By: Renea Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
renea@thevillagereporter.com
The Fulton County Commissioners met for regular sessions on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, and Thursday, April 30, 2026, with commissioners Joe Short, Jeff Rupp and R.J. Lumbrezer present for both meetings.
Each session began with the Pledge of Allegiance, an opening prayer, and a roll call before commissioners moved through regular agenda items.
During the April 28 meeting, commissioners approved the minutes from April 21, approved the agenda, and approved payment of bills.
The board also reviewed Dog Warden reports for the periods ending April 11 and April 18. Commissioners then approved several appropriations increases and transfers for county departments.
The increases included $32,480 for opioid supplies, $24,692 for opioid professional services, $109,136.78 for real estate assessment reassessment contracts and $556 for GIS maintenance.
Transfers included $1,500 from SRT repair services to SRT equipment and $1,500 from commissioner advertising to commissioner uniforms.
According to supporting information from Fulton County EMS Coordinator Clayton O’Brien, the opioid funding included a request for the purchase and installation of 14 secure medication vaults for EMS apparatus, with a first-year cost of $37,172 and an annual subscription cost of $721.
The board also entered into Contract 2026-44 with Bowser Morner for miscellaneous testing services for County Bridges G24.6 and 24A.9 on behalf of the Fulton County Engineer.
The work is listed as materials testing and lab services for various locations. Commissioners authorized participation in the ODOT road salt contracts awarded in 2026, then approved Change Order No. 1 and Payment Request No. 1 for Contract 2025-95 with Parsons Excavating for Ditch Improvement Project 2152, Rod Short.
The change order increased the contract amount by $2,880, bringing the revised contract amount to $48,336.70, while the payment request was listed at $41,093.28.
The board also awarded the 2026 Asphalt Resurfacing Program bid to Gerken Paving Inc. in the amount of $4,467,466.60.
The engineer’s estimate was $4,146,250, and one bid was received. Commissioners also awarded the 2026 Seal Coat and Cold Mix Program bid to Ward Construction Co. in the amount of $1,836,730.45. The engineer’s estimate for that work was $1,748,710, and two bids were received.
In another April 28 action, commissioners authorized the board president to execute a letter committing $38,204.35 in HOME Program income and CDBG Program income for the PY26 Community Housing Impact and Preservation Program application through the Maumee Valley East CHIP Consortium.
The board also approved the disposal of unneeded, obsolete or unfit property for the engineer, authorized an advertisement for an employment opportunity with Job and Family Services, and approved purchase orders and travel requests.
The meeting adjourned at 9:05 a.m., followed by bid openings for the airport T hangar and taxilane project and 2026 lawn maintenance.
At the April 30 meeting, commissioners approved the minutes from April 28 and approved the agenda before moving into new business.
The board approved additional appropriation increases and transfers, including $181,707.14 for the 2025 Asphalt Resurfacing project account and $2,880 for contract projects related to Ditch Improvement Change Order No. 1.
Commissioners also transferred $520,000 from unappropriated Gas Tax and Motor Vehicle funds to contract projects.The board awarded the 2026 Lawn Care Services bid to Rock Solid Landscape LLC for $1,900 per mow of county-owned properties.
The recommendation came after bids were reviewed by Maintenance Supervisor David Lantz, who recommended Rock Solid Landscape as the lowest bid for grass mowing.
Commissioners also approved a payment request to Contract 2022-131 with Wessler Engineering for the Pleasant View Wastewater Treatment Plant project.
The payment request was for environmental services in the amount of $9,738.75. The board then approved legal notices and plans and authorized advertising for bids for the 2026 Fulton County Pavement Marking Program.
The legal notice states bids will be received until 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 20, 2026, with the engineer’s estimate listed at $151,358.
Commissioners also approved increases and transfers for postage reimbursement, including a $11,754.24 appropriation increase and related transfers.
Purchase orders and travel requests were also approved. The board then voted to enter executive session pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 121.22(G)(4) to conduct a collective bargaining session. Afterward, commissioners ratified the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 9 a.m.