Hancock County commissioners approve a batch of appropriations and supplier contracts

The Hancock County Commissioners met on Feb. 26, 2026, and unanimously approved a series of routine appropriations and supplier contracts, including funding moves and vendor awards that set county purchasing for the coming year.

Commissioner Jeffrey Hunker opened the meeting at 9:30 a.m. and the board approved the minutes from Feb. 24, 2026. On motions by Commissioner William Bateson, seconded by Commissioner Timothy Bechtol, the commissioners approved three additional appropriations certified by the county auditor: Resolution #110-26 (an appropriation to General Fund #1001 for the prosecutor), Resolution #111-26 (Recycling Program Fund #5254), and Resolution #112-26 (Tier Fee Fund #5109). Each vote was 3-0.

County staff presented procurement resolutions for materials and services for May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027. Cindy Land said the engineer issues materials bids and negotiates with contractors. The board approved Resolution #113-26 to enter contracts for Asphalt Concrete with Bluffton Stone Company, Gerken Materials, Maple Grove Materials, Stoneco Inc. and Unique Paving Materials, and Resolution #114-26 to award aggregate contracts to Bluffton Stone Co., Custer Stone Company, Gerken Materials, National Lime/Stone, Shelly Materials, Inc. and Stoneco, Inc. Both passed 3-0.

Resolution #115-26 authorized fuel supplier contracts with Legacy Farmers Cooperative, Gresham Petroleum Company and Petroleum Traders and passed 3-0. Resolution #116-26 approved vacating Ridge Run Drive and Noble Hawk Court in the Red Hawk Run Subdivision (Biglick Township). Cindy Land described the vacation history and said she had not received a formal response from Biglick Township; petition counsel Pat Sadowski provided an email reporting verbal acceptance at a township meeting, and meeting participant Brett Eddington said he attended and could confirm that verbal acceptance. The board approved the vacation resolution 3-0.

The commissioners also approved Resolution #117-26, authorizing a 2026 contract with the Hancock County Combined General Health District (d/b/a Hancock Public Health) to enforce Ohio Revised Code sections 3734.01'3734.13 for the Hancock County Solid Waste Management District; Cindy Land said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires the work. The contract amount is $30,000. Resolution #118-26 authorized the director of the county Department of Job & Family Services to establish and maintain individual bank accounts for children in agency custody so survivor benefits and other payments remain separate; staff discussed audit compliance and Treasurer involvement was not required. Resolution #119-26 authorized Lamps, Inc. d/b/a ERG Environmental Services to collect household hazardous waste at Litter Landing during 2026 collection events. These motions were approved 3-0.

The meeting packet also included a draft memorandum of understanding for placing recycling bins at business locations, which county staff will refine. Auditor Rauschenberg provided an audit engagement letter for the board chair's signature; that signature motion also passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance (all approved 3-0): Res. #110-26 (appropriation, Prosecutor); Res. #111-26 (appropriation, Recycling Program Fund #5254); Res. #112-26 (appropriation, Tier Fee Fund #5109); Res. #113-26 (asphalt contracts); Res. #114-26 (aggregate contracts); Res. #115-26 (fuel contracts); Res. #116-26 (street vacation, Ridge Run Drive & Noble Hawk Court); Res. #117-26 (solid-waste enforcement contract, $30,000); Res. #118-26 (JFS child account authority); Res. #119-26 (HHW contract for 2026 collection events).

Next steps noted by county staff include circulating finalized contract documents, executing the awarded supplier contracts for the May 2026'April 2027 term, and placing the RCM architecture contract on a future agenda for Treasurer's office renovations.