Williams donates $10,000 to Carroll County EMA for drone program

Carroll County’s Emergency Management Agency received a $10,000 donation from The Williams Companies Inc. during the April 23 commissioners meeting to support the purchase of a drone aimed at enhancing emergency response in the county.

EMA Director Tom Cottis said the drone will be a key addition to the county’s emergency operations, allowing responders to assess incidents more quickly and safely.

“If we have any incident in the field, instead of first responders trying to get to it to find it, we’re going to be able to fly it and pick it up way quicker,” Cottis said. “It’s going to advance our whole response program countywide.”

The donation is part of Williams’ community giving program, which focuses on supporting emergency response agencies.

“We’re honored to be here today to give them a check for $10,000 toward their drone program,” said Larry Couch of Williams. Couch was joined by Scott Golden.

Cottis said the drone, estimated to cost about $35,000, will provide real-time video that can be transmitted back to the county’s emergency operations center at the annex building.

EMA Deputy Director Dustin Lucas said recent upgrades at the annex building have made the technology possible.

“With the annex and the investment into that building, we have full capabilities now to make this work to our advantage,” Lucas said.

“It’s a safety tool,” Commissioner Robert Wirkner said, explaining the drone can be deployed in hazardous situations such as gas leaks or chemical incidents where it may be unsafe to send personnel.

Cottis said the drone will also be equipped with advanced capabilities, including thermal imaging, and will be used in coordination with other agencies across the region through mutual aid agreements.

“It’ll definitely be 24-hour-a-day coverage, 365,” he said.

Commissioners and EMA officials also highlighted that much of the equipment in the county’s emergency operations center has been acquired through donations and partnerships with local organizations and industry.

All three commissioners thanked Williams for the support and its continued partnership within the county.

In additional EMA business, commissioners approved allowing Cottis to sign paperwork for a $45,452 Emergency Management Performance Grant, which reimburses a portion of agency wages.

In other business, commissioners

HEARD an update from the county Board of Revisions, which has handled a high volume of property tax complaints this year, including cases involving oil and gas leases and cell tower sites.

Wirkner said some property owners have challenged being taxed for fencing installed by leaseholders, arguing they did not request the structures and have no authority to remove them.

The board determined those arguments were valid in certain cases and agreed to adjust assessments for fences tied to leased properties where the landowner had no control over installation.

Wirkner said the decision applies to the current tax year and could be revisited in the future, noting similar concerns have reached state lawmakers.

PAID bills totaling $175,959.19.

APPROVED a special hauling permit for Denoon Lumber Company on Chapel Road and Antigua Road in Union Township, with a $50,000 bond provided.

ACCEPTED a $629,894 bid from Northstar Asphalt Inc. for the county’s 2026 resurfacing project, contingent on funding approvals.

APPROVED an addendum to a previously awarded $345,705 road project contract with Northstar Asphalt Inc. to meet Ohio Department of Transportation requirements.

ADOPTED Resolution 2026-20 to increase county sewer rates by $2 per month beginning Jan. 1, 2027, citing rising operational and maintenance costs.

HEARD updates on annex building improvements, including asbestos removal and roadway upgrades to improve access.