The Darke County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the Ohio EPA Community and Litter Grant Program, employing Mercer County Prosecuting Attorney, and more.
Commissioners Matt Aultman, Marshall Combs, and Larry Holmes were present.
The board approved Resolution (R-392-2023). This resolution authorizes Krista Fourman, Director at Darke County Solid Waste, to file an application to the OH EPA to participate in the Ohio EPA Community and Litter Grant Program.
“This would be for the tire recycling day,” Fourman said. “This is saying the commissioners are allowing me to apply for the grant and that you are telling me we are charging for the tires. We charge $2.”
The board then heard from Deborah Quigley about employing outside counsel with the Mercer County Prosecuting Attorney. This is for the evaluation and potential prosecution of Joseph A. Brown and Jessica M. Keily. During the investigation, Keily informed law enforcement officers that her uncle is James D. Bennett, an assistant prosecuting atoners for Darke County. In order to ensure that the cases are carried out unbiasedly, the request was made to have them handled by Mercer County Prosecuting Attorney Erin M. Minor.
The board then approved Resolution (R-393-2023). This authorizes the IV-D Service Contract for Job and Family Services for October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024. The contract certifies that funds are available within the Child Support Enforcement funding to cover the cost of this contract. The unit rate for this contract is $217.99 per unit, with a total contract cost of $156,950.94. FFP Reimbursement will be $103,587.62 and a Non-Federal Share of $53,363.32.
“This is all federal funds that we get reimbursed for,” Carla Allen, Job and Family Services Director. “We do this every year, and we’ve done it for many, many years.”
The board also approved a Critical Infrastructure Funding Agreement with Key Funding for the Arcanum East First, South East, and Albright Streets Reconstruction Project. Services for this project by the Local Public Agency with this agreement shall be at most $13,125 unless amended by both parties. Funding for this project has been allotted in the budget for the PY2023 CDBG Critical Infrastructure Grant.
“This is a standard agreement for administering our CDBG,” Commissioner Matt Aultman said. “It is a percentage of the total grant award is how we come up with the numbers for administering the grant.”
The commissioners also spoke at the end of the meeting.
Matt Aultman discussed the Soil and Water Banquet the commissioners attended Monday Night.
“They had a short program about all the program’s dollars; they come into the county it was around 30 million in federal and state funds of programming here in Darke County,” Commissioner Matt Aultman said. “Their goal for next year is 60 million in programs and structures and things throughout the county to improve water quality, nutrient management, and structures here in the county. We’ve got a really good crew out there bringing a lot of federal funds back to local contractors and local farmers and local waterways to help out the community.”
Marshall Combs discussed Gail Schafer from Darke County Solid Waste receiving a community award for her volunteer work.
“I just wanted to recognize Gail Schafer over at Darke County Solid Waste, who received the Impactful Rippler Award,” Commissioner Marshall Combs said. “She spends a lot of hours cleaning and washing the bottle caps that get recycled and turned into benches. She received a community award from My County Link, so we were over there congratulating her. She spends a lot of time and effort cleaning those. Volunteers like her are what makes the world go around.”
Larry Holmes discussed the upcoming holiday.
“I think the only thing I have is to wish everyone a safe and good Thanksgiving Holiday,” Commissioner Larry Holmes said. “It’s the beginning of the holiday season, and we have a lot to be thankful for as a county as well as individuals.”
The Darke County Board of Commissioners holds a regular session every Tuesday and Thursday at 1:30 pm at 520 South Broadway, Greenville, Ohio 45331. For more information, contact the commissioners’ office at 937-547-7370
