BID OPENING … Prior to the bid opening at the Williams County Commissioners March 3, 2022 session, for Asphalt Emulsion, pleasant chats were held. From left to right, were bidders Rick Reynolds of Asphalt Materials, Inc. out of Oregon, Ohio, David Tribolet of KTech Specialty Coatings out of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Bard Westfall who is running for Commissioner, County Engineer Todd Roth and Project Manager Ron Buda (PHOTO BY REBECCA MILLER, STAFF)
By: Rebecca Miller
Thursday morning, March 3, 2022, began for the Commissioners in an executive session at 8:30 a.m. with County IT Director Jeremy Suffel to discuss security concerns. They came out of executive session with no action at 9:06 and went into regular session to approve items of the day:
-Transfer Resolution, Minutes of February 28, 2022, and payment of bills
-Resolution 74 Authorizing the purchase of a 2022 AEV Type III Ford E-450 Remount Ambulance at a cost not to exceed $138,889
-Resolution 75 Authorizing purchase of a PowerCot and PowerLoad System, a Lucas Device, a Lifepak Heart Monitor and two Philips Heart Monitors from the Stryker Corporation at a cost not to excee $154,609.40
-Resolution 76 Advertising for Sealed Bids for Project #03-022 Asphalt Paving Program – sealed bids will be received until 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 24, 2022 for Asphalt Paving Program, for Williams County, Ohio.
-Also Signed: letter to Ohio Housing Finance Agency Board in regards to senior housing; Dog Warden Report for week of February 21-27; Credit card expenditures for Prosecutor’s Office for March and for Recorder’s office; and monthly dog warden report for February.
Following a short recess, the commissioners went into a second executive session with WC Health Department Director Jim Watkins and Dee Custar in regards to purchase of real estate. There was no action taken.
Back in regular session at 10:20, Commissioners Lew Hilkert and Terry Rummel met with Todd Roth, Cody Frey and Ron Buda, from the Engineer’s Office to have a follow up conversation about the work session held last week on Bona Vesta, Halloks and Hickory Hills.
Mr. Roth explained that as they are looking at capital projects that are coming up, it ties into the rates. He stated that last year when they projected it, they were going to propose that they keep the rates the same, $45 per month, for this year and possibly next year.
“But apparently the City of Bryan increased their rates and because of that you are going to need to raise rates,” he said. He went on to explain that the county pays the City of Bryan about $150,000 a year right now but with the increase, by the end of next year it will be $225,000 a year. “So midstream of our budget season that’s a $75,000 swing.”
Roth mentioned that Hickory Hills is in violation right now and needs to be taken care of soon, hopefully with ARPA funds.
Frey shared a spreadsheet showing the commissioners the cost of capital projects, the office expenses, and what the rates will bring in if they raise it to $48, $49, or $50.
He showed that the county will just break even if they raise it to $47, projecting out ten years. Roth then said, “We would recommend that whatever you do, do it starting at the beginning of the calendar year so that people can plan for it.”
Commissioner Hilkert thanked Roth for working to keep the rates the same for so many years and Commissioner Rummel said that they appreciate his frugalness in how he runs the department.
They acknowledged that costs are going up and with the “turmoil” caused by the City of Bryan increasing their rates, they will need to “stay on top of this to consider a rate increase.”
Hilkert mentioned that when they refinanced the debt for the county, Nettle Lake was part of that and the loan went down because of a lower interest rate, so they “saved in one area but are getting a large increase to another area. That puts us to a point where we have to make a decision what we are going to do with rates.”
Following further discussion on specific projects and other details, Hilkert mentioned that even if they chose to move to $48 per month, “in 2024 the projected operating is at a loss that year.”
It was agreed that they need to look at the numbers and take a vote on a motion when all three commissioners are present.
Clerk Anne Retcher was asked to bring it back into the agenda on June 1 for a resolution determining what will be done. Something needs to be done no later than July 2022 so people can prepare for the rise in rates.
Rummel mentioned that this gives people time to call them as well and share their thoughts on the matter.
Roth reiterated, “Again, you know, it’s not what we like to do, but at the same time, we need to look ahead.”
“We have carried this rate of $45 for nine or ten years and I was hoping we could keep it there a couple more years but it doesn’t look like that’s possible.”
Before going into recess from this session, Rummel asked what it looks like for the parks this year and Roth said their focus will be on the upgrade and repairs at Bible Park.
At 11 a.m., with representatives present from the two companies who were bidding on the Asphalt Emulsion, Ron Buda opened the bids for Project #1-2022.
The two bids were: KTech Specialty Coatings for $2.235 per gallon and Asphalt Materials, Inc. for $2.28 per gallon. With the bids concluded, Roth will let the builders know the award as he posts it on the website as usual. With no further business the meeting adjourned.
Asphalt Emulsion is a chemical blend that is used to help keep the roads throughout the county in shape.
Roth said later that last year’s cost was $1.729 and they used around 245,000 gallons per year. This jump to almost $2.25 is huge and will drive the cost for the year from around $423,605 to around $547,575 if the lower bid is accepted.
Rebecca can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com
