Commissioners approve roadway use and maintenance agreement with FirstEnergy unit for 69 kV line; county says agreement pertains to road repairs

The Portage County Board of Commissioners voted to authorize entering a roadway use and maintenance agreement with American Transmission Systems Inc., a FirstEnergy company, for the Campbellsport'Ravenna 69 kV transmission line project.

A county representative clarified at the Aug. 26 meeting that the agreement pertains to roads: it is intended to address maintenance, repair and restoration of county roads and not reconstruction of transmission infrastructure. The clarification was offered after some public materials and the resolution language made the project sound like utility-led rebuilding of transmission lines rather than an agreement focused on roadway impacts from heavy equipment access during construction.

The board made a motion to agree to the RUMA and approved it by roll call. Commissioners said these agreements are common (referred to as RUMAs) and typically include requirements that roads be left “better than found.” The county engineering staff was asked to coordinate next steps.

The motion was presented and seconded; the roll call recorded support from Commissioners Sabrina, Jill and Mike. There was no public discussion at the meeting about financial guarantees, bonds, or a schedule tied to the agreement; commissioners and staff said they would coordinate with the county engineer for implementation and oversight.

The agreement is intended to ensure county roads used by the transmission project are repaired and maintained during and after construction.