Holmes County will have a familiar face doing all the county’s road repaving this year with the Holmes County Commissioners accepting the bid for the 2025 0.25% sales tax repaving project from Melway Paving on the recommendation of county engineer Chris Young.
The county received three bids for the project with Melway Paving’s bid of $2,572,378 being the lowest bid. Melway Paving, which has been doing the paving project for several years, came in just under the county’s estimated cost.
“We do like to keep the money in Holmes County when possible,” Commissioner Joe Miller said of the awarded bid going to a local company.
The roads being repaved during the project are estimated to be a little more than 20 miles of Holmes County roadway and will include portions or all of County Roads 27, 59, 114, 270, 280, 349, 391, 392, 393 and 625.
The commissioners passed Resolution 03-31-25-1, designating the Family and Children First Council coordinator position a full-time position within Holmes County Department of Job & Family Services.
The FCFC Executive Board recommended the position be changed from unclassified intermittent to full-time out of necessity.
“We’ve been struggling to get all the duties done with her as an intermittent,” said Dan Jackson, director of Holmes County JFS. “The full council will be covering the cost of making that position a full-time position.”
Jackson said in moving forward, if there are any issues, the county can readjust as necessary.
Jackson also mentioned JFS will host a Job Fair on April 29.
The commissioners also granted their support of State Issue 2 renewal of the State Capital Improvement Program on the May 6 statewide ballot.
Over the past four decades, the program has provided nearly $7 billion for improvements to keep Ohio’s roads and bridges safe and in good condition for residents, first responders and motorists.
In addition, the funds have helped maintain and improve the state’s wastewater treatment water supply and stormwater infrastructure throughout all 88 of Ohio’s counties.
The renewal will not raise Ohio’s taxes.
According to Susan Schie, commissioner clerk, the funding is primarily dedicated to supporting Ohio Public Works efforts.
She said Holmes County has benefited to the tune of $10.6 million in grant funding since 1987.
Resolution 03-31-25-4 was passed, authorizing continued funding for OneEighty with domestic violence funds.
OneEighty has applied for continued funding, and the commissioners were more than happy to continue that support.
The funds are generated through a surcharge for the county’s marriage, divorce, dissolution and annulment filings.
The commissioners also proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, noting every child is entitled to be loved and nurtured, feel secure, and be free from verbal, sexual, emotional and physical abuse and neglect.
Miller said Holmes County is not devoid of child abuse.
In honor of Child Abuse Awareness Month, the commissioners encouraged all county employees to wear blue on Friday, April 4, something that is a national movement.
In other county news, Jason Troyer, Holmes County Emergency Management Agency director, said all the emergency tornado sirens are now in place and working, except the one being installed at October Hills, a new siren that has yet to be erected.
