By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The Bryan Board of Public Affairs held their meeting on Tuesday, March 4th. The meeting began at 5:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Board members first moved to approve an amended agenda, along with minutes from the February 18th meeting. With no members of the public wishing to speak, board members moved on to discuss a resolution.
Resolution 7-2025 to support State Issue 2 for the renewal of the State Capital Investment Program on May 6th, 2025, statewide ballot was put forward.
It was stated that the Ohio Constitution allows the State of Ohio to issue bonds for local government improvement programs.
Approval from voters takes place every ten years, with this vote in May giving the program approval for the next ten years.
It was further stated that the program has funded over 19,000 projects in its lifespan and has awarded over $2.3 Billion to local governments in the past ten years, with Bryan receiving some of that money for its own local projects. One goal of this resolution is to put forward to voters how important the project is.
Next up was an update made to the BMU’s Compensation Program. This was done by the board moving to approve Resolution 8-2025, updating the Bryan Municipal Utilities Compensation Program for non-bargaining unit, hourly pay and salaried staff.
It was stated during the meeting that, back in December of 2024, the board passed Resolution 32 hat established and implemented the plan.
However, three positions were vacant at the time and were excluded. Now, there is an opportunity to fill one of those positions and the need has come to add those to the plan.
Following the resolutions’ approval, board members heard an update regarding the water treatment plant.
Board members were first reminded of past discussions regarding the water plant, along with previous actions that had been taken to rehabilitate filters on both the north and south side.
However, it was stated that 5-6 months ago an emergency situation was encountered with both filters. Following those repairs, one issue currently remains with the north filter.
Work was done to look at options for the filters repair, but questions remained regarding which path to take.
Two courses of action were presented to the board. Option one involved an immediate repair to the filter which will cost around $69,000. It was stated that this option was the most immediate and cost-effective option available.
Option two involved a long-term repair and would include the overhaul of the under drain, removal and installation of the header pipe and an encasement in concrete.
It was further explained that back hand calculations put this project around $1 million per filter but could be as high as $1.5 million per filter.
With long term goals already being looked at, which include the possibility of a new water plant being built, and the high cost of the long-term repair, it was decided to move forward with the immediate repair for $69,000.
Board members then moved on to approve the semi-monthly disbursements and payment of bills.
Comments were then made by board members before moving on to enter into executive session. With no other items to attend to, the meeting was adjourned.
