By: James Pruitt
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
At the July 12 Fulton County Board of Commissioners meeting, the board took the following actions:
The board approved a resolution to support the Maumee Valley Planning Office’s efforts to update the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy as well as form an Economic Development District for Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Paulding and Williams counties.
Heard the quarterly investment review from Meeder Investments. The county has $21,768,000 invested in various accounts ranging in duration from 0-1 year (35 percent) to 4-5 years (10 percent).
The county earns about $265,302 in annual interest. Its portfolio is 37 percent with U.S. Agencies, 61 percent with FDIC insured accounts and 2 percent other.
The representative talked the current economic picture. While the nation unemployment rate is at its lowest point since 2006, the labor force participation rate is at its lowest since the late 1970s.
Opened bids for the Bridge B8.7 replacement project and received one from B. Hill’z Excavating of Wayne, for $147,997. The engineer’s estimate was $135,000.
The board tabled a proposal to enter into a contract for 2016-17 with the Ohio Attorney General for Delinquent Debt Collection on behalf of the Western District Court to allow time to consult with the county prosecutor.
At the July 14 meeting, commissioners:
Received correspondence from Terry Fruth, director of Finance of Quadco Rehabilitation Center in Stryker about a capital grant being sought to provide transportation to elderly and adult disabled persons in Defiance, Fulton, Henry and Williams counties.
The grant may ask for two light transit vehicles with wheelchair lifts. It is estimated that 338 people may use the service during the five days of operation.
Other entities, regional, public or private that provide transportation services are invited to submit proposals and comments.
The board learned the Fulton County Regional Planning Commission won’t be hiring a new director and will instead use the services of the Maumee Valley Planning Organization.
In a letter from RPC President Bob Trowbridge the applicants didn’t fit the position or demanded a wage that was too high.
Signed a loan agreement with the Ohio Public Works Commission for $175,000 to reconstruct Road M.
The total funding for the project is $625,000, with $450,000 coming from local sources. The scope of the project is between CR 23 and SR 66 in Gorham Township.
The county signed another loan agreement for $175,000 for replacement of bridges M23.9, 0.9 mile west of CR 23 over Stag Run in Gorham Township. Bridge 8.7 is on Township Road 8 between Township Roads 8 and 9, 0.7 mile west of TR 8 over Branch 1 of York-Henry 3 in York Township.
The county will accept sealed design/build proposals for a 9,000-square-foot storage building at the Soil and Water Conservation District at the Robert Fulton Building, 8770 SR 108 in Wauseon.
The proposals are due by 10 a.m. Aug. 30 at the commissioner chambers. A complete set of criteria is available for viewing at the county offices from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Commissioners approved a change in the project cost for Detwiler Manor Project.
The original plan was to remove an unused elevator shaft, but further investigation found deterioration of the roof where the shaft it. As a result, the shaft top will get new bricks and the roof resealed along with refurbishing some rusted metal at a cost of $18,785.
The county awarded the replacement of Bridge 8.7 to B. Hill’z Excavating for $149,997. They were the lone bidder for the project estimated to cost $135,000.
The board took from the table a proposal to enter into a contract for 2016-17 with the Ohio Attorney General for Delinquent Debt Collection on behalf of the Western District Court.
James Pruitt may be reached at
publisher@thevillagereporter.com