Tuscarawas County authorizes cooperative agreement to pursue OWDA financing for Baltic water system

The Tuscarawas County Board of Commissioners approved participation in a Cooperative Agreement with the Ohio Water Development Authority on July 13, 2026, enabling the Tuscarawas Water and Sewer District to pursue OWDA financing for improvements to the Baltic water system.

By Resolution 506-2026 the board found it was acting in its capacity as operating agent for the district under the Water and Sewer Systems Operations Agreement and authorized Sanitary Engineer Michael Jones to execute the Cooperative Agreement and related documents. The minutes state that repayment of the OWDA loan will be derived solely from revenues of the district’s utility system and will not constitute a pledge of Tuscarawas County revenues.

The resolution references the district’s application to OWDA for financing that could include work on existing supply wells and development of an additional water source. The board’s approval included findings that the county’s participation is limited to its role as operating agent and that the obligations are payable from district revenues only. The motion carried with Commissioners Kristin Zemis, Greg Ress and Mitch Pace voting yes.

Next steps noted in the minutes include execution of the agreement by the sanitary engineer and any follow‑up actions required to finalize OWDA financing and project planning.