(PHOTO BY JENNA FRISBY / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
UPCOMING PROJECTS … Commissioners were brought up to date on the Williams County Port Authority’s application process for the Welcome Home Ohio project at their regular meeting on Tuesday, August 6th.
By: Jenna Frisby
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jenna@thevillagereporter.com
The Williams County Commissioners met for their regular meeting on Tuesday, August 6th. Their regular meeting held in the East Annex Building was called to order by Commissioner Bart Westfall at 9:38am.
In attendance were Commissioners Bart Westfall and Terry Rummel, Clerk Anne Retcher, Port Authority members Dawn Fitzcharles and Bill Martin, as well as Edgerton Mayor Bob Day and Bryan Mayor Carrie Schlade.
After calling the meeting to order, Commissioner Westfall asked Retcher if there was any business items to present before them. Retcher announced that there were resolutions to present of which she then presented those resolutions.
All resolutions were read, motioned, and passed by all the commissioners. Those resolutions are as follows:
Resolution 24-0271: A resolution approving the county auditor to create new lines and make supplemental appropriations from and to the following funds:
Williams County Commissioners – $3,997.08 from Unappropriated, $2,938.33 from Workers Compensation to Repairs-Courthouse ($6,935.41) for power washing courthouse and courthouse steps; Williams County EMS – $175.23 from Workers Compensation to Other Expense for ARPA retention-return of overpayment.
Williams County Hillside Country Living – $1,714.47 from Refunds-Private to Supplies-Other for hallway photos; $11,750.00 from Unappropriated to Repairs-Equipment for repairs; $526.16 from Unappropriated to Supplies-Other for garden projects.
Williams County Sheriff’s Office – $3,000 from Workers Comp to Seminars & Training Expense to replenish line.
Resolution 24-0272: A resolution granting the Williams County Port Authority the permission needed to apply for the Welcome Home Ohio Program grant in the amount of $3,500,000.
Resolution 24-0272 grants the Port Authority to submit the application needed for grant funding in the amount of 3.5 million dollars. The funds will help to aid in building 14 home units.
These homes will be distributed throughout Williams County on the perspective and real properties of which the Port Authority has.
Each of the homes will be 1500 square feet and will consist of three beds, two baths and either an attached or detached garage. The units will also be duplex or condominium like units meaning the units will be two separate homes with one conjoined or shared wall.
The developer with whom the Port Authority will be working to build these unithas already built hundreds of others and has over 400 design layouts.
The Port Authority’s goal is to provide affordable housing for those who desire to be homeowners in the working class of Williams County. Therefore, those in the working class with a median annual income around $60,500 will be able to afford these homes.
The Port Authority has already built 16 homes within Williams County which have been able to provide affordable housing for the working class.
Currently the Port Authority is still looking for lots within Williams County. Anyone interested in potentially selling their property can reach out to the Port Authority for more information.
After the presenting of the resolutions, Retcher also presented the commissioners with a pay request for the expenses of commissioners Hilkert, Westfall and Rummel to attend the Andre Composting Tour-Four County Jt Solid Waste Management District on August 28, 2024. Expenses for approval are for fuel to travel to and from the event.

With no further business to be discussed or presented before the board Westfall adjourned the meeting at 9:58am.