Carroll County gets $63,000 for dog park

Carroll County commissioners learned during their June 11 meeting that the county has been awarded $63,000 through the state capital budget for construction of a new dog park near the county dog pound.

Economic Development Director Lynda Wickline announced the funding and said the park will be located at 2185 Kensington Road, directly behind the dog pound.

“We were awarded a $63,000 state capital budget award for a dog park in Carroll County,” Wickline said.

Plans call for two separate fenced areas for large and small dogs, along with two shelters equipped with benches. The project also includes two Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant parking spaces and sidewalks connecting visitors to the shelters and activity areas.

Wickline said county officials are also awaiting word on an Ohio Department of Natural Resources grant application that could provide additional funding for the project.

“I think it will definitely enhance adoptions out of the pound with more traffic in there and dog lovers going there,” Wickline said.

Commissioners also approved the hiring of a new assistant clerk following a series of interviews conducted this week.

Commissioner Chris Modranski said six applicants were initially selected for interviews, although two later withdrew from consideration. After interviewing four candidates, commissioners selected Kaitlyn Green of Carrollton for the position.

Green will begin work June 29 at a starting wage of $18 per hour.

Commissioners also accepted the resignation of Maintenance Technician I Christopher Rutledge effective June 10 and authorized advertising to fill the vacancy. Applications will be accepted through July 1.

Commissioner Robert Wirkner also provided an update on emergency planning materials being developed for county offices.

Wirkner said Emergency Management Agency Director Tom Cottis continues working on updated quick-action emergency guides, commonly known as flip charts, that will be used throughout county departments.

The guides are being redesigned to allow individual pages to be replaced more easily when building floor plans, evacuation routes or emergency procedures change. Wirkner said county officials are also discussing a cybersecurity reminder sticker that could be placed at employee workstations as part of ongoing cybersecurity awareness efforts.

In other business, commissioners:

—PAID bills totaling $129,035.52.

—RECEIVED the weekly report from Dog Warden Merle Long, showing two dogs impounded, none adopted, none redeemed and no euthanizations.

—APPROVED a contribution-in-aid-of-construction agreement with American Electric Power Ohio for installation of a pole, underground cable and three-phase transformer at the Moody Avenue annex building.

—AUTHORIZED Board President Chris Modranski to sign environmental review documentation and certification forms for the 2025 Community Development Block Grant program.