Morrow County commissioners approve routine payments, award two road bids and hear capital-project updates

Morrow County Board of Commissioners on March 11 voted to approve routine bills, transfer funds, award two road-construction contracts and authorize a public notice for a Franklin Township zoning amendment while receiving updates from Director of Operations Jamie Broker.

The board unanimously approved a motion to accept bills numbered 1008 and to process specified payments and an appropriation to the county police fund after roll-call votes called by the clerk. The commissioners also approved a transfer to the engineers fund.

In procurement actions the board voted to award the County Road 101 (Gillette, No. 21 Colbert replacement) project to Scioto Valley and to approve an award for Township Road 208 (No. 29) culvert replacement; the clerk announced each recommendation and the motions carried on roll call.

Jamie Broker, the county Director of Operations, briefed commissioners on several operational matters. Broker said the county met with DLC to gather estimates for a local project and that staff will ‘‘go back and gather some estimates to see if we can move this project forward in a manner that would actually benefit our county.’’ She also said state officials will visit the board of elections facility to review Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.

Broker said she and staff had informally vetted capital-budget requests with Senator Reiting and Representative McClain ahead of the official submittal. ‘‘He seemed encouraged about the projects,’’ Broker said of her conversation with the senator’s office, but she added, ‘‘there is no guarantee’’ the county will receive funding. Broker cited two illustrative request amounts discussed internally: $250,000 for one project and $500,000 for another.

Commissioner Mason pressed staff about a demolition agreement and whether contractors had been paid. Broker said the county is still awaiting state confirmation that submitted paperwork is approved and explained that the contractor, Burgess and Nichols, had to revise how its administrative fee passed through the county after the state raised concerns. Broker said the repeated paperwork issues have delayed payment and that staff will continue to update the contractor as the state responds.

A commissioner raised questions about floodplain permitting for a planned fairgrounds grandstand; commissioners and staff noted that grant-funded work appears sited on higher ground but recommended checking permits and whether any portion of the project falls inside regulated floodplain areas.

Votes at a glance:
- Approve bills No. 1008 and payments/appropriation to police fund — motion approved (roll call unanimous).
- Transfer of funds to engineers fund — motion approved (roll call unanimous).
- Award County Road 101 (Gillette/Colbert No. 21) project to Scioto Valley — motion approved (roll call unanimous).
- Award Township Road 208 (No. 29) culvert replacement — motion approved (roll call unanimous).
- Resolution transferring health department funds from Social Services Fund 2072 to General Fund 1000 — motion approved (roll call unanimous).
- Authorize advertising public hearing for county zoning amendment (Franklin Township) — motion approved (roll call unanimous).
- Amend resolution to adopt an engineer early-retirement incentive plan (adjusted effective dates) — motion approved (roll call unanimous).
- Authorize Jamie Broker to submit capital-budget requests — motion approved (roll call unanimous).
- Motion to recess and go into record session — motion approved (roll call unanimous).

The board recessed into record session to continue business. Several items on the agenda — project estimates, state approval of demolition paperwork and the outcome of capital-budget allocations — were identified as matters for follow-up in coming weeks.