Holmes County commissioners back courthouse work, substance abuse programs, traffic upgrades

The Holmes County Board of Commissioners convened Monday, Dec. 8 at the Old Jail in Millersburg to accept a quartet of resolutions, throwing their support behind several important issues.

The commissioners officially passed a resolution naming P&L Builders as the company to install the remaining 80-plus windows in the courthouse building.

“They are the same company that had done some earlier work on the courthouse, and our request was that Anderson Windows be used, and the other company (bidding) didn’t do that,” Commissioner Joe Miller said.

A second resolution was passed indicating the commissioners' support for community substance abuse prevention programs funded by S-30 One Ohio Opioid Settlement Fund.

The resolution said it is in the best interest of health, safety and well-being of the public, and funds will be dedicated to supporting programs in both West and East Holmes schools.

“We are the board delegating those funds we have in our accounts, making sure we are the appointing authority,” Commissioner Dave Hall said. “This will allow us to delegate the funds at our digression as long as they fit.”

A third resolution was passed authorizing the continued funding for OneEighty with domestic violence funds.

OneEighty had applied for continued funding, which is derived from marriage license fees in Holmes County along with surcharges from each divorce, dissolution and annulment filed with the Holmes County Clerk of Courts.

The fourth resolution indicated the commissioners’ desire to contribute $20,000 to the Village of Millersburg for the installation of smart light traffic signals in the downtown area.

The commissioners said this upgrade would benefit and improve traffic safety for both vehicles and pedestrians, improving the flow of traffic and creating a better quality of life.

“Hopefully, this will make it safer for everyone involved,” Miller said.

Hall said the crosswalk intersections have needed improvement for many years.

Miller said the Holmes County District Public Library did not receive a grant it had been seeking to bolster its effort to purchase a new bookmobile vehicle, so the commissioners will discuss how much the county would be willing to invest in supporting that need — one Miller said was paramount to the Holmes County community.

Hall said the hope is the commissioners will reconvene with Holmes County District Public Library Director Paula Cicconetti to discuss the library’s thoughts on how it will proceed prior to making any decisions.

On Monday, Dec. 15, the commissioners convened with Deb Miller, executive director of the Holmes County Home.

Discussion centered around the overall year-end expense report of the home and ideas Miller has on trimming some of the expenses.

Miller said she is focused on trimming expenses and reducing costs in numerous ways including building a growing relationship with the Akron-Canton Food Bank to lessen the cost of groceries.

She said the Holmes County Home Auxiliary is now paying for the expense of TVs in the rooms, saving the county home approximately $11,000 annually.

Without any major expenses in new equipment, replacements and repairs, overall expenses are down for 2025.

“The auxiliary is also looking into the purchase of a transit bus with a lift for next year,” Miller said, adding the cost of groceries is up $20,000 simply based on increases in food purchases, which is why they are exploring the partnership with the food bank.