At the May 25, 2016 meeting of the Clark County Commissioners, County Engineer John Burr provided the commissioners with the annual report for the Enginee Department. According to Burr funding for the department from the gas tax and license plate fees have decreased by 7% since 2008 while his overall cost for materials and labor have increased by almost 90%. However, despite tight funding, Burr reported that the county currently has no load-reduced bridges. He said, “Over fifty of the 238 bridges in the county have been replaced in the last seven years.” Burr was able to accomplish this through grant assisted funding from the State and Federal Governments. His department replaced the New Carlisle Pike Bridge in 2015 and plan to complete the replacement of the Lower Valley Pike Bridges and the Moorefield Road Bridge in 2016.

In addition, the department resurfaced Dayton Road, Lower Valley Pike, and Fairfield Pike in 2015 and will resurface Derr Road in 2016.

Burr also noted that in addition to road and bridge construction, the department provides annual maintenance on 308.386 miles of road, tree trimming, roadside mowing, 38.67 miles of chip and seal; fog seal, and crack seal for county roads. The department also maintain 238 bridges, provide ditch maintenance, and sweep the streets.

Burr added, “Despite tight funding, we are working to keep Clark County roads in top condition.”

In further action for the Engineer Department, the commissioners approved a resolution for the Road Department to participate in the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Annual Road Salt Contract Bid. The County agreed to purchase 2,500 tons of sodium chloride salt from ODOT. The department must purchase 90% of this amount from October 1, 2016 through March 31, 2017 regardless of the County’s actual needs.

The commissioners also instructed the Clerk to advertise for bids for several road department projects for 2016. The first bid for the Derr Road Construction Project is due in the County Commissioner Offices by 10:00 a.m. on June23, 2016. The other two bids, for the 2016 Pavement Marking Contract and the 2016 Roadway Resurfacing Contract are due by 10:00 a.m. June 9, 2016.

In other business, Jeff Hoagland of the Dayton Development Coalition (DDC) spoke to commissioners about the services and support the DDC provides to Clark County and the companies located in the county. He explained, “DDC is a private not for-profit organization serving 14 county and 1.7 million citizens in the Dayton Region. Our mission is to retain, expand, and recruit jobs for the region and to lead regional economic development.”

According to Hoagland, the agency has been instrumental in retaining jobs, creating new jobs and funding capital investment for Woodruff, Pentaflex, O.S. Kelly Co., Yamada North America, HDI Landing Gear USA, and American Security Insurance Co. in Clark County. They have also provided site support for the relocation of SR 794, the Airpark Ohio Road Extension, and the Prime Ohio II Infrastructure Improvement Projects. They also helped support the expansion projects and the retention of jobs at Speedway, LLC and Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc., Navistar and Clopay.

Furthermore, Hoagland pointed out that DDC provides advocacy in Washington and Columbus for the Aerospace industry including support for Wright-Patterson, AFB and the Springfield Air National Guard.

The commissioners thanked him and his agency for their continued support of businesses in Clark County.

For the Clark County Agriculture Society, the commissioners authorized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to purchase an electronic sign for $30,000. The new sign will replace the existing sign located at the main entrance to the fairgrounds. In addition, to fairground events, the sign will announce events held at the Champion Center. The Fair Board plans to have the sign in place before the Clark County Fair scheduled for July 22-29, 2016. This improvement is the first of several upgrades planned to the fairground facilities during 2016.

In addition, the commissioner approved a MOU for $41,000 to replace gutters and repair the soffits on the Mercantile and Arts and Crafts buildings. Several of the county owned buildings at the Fairgrounds need improvements. However, no formal plans were in place in the past to address the issues. The Fair Board and the Commissioners now have a capital improvement plan to address the issues. Commissioner Richard Lohnes said, “We can’t fix what we don’t know is broken.”

For the Humane Society, the commissioners approved an increase of $38,443.78 to the contract with the Humane Society Servicing Clark County Inc. The new contract will extend the time and services rendered by the 2015 contract June 30, 2016.

For the Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS), the commissioners approved a contract with the Clark County Juvenile Court for $95,581 to prove mediation services to families served by DJFS or the Juvenile Courts. The contract is effective July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2018.

In addition, they authorized a contract for DJFS with Rocking Horse Community Health Center for $102,968.33 to provide Nurse Care Coordination for foster children from July 1, 2016 through June 20, 2017.

For Buildings and Grounds, the commissioners increased the contract with Arcon Builders, LTD by $4,587.78 to cover stud and gypsum board walls, gypsum board sheeting, handrails, and hardwood caps around entry stairs and landings for the Juvenile Court Improvement Project. The amended contract is worth $331, 808.36.

For the Sheriff’s Office, the commissioners authorized a grant submission for $42,611 to the 2016 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant to provide funds to improve technology and equipment. The grant is effective June 30, 2016 through September 30, 2019.

They also set June 1, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. for a Public Hearing for a Community Development Block Grant for 2016 for the Community and Economic Development Planner

For the Board of Developmental Disabilities, the commissioners accepted a lease agreement with Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley for the lease of Yellow Cottage at 2535 Kenton Street for $16,605 per year effective June 1, 2016 through May 31, 2021.

In regular business, they approved a payment to US Bank Trust, NA for $244544.38 for principal and interest for the Human Services Bond, General Bond Retirement Fund, and Utilities.

The next meeting of the Clark County Commissioners is scheduled for June 1, 2016 at 8:30 a.m. in the commissioners’ conference room at 50 E. Columbia Street.