(PHOTO BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
AIRPORT UPGRADES … (Left to Right) Dave Newcomer and Steve Fortner explain their planned expenditures toward airport upgrades in detail to the commissioners.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
On June 17, the Williams County Commissioners had their regularly scheduled session, directly after the Hillside monthly meeting held at 8:00 a.m.
The agenda was approved with no added corrections, along with the minutes and bills from the following week. Commissioners Rummel, Lirot, and Westfall were all in attendance.
During old business, the Board reviewed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Village of Pioneer regarding the recently proposed EMS ambulance.
The MOU will be delivered and potentially signed at the Pioneer Council Special Meeting, held on Thursday, June 19. “I’m really happy with this and can’t believe it went this fast,” commented Rummel.
The County EMS is still in the process of securing the vehicle from the City of Oregon, and is anticipating either a sealed bid or for the vehicle to be listed on govdeals.com
A series of new business resolutions was introduced to the session. Approved appropriations included supplemental funding for the Williams County Airport Authority, the Court of Common Pleas, the Engineer’s Office, Job and Family Services, and the Department of Aging.
A community corrections grant agreement was approved by the commissioners, involving community-based law enforcement services. Grant funds total $817,167, with the term ending June 30, 2027.
An additional purchase agreement was passed between Best Equipment Company and the Williams County Engineer’s Office for the purchase of a 2025 Freightliner Vac Truck. This vehicle was also secured by grant money.
A rental contract on behalf of the Department of Aging was accepted for their annual Thanksgiving Luncheon to be held at the Veterans Memorial Building. The dates are currently set for November 19 and 20.
“It’s a very nice event,” Westfall explained, “The Department of Aging puts it on, and it’s well received. The elected officials and employees donate their time to serve.”
Transportation services were addressed by entering a contractual agreement between K&P Medical Transport and the Williams County JFS.
This affects eligible clients, most commonly those who have Medicaid and Medicare, and is used mainly as a way to provide necessary transportation for medical care.
“People will tell you there’s a huge transportation problem in Williams County,” said Rummel. “It will help out our families.”
Lastly, a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Memorandum of Understanding was approved between Local Workforce Area 7 and the Ohio Means Jobs Center.
An airport update was delivered to the commissioners at 10:00 a.m. by David Newcomer and Steve Fortner.
Detailed plans for funding shifts and planned improvements were presented, including a ten-year plan. The report showed over $433,000 in planned expenditures, including the purchase of AWOS-related land, fuel farm concrete rehabilitation, the purchase of a snow removal tractor, and design costs for a new hangar.
The airport is using about $175,000 of its own profit towards this huge project. They came to the commissioners to request an additional $258,000 worth of funding from the general fund.
Newcomer explained that once their plan meets its financial requirements, they expect to receive over millions back in funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
“It’s important to mention that out of that $258,000, we are going to receive over 4 million dollars in upgrades to the airport,” Lirot noted.
An AWOS system alone is expected to increase the number of flights the County airport can receive, as many airplanes depend on an AWOS to fly.
Over time, the system is set to generate more revenue for the county and airport alike. The commissioners approved the transfer. The meeting adjourned at 10:35 a.m. with no further business.