EATON — Preble County Ag Society President Clinnie Stevenson spoke with the Preble County Commissioners via conference call during their meeting on Wednesday, April 1.
Stevenson reviewed ongoing projects at the fairgrounds, before asking for money for needed projects, as currently the Ag Society does not have a lot of income after events being shut down due to COVID-19.
“I’m calling in and asking if we can get some money from you guys for these projects to help out. Because right now, at this point, we don’t have a whole lot of income coming in to the fairgrounds,” he said.
Projects discussed included: a door on the Toney Building and three roofs needing repaired due to leaking, including Expo Building, Toney Building, and Bruner Arena Restroom.
Commissioner Rodney Creech suggested using the $45,359.27 received from the DP&L Easement, which he indicated was always meant to be invested back into the fairgrounds.
“I feel like the money that was brought in from that easement, we said we wanted to use that on the Expo or capital improvements. To answer your question, I see this as being a need. I have no issues with it. If there are other expenses, then we’ll have to deal with those later on or come up with some estimates,” Creech said.
However, Commissioner Chris Day wanted a cost breakdown and estimates for how much they expected the projects to cost. He agreed to get the requested information together and back to the Commission Office for review.
“I appreciate the time you guys took to talk with me about this. I know things are at a standstill in the world, but as far as I am concerned and the majority of the board, we’re still planning to have our 2020 fair. We want to keep things in good shape. We don’t need any buildings falling a part on us,” Stevenson said.
In other business:
•Commission Clerk Kim Keller found out the Preble County Commissioners have $182,000 available for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds to divide among their chosen projects in the county. She prepared the sheets for the commissioners to rate the project, which they asked to do on their own.
•Fred Voge spoke to the board requesting an extension to file petitions regarding a zoning case. They had the petitions ready to circulate, but due to COVID-19 have not been able to do so. The 30-day window was about up and Voge was interested in receiving an extension to submit the petitions until following the crisis.
The board agreed to consult with legal for an answer on whether they could extend the petition timeframe.
•Preble County Engineer Kyle Cross spoke with the commissioners via conference call regarding landfill procedures. He updated the board on how the split shift is going at the landfill, reporting that the first week went well. They are not using the residential drop off and are instead sending people to the back. The amount of residential drop off has increased with people doing yard work. He added, the credit card only policy had recently been put into effect, but is going well thus far.
The commissioners:
•Approved six zoning cases three to zero, including Ann Montgomery, Jerry L. Krupa and Cody and Rachel Jennings, Kautz/Slusser Family, Alex R. Filbrun, Lloyd and Kathlene Kinzie and Glen and Linda Knaus, and Jeremiah and Michelle Hill and David and Sandra Hill.
•Authorized an expenditure in the amount of $6,431.81 for the repair of John Deere 4450 Tractor, Landfill.
•Noted receipt of a court entry from the Preble County Common Please Court referencing Case No. 19CV031854, Necessary and Proper Funds for the Preble County Board of Elections, order of compelling mediation.
•Noted receipt of and approved by signing the JFS Roof Painting agreement with Adams Painting for $31,210, Building Maintenance.
•Noted receipt of the Juvenile Court grant agreement and funding application with Ohio Department of Youth Services, Felony Subsidy.
•Noted receipt of and approved by signing the LEPC Training Exercise Coordination agreement with Burdiss, Inc. DBA Preparedness Solutions, Inc., $5,000, LEPC.
•Noted receipt of and approved by signing the Equipment Rental Agreement Brookville Rental, Inc., $245, Building Maintenance.
