Commissioners approve $1.3 million in state-funded projects and agreements

Three agreements were approved by the Harrison County commissioners at their Oct. 8 meeting.

The first, Agreement 43-25, was between the board and the Ohio Department of Transportation under the title LPA Federal Local-Let Project Agreement. It noted that the National Transportation Act provides federal funding “for use by local public agencies,” with ODOT designated by the Federal Highway Administration to administer those funds.

“The purpose of this agreement is to set forth requirements associated with the federal funds available for the project and to establish the responsibilities for the local administration of the project,” the agreement stated.

“This is a grant that will fund up to $313,168.75 for various guardrail projects throughout the county,” Commissioner Dustin Corder said, adding that the projects would be fully funded.

A letter dated Sept. 15, 2020, from the County Engineers Association of Ohio to former Harrison County Engineer Douglas Bachman approved a funding request consisting of $288,500 for a construction contract estimate, a 4% construction engineering estimate of $11,500 and 100 percent HSIP funding totaling $300,000.

The second agreement, 44-25, was also between the commissioners and ODOT and covered a county road pavement rehabilitation project on Harrison 24. Corder said the project was awarded $487,860.

The final agreement, 45-25, was between the board and the Ohio Department of Children and Youth. Corder said the total amount of funding obligated under the 33-page agreement is up to $500,000 for the purpose of accepting grants.

“Commissioners expressly agree that not less than 75% of the administrative grant funds received from DCY and deposited into the established account will be made available to the credit of grantee,” the agreement stated.

The commissioners are also required to re-appropriate any net positive balance in funds for the following fiscal year.

In other business, Deb Knight, director of the Department of Job and Family Services, received approval to hire Sara Dennis for a position in the fiscal department. Knight said there were 40 applicants for the role, which will begin Oct. 20 at a rate of $19.73 per hour.