Franklin County commissioners approved four actions to secure property interests for the Red Oak Bridge replacement project, including three fee purchases from private owners and acceptance of a permanent easement deed.

The commission approved commission order 2025-234 to purchase certain real property from Timothy J. Decker and others; commission order 2025-235 to purchase property from Benjamin and Kelsey Bland for $510; commission order 2025-236 to purchase property from Anthony I. Buffalo for $305; and commission order 2025-237 accepting and approving a permanent easement deed. Each item passed on motion and voice vote.

Process and valuation: County staff described the right-of-way acquisitions as routine, small-dollar items. A staff member explained the county establishes fair market value and typically makes offers at 100% or slightly over 100% of that valuation, with adjustments by parcel size when appropriate. Commissioners noted the purchase amounts were small (examples cited included $335.10, $510 and $305) and aimed at completing the bridge project's right-of-way needs.

Why it matters: Securing these parcels and the easement clears property interests that the county said are necessary to proceed with the Red Oak Bridge replacement.

Action taken: The commission voted to approve the listed commission orders; the chair called for the ayes and declared the motions carried. No recorded roll-call tallies were included in the meeting summary.