Washington County commissioners approve CROSS planning scope, pass budget moves and table courthouse elevator change order

The Washington County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 18 approved a modification to the CROSS Project planning contract to use remaining funds from the first contract and the county's planning grant to pursue a RAISE Implementation Grant in 2026, and approved a package of budget adjustments and transfers while tabling an elevator change order.

County Engineer Roger Wright told the board the fee proposal would use $907,986 remaining from the first contract plus remaining planning-grant funds for a total of $1,030,596. Wright said the planning grant is 100% federal and that the contract modification will allow consultant American Structure Point to support a RAISE implementation grant application and to partner with subconsultants to study the Harmar Bridge. “Marietta College, City of Marietta, and Harmar Bridge Company have reviewed and approved the contract modification and associated scope of services,” Wright said. Commissioner Charlie L. Schilling called it “a nice collaboration between Marietta College, City of Marietta, and the County.” The motion to approve the CROSS Project scope passed unanimously.

On routine fiscal business, the board approved additional appropriations for sheriff and jail accounts, a set of minus appropriations (account reductions), and several transfers between funds. Notably, the commissioners approved a $500,000 transfer from Job & Family Services (account 2720-35-720-580200) to County General (account 1004-24-120-424000). The board also approved the list of bills for payment and dispensed with the reading of the minutes from the Dec. 11 meeting; all motions recorded unanimous aye votes by the three commissioners.

The board approved a Then & Now certificate for a $7,070 payment to NextGen Communications for the county's 911 system. Doug Moore, the county's 911 director, said the state paid the first year of the pilot program but “the County will be responsible for this payment going forward, and it covers all three PSAPs.”

A proposed change order from WV Elevator for the Courthouse Elevator Project — an increase of $12,353.44 attributed to hours lost during a noise-related shutdown and costs to remobilize — was discussed and tabled to allow county maintenance staff and the project's consultant to meet with WV Elevator for clarification. Commissioner Eddie D. Place recommended tabling and the board approved the tabling motion unanimously.

What happened (Votes at a glance): - Agenda approved (added transfer for Job & Family Services): motion passed, unanimous aye. - Minutes of Dec. 11, 2025 approved: motion passed, unanimous aye. - Bills for payment approved: motion passed, unanimous aye. - Additional appropriations for Sheriff and Jail accounts approved: motion passed, unanimous aye. - Minus appropriations (budget reductions) approved: motion passed, unanimous aye. - Transfers approved (including $500,000 to Job & Family Services): motion passed, unanimous aye. - Then & Now certificate for NextGen Communications ($7,070) approved: motion passed, unanimous aye. - WV Elevator change order ($12,353.44) tabled for further discussion: motion passed, unanimous aye. - CROSS Project contract modification and additional scope (total $1,030,596, using $907,986 from original contract) approved: motion passed, unanimous aye.

The board ended the meeting with brief closing remarks and holiday greetings and adjourned at 10:10 a.m.

Meeting records, including the detailed list of bills and account numbers for appropriations and transfers, are on file in the Commissioners' Office.