By Meladi Brewer | Correspondent
GREENVILLE – The Darke County Commissioners met Thursday to discuss transportation services. Commissioners Matt Aultman, Marshall Combs, and Larry Holmes were present.
A meeting between the Board of Commissioners and Carla Allen from Job & Family Services was conducted this moring, and transportation was the topic of choice. An agreement was approved between the parties and Spirit Medical Transport for the purchase of their services from July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024.
The contract remains as was the previous years, the group just approved the changing of the date for the new term. Spirit Medical is one of the two transportation services left in the county. The target population for Spirit is any resident of Darke County that meets the eligibility criteria of the DC Job & Family Services transportation program.
This service prioritizes medical related appointments. This includes, but is not limited to, at-risk families who are experiencing crisis and family problems, children with the potential of being placed in an out-of-home placement, disabled, and elderly.
Hours of service are as follows: Monday – Friday: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday: 6 a.m. to noon. Those wishing to utilize the service can reference Appendix for additional circumstances of transportation and hours.
Rates for passengers depend on the location and mile range of service. For transportation within the Greenville City Limits; including Family Health Services, Meeker Rd, and Greenville, the cost is $25 per person each way. For transportation within Darke County: Ansonia, New Madison, Union City, etc, the cost is $35 per person each way plus $3 per loaded mile per person each way. If traveling outside of Darke County: Dayton, Piqua, Troy, Sidney, Richmond, Muncie, etc., it will be $40 pick-up charge plus #3 per loaded mile per person each way.
Not only did the commissioners enter into an agreement with Spirit Medical, they approved an agreement with the City of Greenville as well. The City of Greenville is the second and final form of transportation the county offers. Their services will remain the same as the previous year, but the contract date just changes.
Hours include Monday – Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., no weekends or governmental holiday hours. Rates are per passenger, and for any transport within the Greenville City Limits, it will cost $16 per person each way.
Both Spirit Medical and City of Greenville will not reimburse for fees associated with “no show” through DCJFS.
A fund advance for the 2022 FAA Airport Improvement Grant was approved for $9,326 to cover Buscher Electric to pay Application #2 for the Electrical Vault. The funds will advance back once revenue is received. Also approved was another fund advance for the 2023 Runway Rehab Grant to cover CMT Professional service bill for April thru May 2023. The total of $5,532.50 will advance back once revenue is received.
Going around and around trying to figure out where to stay during racing season? Commissioner Combs would like to extend an offer to camp at the Darke County Fairgrounds during Eldora’s big events.
“I saw Eldora had shared some locations for camping because a lot of their spots are taken up, so I just wanted to say the Darke County Fairgrounds are available for camping. Don’t forget it is an option during those race weekends,” Combs said.
Combs continued to promote the Bash at Bish event this weekend at the Bish Discovery Center. The event will run from Noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 24 and will focus on outdoor recreation. There will be a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy, including BMX stunt shows, paddling, tree climbing, yard games, and more. There will also be several food trucks on site and live music.
A meeting with Jena Powell took place Thursday morning as well. Combs said it was a great visit where they discussed some changes that will happen at the State level and how they will have an effect on the local communities. Commissioner Holmes also addressed the meeting saying it was a great meeting even if they all didn’t see eye to eye on the topics discussed.
“We had some good dialogue, and there were some good take-aways. We will see if they gain any legs,” Holmes said.
The Dakre County Board of Commissioners holds a regular session every Tuesday and Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at 520 South Broadway, Greenville, Ohio 45331. For more information, contact the commissioners’ office at 937-547-7370.
