Hancock County Commission approves routine contributions, hires, contracts and grant applications

Hancock County commissioners on Feb. 7 approved a slate of routine county actions, including an $8,000 contribution to the Hancock County Solid Waste Authority, a letter of support for a Miracle League grant application, advertisement to hire maintenance staff, an information-technology support contract and multiple internal budget revisions.

The approvals, each recorded as unanimous 3-0 votes, also included acceptance of six exoneration orders, adoption of updated FOIA copy fees, acceptance of a full-time 9-1-1 dispatcher resignation and authorization to apply for a 2023 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) reimbursement award.

Why it matters: The items approved Tuesday affect routine county services and operations — from solid-waste collection and public-safety staffing to IT support and small grant applications — and set the county’s administrative and budgetary posture for the coming weeks.

Votes at a glance - Hancock County Solid Waste Authority contribution — Motion to approve $8,000 for roll-off rental, transportation and disposal at the Gas Valley Road facility. Outcome: approved 3-0. (discussion recorded 171.455–198.985) - Miracle League of the Northern Ohio Valley — Motion to approve a letter of support for a grant application to build a permanent accessible playground at the Saint Joseph Church campus in Weirton. Outcome: approved 3-0. (discussion recorded 306.125–351.29) - Advertising to hire: assistant maintenance technician (full time) and seasonal part-time maintenance technician — Motions to advertise positions in anticipation of vacancies. Outcomes: approved 3-0. (discussion recorded 245.435–290.39 and 370.87–388.54) - Contract: Global Science and Technology Inc. — Motion to accept a monthly IT support/consulting contract through the end of the calendar year. Outcome: approved 3-0. (discussion recorded 388.54498–447.23502 and 409.84–426.64) - Internal budget revisions (FY 2025) — Motions to recognize LEDA funds and other internal adjustments. Outcome: approved 3-0. (discussion recorded 447.23502–462.91) - Purchase of sheriff’s vehicles and related technology (consideration only) — The commission discussed a Department of Justice grant proposal for four sheriff’s vehicles and associated technology; no final vote or outcome was recorded in the transcript. (discussion recorded 462.91–577.955) - County Clerk FOIA fee increase — Motion to increase fees for produced records taken from the clerk’s office (viewing remains free). Outcome: approved 3-0. (discussion recorded 578.415–735.16) - Exoneration orders — Six exoneration orders presented and approved 3-0. (discussion recorded 94.509995–129.25) - 9-1-1 resignation — Motion to accept the resignation of Jeff Luck, full-time 9-1-1 dispatcher. Outcome: approved 3-0. (discussion recorded 746.395–765.94) - 2023 EMPG grant application — Motion to apply for the 2023 Emergency Management Performance Grant to reimburse eligible Office of Emergency Management expenditures. Outcome: approved 3-0. The clerk noted the grant’s 2023 label reflects the program’s reimbursement schedule. (discussion recorded 765.94–808.725) - General county bills — Motion to approve general county bills ($89,791.87) and P-card all funds ($18,992.38). Outcome: approved 3-0. (discussion recorded 817.00995–843.90497) - Levy fund bills (animal shelter, sheltered workshop, library levy funds) — Motions to approve reviewed items. Outcomes: approved 3-0. (discussion recorded 843.90497–878.25995)

Discussion highlights and context Commissioners flagged routine operational needs: the Solid Waste Authority requested the $8,000 contribution to cover roll-off rental, transportation and disposal costs to maintain the household-junk collection at the Gas Valley Road facility and to discourage roadside dumping. The Miracle League request seeks a permanent, stationary accessible playground and outdoor activity area at Saint Joseph Church in Weirton; packet materials included photos and project information for commissioners’ review.

County staff described the Global Science and Technology Inc. agreement as a monthly support contract providing supplemental consulting and expertise to county IT staff through the end of the year. An unidentified IT staff member said, "This is a support contract, a monthly support contract through the end of this calendar year that would provide additional support and consulting and expertise to our IT support staff." Commissioners noted the firm’s reputation and its work with other counties.

On the sheriff vehicle proposal, the meeting record shows commissioners heard staff description and requested a motion; the transcript does not include a recorded vote or final action on that agenda item. The commission later proceeded to other agenda items.

Administrative notes and schedule The commission accepted the resignation of Jeff Luck from the 9-1-1 dispatcher position and authorized applying for EMPG funds that would reimburse prior reimbursable Office of Emergency Management expenditures. The clerk reported that the EMPG paperwork shows a 2023 date because of the program’s timing and reimbursement cycle.

Commissioners set a special meeting for March 7 at 8:30 a.m. to consider courthouse security-system requirements, followed by a budget workshop the same day; their next regular meeting is scheduled for March 13.

Ending Most items approved Tuesday were routine and unanimous; the sheriff-vehicle proposal remained under consideration without an outcome recorded in the available transcript. The commission’s calendar now includes the March 7 special meeting on courthouse security and the March 13 regular meeting.