PHOTO BY RENEA KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
MERCHANT … Commissioners table the merchant agreement with the Fulton County Fair until further information is provided.
By: Renea Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
renea@thevillagereporter.com
The Fulton County Commissioners handled a broad range of business during meetings held March 31 and April 2, 2026.
Commissioner Jon Rupp was absent for the March 31 session, while Commissioners Jeff Rupp and Joe Short were present for both meetings.
During the March 31 meeting, commissioners approved the minutes from March 19, the agenda, payment of bills, appropriations requests for various departments, and an acceptance letter for the 2026 Community Development Block Grant administration proposal and fee schedule.
They also reviewed the county sales tax report, correspondence from the Ohio Department of Taxation regarding real property value reappraisals, a Fulton County Transfer Facility inspection report from the health department, and a notice that the Engineer’s Office and Highway Department would close the afternoon of April 3 for Good Friday.
One item involving the Fulton County Fair was postponed. A resolution that would have authorized the county to enter into Contract 2026-33 with the Fulton County Fair for 2026 merchant space for the Commissioner’s Office was brought forward
After discussion and a request for more information, the board chose to table the matter until the county administrator could return the following week.
The board also approved legal action and advertising for bids for an airport project involving the construction of a T-hangar and taxi lanes.
In a separate action tied to workforce development funding, commissioners rescinded a previously approved sub-grant agreement after learning the wrong agreement had been sent, then approved the corrected version with the Greater Ohio Workforce Board.
They also entered into a contract with Local Government Services on behalf of the auditor, canceled their regular April 23 session so they could attend the Land Bank Conference, authorized a request for proposals for a comprehensive feasibility, governance, and preliminary engineering study for the Fulton County segment of the Wabash Cannonball Trail, approved an agreement for a Clerk of Courts BMV module upgrade, and approved purchase orders and travel requests.
Later in the meeting, commissioners reviewed projects submitted for 2026 CDBG funding. A representative from MVPO presented two proposals for critical infrastructure.
One was the City of Wauseon’s West Chestnut Street waterline replacement project, which includes separation of combined sewers, replacement of a waterline dating to 1897, lead service lines, and sanitary and storm sewer work.
That project was estimated at $2,726,300.50, with Wauseon requesting $500,000 in CDBG funds. The second was the Village of Fayette’s West End storm sewer replacement project, intended to upsize a stormwater pipe blamed for flooding and sinkholes.
That project was estimated at $132,000, with Fayette requesting $120,000. The next step in the process was expected to be a second public hearing, where the projects would be officially presented for board selection.
At the April 2 meeting, commissioners approved the minutes from March 31 and the day’s agenda, then reviewed the Fulton County Juvenile Court 2025 Annual Report.
The report noted continued use of the Northwest Ohio Juvenile Detention, Training, and Rehabilitation Center near Stryker for detention, mental health, drug and alcohol treatment, and correctional counseling services.
It also stated that 37 youths were placed on official probation in 2025, with 24 carried over from 2024, for a total of 61 youths on official probation during the year.
The annual report further showed 162 official delinquent and unruly cases, 41 unofficial cases, and 121 traffic cases in 2025.
Among other actions, commissioners proclaimed April 2026 as National County Government Month.
They also approved reimbursement request No. 1 under FAA grant No. 3-39-0087-023-2025 in the amount of $73,463 for the airport’s Construct T-Hangar Phase 1 design and reconstruction of weather reporting equipment.
The board also canceled a planned bid opening for lawn maintenance services after determining the specifications needed revisions that could affect contractor bids, making it necessary to rebid the project later.
Commissioners also approved a $4,801.25 payment request to Wessler Engineering for the Pleasant View Wastewater Treatment Plant project and authorized the board president to enter into a Workers’ Compensation Group Retrospective Rating Plan agreement with the County Commissioners Association of Ohio.
They also approved the appointment of a CEBCO voting representative and alternate, along with purchase orders and travel requests.
