PHOTO BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
SEWER PLANT … (Left to Right) Administrator Vond Hall, County Engineer Todd Roth, MVPO Nicki Reese, MVPO Dennis Miller, and associates discuss potential funding options for the Exit One Sewer Plant.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Williams County Commissioners met for their regularly scheduled meeting on August 21, 2025, at 10:16 a.m. A monthly informational update meeting was held at Hillside Country Living prior. Commissioner President Terry Rummel and Scott Lirot were in attendance.
After calling the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance, the board approved the minutes from the August 14, 2025, meeting.
Rummel moved to amend the presented agenda to include an executive session with the Williams County EMS to discuss employment.
The executive session began at 10:18 a.m. and ended at 10:47 a.m. with no action taken.
Directly afterwards, the commissioners were joined by County Engineer Todd Roth and associates, and the Maumee Valley Planning Committee (MVPO) members Dennis Miller and Nicki Reese.
A discussion was held on economic growth near Exit One, and what necessary sewer plant accommodations would have to be made for support.
With hopes of doubling the capacity and improving overall operations, Roth continues to explore what options would be the most beneficial and profitable for the county.
With a developmental company ready to begin engineering new business in the area, the county is operating on an expected six-month deadline to create a plan.
While rerouting discharge to Nettle Lakes or new locations in Edon were considered, it was ultimately decided that revamping the current plant would be the most cost-effective choice.
Dennis Miller of the MVPO noted that this project would qualify for the upcoming Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and has the potential of qualifying for $300,000 in grant funding.
With estimated costs still in the works, the developmental company contracted has expressed interest in accommodating some of the financials as well.
“If we can acquire $500,000 from the CDBG program and other funds, will the TIFF money generated be directed to the rest of the costs? Can we allocate some TIFF money for these improvements?” Roth asked. No final decisions with TIFF money have been made; however, the Commissioners continue to discuss different options.
In order to bring more businesses and sites to the Exit One location, a total renovation is required, as the plant is already functioning at full capacity. “We have to develop this area,” Rummel stated.
“We are going to continue to grow this area, which I believe will help with our sales tax revenue generation. Do we believe this new plant will help growth in this area?” he asked Roth. “If the current plant can’t handle it, we will simply have to tell the companies no,” Todd affirmed.
The commissioners moved forward to approve the payment of bills, along with the supplemental transfers to the Williams County EMS, Board of Developmental Disabilities, and the Common Pleas Court.
It was noted that the large transfer to the EMS was for the purchase of the emergency transportation vehicle from Oregon, Ohio, totaling $41,000. Rummel noted that it was given as a gift out of the general fund, and not as a loan.
An annexation hearing was scheduled by Tom Thompson for October 16, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. This request was filed by the sole property owners, Deb and Rich Meyers, to be annexed from Madison Township and into the Village of Pioneer.
Advertisements for sealed bids will begin on Thursday, September 11, 2025, for the purpose of the 2025 pavement markings program.
The commissioners approved an IV-E contract for child placement with “Better Life to Embrace.” An additional addendum to a previously signed IV-E agreement with Adriel Foster Care was passed, adding $297,000 to the previously allocated care cost amount of $400,000. The term is from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025.
An invoice from Hill Asphalt LLC, which partnered with MVPO, for the Northwest Township ADA Parking Improvement program, was signed. In addition, a permit to work in county/township right-of-way limits was approved for Charter Communications for County Road 19.50 and County Road 18. Qualstar Communications was also approved on behalf of Metalink, with more to follow in the future.
A letter was received by the commissioners in regards to Fountain Creek Senior Villas. They informed the Board that they will be proceeding with a housing development near the Senior Center in Bryan, Ohio.
It will offer 50 residential units with an open-floor plan. “The Port Authority and Mayor of Bryan worked very hard to make this happen,” Rummel commented.
An engineer’s report was received for information on the Ebersole ditch. It was noted that Terry Rummel will be abstaining from voting. October 23, 2025, marks the hearing date.
The commissioners adjourned at 11:48 a.m. The regular Tuesday meeting, held on August 26, 2025, has been cancelled. The regular Thursday meeting, August 28, 2025, will continue as scheduled.