(PHOTO BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
CDBG PROGRAM … The Maumee Valley Planning Organization gave an updated report of the CDBG Program applicants to the Commissioners on Tuesday morning.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Williams County Board of Commissioners convened on Tuesday, May 20, with a full agenda centered on infrastructure improvements, department updates, and future project funding.
Commissioner Scott Lirot was absent, due to attending and representing Williams County in a leadership conference in Washington D.C.
Among the notable items, Commissioners approved several resolutions, including appropriations for several departments; the Court of Common Pleas Probate Juvenile Division, the Engineer’s Office, and Job and Family Services.
Also passed was an agreement for asphalt paving under Project 5-2025 and a renewal of the Passport Medicaid Waiver Agreement.
Resolution 25-0233 was additionally approved, supporting the Ohio Department of Youth Services Juvenile Court Grant and its related funding application.
Several events were announced, such as the Monument Dedication at the Williams County Veteran Memorial Building on May 26 at 2:00 p.m. The POW/MIA Viaduct Dedication on the east side of Montpelier will be held on May 23, at 1:00 p.m.
Permits were accepted and passed from the Commissioners. For county and township right-of-way projects, one permit was passed for Qualstar Communications, Inc., and another 26 for Charter Communications, Inc.
Two courthouse permits were signed for approval, the Williams County Indivisible Alliance, DEEDS (Defiance, Fulton County Democrats) for a protest rally for democracy, and the Wesley United Methodist Men Annual Chicken BBQ on the Bryan Square.
The commissioners received a report on the proposed license plate fee increase (ORC 4504.24), from Todd Roth of the Williams County Engineers. This would involve a $5 increase to the current cost.
Mentions of implementation at the end of June in order to collect the following year were suggested. The cost would go towards the upkeep and maintenance of the roads in the county.
President Terry Rummel also proposed an increased sewer rate in order to gain appropriate funds in case of an emergency.
EMS representatives discussed billing changes to be brought to the Williams County EMS division and Hillside finances.
An in-house manual billing system is currently used, but the system is outdated and often not used by surrounding counties.
The proposed change to a contracted third-party billing system, Ohio Billing Incorporated, offers a wide range of services. They offer a 90-day trial period, where either party can back out if expectations are not met.
With a 5% price quote and a contract period of two years, the commissioners authorized Vond Hall, Administrator, to sign on their behalf to get the process rolling. Ohio Billing Inc. provides an unmatched amount of services, and over time, is projected to bring income back into the county.
The CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) second public hearing was held at the May 20 meeting, with multiple representatives from local villages and towns in attendance. The grant offers two different categories; Critical Infrastructure and Allocation funds.
The Critical Infrastructure Program is a state-wide competitive program designed to help communities with funding for high-priority and single-purpose projects. Williams County is encouraged to put forth their best, or highest priority, projects in hopes of securing the grant.
Applying for the critical grant were the City of Bryan (High to Wilson Sanitary Sewer Replacement), the Village of Montpelier (Main St. Waterline Replacement), and the Village of West Unity (S Liberty St. Pump Station Replacement).
Each of these projects aids low to moderate-income populations. The total amount of the grant offered is $470,000.00, with all three areas applying for the full amount.
Selected for application were the City of Bryan and the Village of Montpelier. As the Bryan Sanitary Sewer Project is considered maintenance, no permits were necessary, and they provided excellent documentation to further their case.
Eighteen manholes, 65 sanitary sewer tap replacements, installation of 8-inch sanitary sewer conduits, and pavement, sidewalk, and curb restoration will be included in the project.
Montpelier’s project was the most expensive, with an estimated cost of over $2.3 million to replace 3,400 linear feet of piping across the town. The plan consists of water main upgrades, lead service line replacements, and 42-meter pit replacements.
Both Bryan and Montpelier were considered safe options, as water and sewer projects often receive these grants. This was a key reason the commissioners made their decision. However, there was some hesitancy, as the board noted the urgent need for West Unity’s pump station replacement.
Other grants and additional funds were discussed to help West Unity, with plans to commence further with this project in the future.
Due to the pump station not servicing the entire town, more credentials and information were necessary before further action could be taken.
Three towns applied for the Allocation grant. The Village of Stryker (Ferro Elevated Water Tower Restoration), the Village of Edgerton (Lynn St. Sidewalk Replacement), and the Village of Pioneer (Crommer Park Parking Lot Construction) are seeking funding for their projects.
With the objective of providing services for low- to moderate-income populations, Edgerton also hoped to achieve compliance with ADA regulations.
Commissioners moved forward to choose the Village of Stryker for the Allocation grant, totaling $134,000 for construction and $30,000 for administration.
The Stryker Village plans to remove any lead paint that still exists internally and externally in the water tank. Restoration will extend the life of the project by a minimum of 20 years and will be in compliance with updated EPA requirements.
Rummel thanked everyone for their dedication to the towns in Williams County. He felt as if he had been more involved with projects this year and learned a lot about the needs of the area.
Rummel noted it was a tough decision, and he wished there were enough funds to go around for everyone, however, the county has to put its best foot forward to secure a spot for the grant. He encouraged the villages not chosen to apply for other grants offered and discussed at the meeting.
With no further business to attend to, the May 20 Commissioner meeting was adjourned at 10:40 a.m.