents who are on septic systems.
All three commissioners agreed that the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) should undergo evaluation. They briefly discussed the possibility of reinstating a program that would provide stipends to volunteers.
Additionally, they considered options for reducing hospital transfers or increasing the payment for such transfers during the hours of 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Rummel also expressed his desire to continue pursuing collaboration with the City of Bryan.
Ditch maintenance, maintaining the fairgrounds and airport, developing a county-wide long-term plan, resuming monthly updates from other departments and offices, and considering the option for residents to attend meetings virtually were several priorities discussed as well.