(PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
CDBG … Community Development Planner Abby White speaks to the Fulton County Commissioners at the 2nd hearing for the CDBG Program.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
Meetings for the Fulton County Commissioners were held on Tuesday, April 15th, and Thursday, April 17th, 2025. The meetings each began at 9:00 a.m., with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer.
Commissioners first moved to approve minutes from the previously held meetings, along with the current day’s agenda and approval of the bills.
Each of the meetings also saw a list of items receiving approval from Commissioners, with those items listed below.
APRIL 15th
-Resolution 2025-255: Approve Appropriations Requests for Various Departments.
-Resolution 2025-256: Dispose of Unneeded, Obsolete, or Unfit Property for Adult Probation Department.
-Resolution 2025-257: Authorize Participation in ODOT Road Salt Contracts Awarded in 2025.
-Resolution 2025-258: Approve Personnel Request on Behalf of JFS.
-Resolution 2025-259: Approve Personnel Request on Behalf of JFS.
-Resolution 2025-260: Approve Purchase Orders and Travel Requests.
Following a brief recess, the meeting resumed with a presentation from community development planners Abby White and Lorenzo Zamora.
They outlined potential projects for funding through the Community Development Block Grant program, specifically through two critical infrastructure grants and a set-aside allocation.
Three applications were considered. The first was for the Village of Fayette in the amount of $120,000 of a project costing $197,000, to replace the aging roof on its water treatment plant.
The second was for the City of Wauseon in the amount of $470,000 to support utility and roadway improvements on Chestnut Street, part of a project exceeding $2 million in estimated cost.
The third was for the Ability Center, which applied for $20,000 to support accessibility-related home improvements for disabled residents, with a total project cost of $24,260.
Fayette Mayor Dave Borer addressed the commissioners and explained that the water plant roof has not been replaced in over four decades.
He described water leaks that had already caused issues to chlorination equipment and detailed how the flat rubber roof has deteriorated, particularly in areas where air conditioning units had once been installed.
Borer also stated that skylights on the roof would be replaced before they became a problem. He expressed support for the Ability Center’s initiative and indicated a willingness to reduce Fayette’s request to $100,000 to allow room for the other project.
Following discussion, commissioners agreed that the project selections would be made based on the current known allocation, with the understanding that funding adjustments could be made if future allocations change.
A motion was made and approved to allocate $100,000 to the Village of Fayette, $470,000 to the City of Wauseon, and $20,000 to the county-wide accessibility program, per funding availability with the CDBG Grant. The meeting was then adjourned at 9:32 a.m.
APRIL 17th
-Review Dog Warden Report for periods ending March 15th, 2025, and March 22nd, 2025.
-Resolution 2025-264: Approve Appropriations Requests for Various Departments.
-Resolution 2025-265: Approve Oversight of Contract 2025-37 with Fulton County Fair on Behalf of JFS – Merchant Space.
-Resolution 2025-266: Approve Oversight of Subgrant Agreement 2025-38 with Ohio Department of JFS, Ohio Department of Medicaid, and Ohio Department of Children and Youth on behalf of JFS.
-Resolution 2025-267: Approve Legal, Plans, and Authorize Ad for 2025 Pavement Marking Program.
-Resolution 2025-268: Approve Purchase Orders and Travel Requests.
In addition to regular business, the commissioners received an investment update from Scott Gruber for CMT and then later heard from Craig Kachmarik of Stapleton Insurance regarding the upcoming CORSA renewal.