Commissioners approve travel, repairs and a three-year police-services contract

The Richland County Board of Commissioners approved several routine consent items including travel requests, minor repairs and a multi-year policing services contract.

Unidentified Speaker 1 moved to approve three staff travel requests: Emergency Management Association of Ohio spring conference ($125), Ohio Safety Congress ($219.40) and a surveyors workshop for three engineering staff ($600). Commissioners recorded affirmative responses.

The board also approved a $1,620.54 quote from Coorsen Fire & Security to address issues identified during the annual inspection, including signage, spare sprinkler cabinets and an FDC sign. Josh Hicks, maintenance supervisor, described the work as routine repairs downstream of the inspection.

Separately, the board approved a three-year police services contract with the village of Lucas and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office totaling $16,275.50. Unidentified Speaker 3 questioned why the contract contains no automatic annual escalator — noting expected wage increases for sheriff deputies and rising equipment costs — and was told historically such escalators have not been included in this contract type. The motion to approve the contract was seconded and affirmed by commissioners.