Morrow County commissioners approve small purchases, airport fencing and advertise runway lighting bids; discuss jail study and coroner space

Morrow County Commissioners met in regular session and approved a series of routine payments, small purchases and bid actions while receiving updates on a jail study and coroner space needs.

The board approved payments and reimbursements listed by county staff, authorized purchase of a refrigerator for the Morrow County Coroner with funds drawn from the county's opioid settlement fund, approved purchase and appropriation for airport perimeter fencing, and authorized advertising a bid opening for runway lighting at the Morrow County Airport on March 12 at 9:30 a.m.

The meeting included an update on the jail study being conducted with consultant DLZ, described by staff as moving into technical design discussions, and a staff report that discussions with the coroner’s office about space needs were proceeding positively.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of listed payments and reimbursements (rental fees, storage reimbursements, EMA invoice, compost education payment, and an appropriation for an IT auto-responder fund): Passed on roll call. Commissioners Mason, Abraham and Siegfried voted yes. (Motion/second: not specified.)

- Approval to journalize the county treasurer’s report (noted in transcript as GAC sheet as of close “02/31/2025”): Passed on roll call. Commissioners Mason, Abraham and Siegfried voted yes. (Motion/second: not specified.)

- Purchase of a refrigerator for the Morrow County Coroner and appropriation from the opioid settlement fund to cover that purchase: Passed on roll call. Commissioners Mason, Abraham and Siegfried voted yes. (Motion/second: not specified.)

- Motion to hold asphalt bid minutes for review by the county engineer: Passed on roll call. Commissioners Mason, Abraham and Siegfried voted yes. (Motion/second: not specified.)

- Approval to contract Tackett Fence Service for fencing at the Morrow County Airport in the amount of $4,734 and appropriation of $4,734 from the airport fund: Passed on roll call. Commissioners Mason, Abraham and Siegfried voted yes. (Motion/second: not specified.)

- Approval to advertise bids for runway lighting at the Morrow County Airport with a bid opening set for March 12 at 9:30 a.m.: Passed on roll call. Commissioners Mason, Abraham and Siegfried voted yes. (Motion/second: not specified.)

Discussion and staff reports

County staff reported progress and delays on several airport authority projects, including a tree-trimming project delayed by seasonal wildlife protections and other planning-stage projects such as roadway lighting. Commissioners were told supplier numbers are still pending for some projects.

On the jail study, staff said consultant DLZ is meeting regularly and has moved into technical discussions about options and solutions. No formal decisions on a scope or financing of a jail project were taken at this meeting.

Development and coroner space

A county staff member identified as Becker reported an initial developer inquiry for the Dollar Tree building site and said meetings with the coroner’s office to discuss space needs were productive; staff said the coroner’s office had expressed appreciation for county outreach and that the county is trying to consolidate and use space efficiently. No formal space reassignments or lease decisions were made.

Procedural items and adjournment

The board recessed and later returned to regular session to complete bid openings and routine business, then adjourned. The meeting record shows roll-call votes on listed motions; the motions’ movers and seconders were recorded in the minutes as “so moved” and “second” without specific mover/second names in the transcript excerpt.