As most of you know, it has been 2 months since we last let everyone know what we have been up to in our office. The reason for that is there is so much going on, and we wanted to make sure we could get you some good information on all the projects we are working on.
First off, we have used the services of Julian and Grube to help us make sure that we are spending the A.R.P.A. (American Rescue Plan Act) money we will receive correctly. We are in the process with monthly meetings to make sure we are still on track. Now, we are in the planning stages of the most significant needs for the county. We are using the services of App Architecture to do building and needs assessments. This will include HVAC, spatial needs for each office, utilizing our current space more efficiently, roof replacements, and building maintenance. We have had several meetings with App Architecture, and we hope very shortly to have a plan in place.
One of the biggest county needs is Broadband Wireless for the entire County. This process has also been quite a journey, but we are now looking at a public/private hybrid if you will, to cover the county entirely. We are close to signing a deal with a company, and as soon as we are satisfied with the presentations and the results to be expected, we will let everyone know.
Solar and Wind energy have become the newest topic for us to deal with. We have spent more time in Columbus with the P.U.C.O., more than all other Commissioners in the State,
discussing H.B. 52 and what it means for us. We have retained council on this subject also to make sure that what we are doing is going to be as sufficient for our citizens and sustainable for future unknown sources of energy. This is new territory for a number of counties, and we seem to be on the frontline of this, so we are gathering as much knowledge as we can to make sure the decisions we make are sound. We really do not know any more about the one proposed Solar Farm that came in before H.B. 52 was passed, Painter Creek Solar, and we won’t until they file with the Ohio Power Siting Board. That filing for Painter Creek is delayed because of the backlog of projects in the pipeline across the State. We expect some filing later this year.
We are fortunate that we are still in good graces with the F.A.A. as they are now looking at new terminal funding for the Darke County Airport. We also have several other projects on our 10-year Airport Improvement Plan, and we like to start new plans as soon as one is almost finished. This keeps us in line for Grants from the F.A.A. and O.D.O.T. Aviation. Our airport consultants, CMT (Crawford, Murphy and Tilly) have commissioned a plan for a new terminal, and for a new fueling depot to be re-located and constructed. We need to move the present terminal because it falls into the new flight path, along with the current fueling station. These are F.A.A. regulations, and they must be re-located. The F.A.A. has been helpful in granting us money for projects in the past, and we feel good about getting some help for these projects.
Beside the normal county business, and with the upcoming spring and summer festivals, and parades, and other goings on, we are staying very busy in our office. We will make sure everyone stays informed as soon as we know more, and that will be more consistent as we finalize contracts for these projects. As always, people are always welcome in our office to come in and ask questions. We are in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and our regular session hours are at 1:30 both days. The office itself is open 5 days a week from 7:30 to 4:30 Monday through Thursday, and 7:30 to 1:30 on Friday. Hope to see you there!
The Darke County Commissioners