Washington County commissioners approve appropriations, back Port Authority coal-ash remediation and name three board members

Washington County commissioners voted unanimously Dec. 11 to approve a slate of budget adjustments, endorse a Port Authority application to remediate coal ash at the Muskingum River Industrial Park and appoint three members to the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority board.

The board approved multiple additional appropriations across county funds and numerous internal transfers. Notable entries included a $59,158 additional appropriation for the Board of Elections (1000-30-160-530000), a $10,000 appropriation to the Engineer’s office (2540-32-500-511400) and a $6,500 appropriation for Common Pleas Court (1000-31-200-510100). Commissioners also approved a series of transfers, including several line-item moves for the Veterans Service account (one transfer listed for $44,101.06 into a veterans expense line). All of those motions passed on unanimous roll calls by President Charlie L. Schilling, Vice President Eddie D. Place and Member Ronald G. Nohe.

The board also approved routine Then & Now certificates for vendor payments and travel reimbursement requests for Children Services staff. "The list of bills are on file in the Commissioners' Office," the board recorded when it approved payments.

On environmental and economic development business, commissioners approved a letter of support for the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority’s application to the Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program to address coal ash at the Muskingum River Industrial Park (MRIP) in Waterford Township. "I appreciate the Port Authority's work on this project," President Charlie L. Schilling said during the meeting. The Port Authority’s application targets remediation of coal ash at the former American Electric Power coal-fired station on MRIP as a site for potential job creation and private investment.

The board also approved three appointments to the Port Authority board for three-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2026 and ending Dec. 31, 2028: Nancy Hollister (former lieutenant governor), Hal Payne (general manager at Ken Miller Supply) and Terry Rataiczak (owner of Kenetic Networking). The motion passed unanimously.

A change order for the courthouse elevator project was approved: Change Order No. 1 with Veregy adds $4,270 for additional engineering design, bringing the contract total to $252,329, the board recorded.

The Sheriff's Office received approval to dispose of an out-of-service kitchen refrigerator used at the jail (Victory Model RS-1D-S7-HD, in service since 2004), and Sheriff Mark Warden reported that the jail’s Commander System—software and controls to manage operations—has been installed. Warden also said the Dog Warden will be issuing citations for untagged dogs.

During public comment, Brenda Robinson said 980 coats for children were distributed and thanked the community for donations. County Engineer Roger Wright urged caution in snowy conditions, asked whether the Sewer Department should consider a loan to complete the remaining Devola Sewer Project (President Schilling recommended taking the loan), and announced a kickoff meeting with engineering firm Woolpert in January for the SR7 project. Dee Arnold said Washington County has 19 permitted Class II injection wells and promoted a Dec. 16 Washington County For Safe Drinking Water Committee meeting; commissioners said they support clean-water expertise from state and federal agencies when available.

Sherry Ellem of the Health Department told the board that residents with private sewer will receive a $20 bill to cover 10 years of service. Judge Halliday said the court will use Special Project funds to expand Courtroom B and that the new magistrate room project will go to bid soon.

The board recessed after completing its agenda; the meeting adjourned at 9:43 a.m. The commissioners noted upcoming meeting dates and courthouse closures for the holiday season.