Delaware County commissioners approve Gilbane contract, back PUCO review of hazardous-material routing and approve series of county projects and contracts

The Delaware County Board of Commissioners on March 13 approved a slate of resolutions covering facility contracts, road projects, procurement extensions and interagency grants, and voted to enter executive session to discuss personnel, litigation and collective bargaining.

The most consequential approvals included a construction-manager-at-risk contract with Gilbane Building Company for the county's Social Services Administration Facility Project, formal support for a Public Utilities Commission of Ohio review of routing for hazardous-material trucks on Ohio 315, and a subaward to participate in a state-funded child welfare fellowship pilot that would create paid internships for non‑social‑work majors in the county Job and Family Services office.

Commissioners voted unanimously on each measure. Barton Lewis, president of the Delaware County Board of Commissioners, opened and closed votes; Commissioners Jeff Benton and Gary Merrill voted with him on each roll call listed on the agenda.

Gilbane contract and project timeline

The board approved Resolution No. 25-193 to contract with Gilbane Building Company as construction manager at risk (CMAR) for the new Delaware County Social Services Administration Facility. John Melvin, director of facilities, and county staff negotiated the agreement; county staff said schematic design is due in April and final design by November under the current schedule, and that a 2027 completion remains the working target. The board approved the contract by voice vote.

Support for PUCO review of hazardous-material routing on Ohio 315

Resolution No. 25-192 directs county support for the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to assess whether the agency can designate restricted routes for hazardous-material transport along portions of Ohio 315. Eric Hosetler, deputy county…