Delaware County commissioners approve vendor payments, authorize generator and lift burn ban

The Delaware County Board of Commissioners on March 10 unanimously approved a slate of routine financial and operational actions, including payment of vendor claims, apportionments for county funds and the purchase of emergency equipment for District 2.

Chairman David Poindexter opened the meeting at 9 a.m. and, on a motion by Commissioner Jake Callihan seconded by Commissioner David Beck, the board approved a multi‑department claims list and related monthly reports. The minutes and the claims list are included in the official record; totals shown in the minutes include a documented total of $571,047.92 for the claims packet as presented.

Emergency Management Director Jeff Reeves briefed the board on a previously applied‑for grant that became available last fall and recommended purchasing a Generac generator for the District 2 barn. "At first there was no money, but last fall the funds came available," Reeves said. Commissioners approved the Generac quote of $48,285 on a Callihan/Beck motion.

The board also voted to lift the county burn ban effective immediately after hearing public comment and staff input about recent rainfall and cleanup activity. Resident Jack Wood argued that "the local fire chief should decide if there is a burn ban" because high winds can spread fire; Chief Carl Tesreau said chiefs can advise the board on Red Flag conditions. Reeves told the board "there has been significant rainfall and people are wanting to clean up from storms." The motion to lift the ban passed unanimously.

Human Resources Director Vicki Cossairt offered condolences to the Haney family on the death of longtime Delaware County Judge Robert Haney and reported local TB and COVID cases. Cossairt also highlighted county projects funded by ARPA, including a new 911 center, records restoration work and improvements at the fairgrounds. Cossairt said "no public service is planned" for the judge.

Operational and procurement items approved or advanced included: a $2,700 quote to cover commissioners' room bench cushions (approved on a Callihan/Beck motion; Callihan commented that "the benches were nasty"); transfer of a surplussed Ford Expedition from Emergency Management to the Flint Ridge Fire Department; and an intrafund transfer of $55,000 from General Government contingency to Emergency Management, Human Resources and the Retirement Fund. For several equipment items — including a floor scrubber and a scissor lift — commissioners requested specific quotes or decided to continue shopping, with a target of keeping a used lift under $25,000 to avoid formal bidding.

The board approved signing payroll affidavits for the March 13 payroll, signed 308 apportionments across multiple funds as recorded in the minutes, and approved a roster of requisitioning, receiving and inventory officers for the Court Clerk's Office for the remainder of fiscal 2025–26 and for 2026–27.

The meeting concluded at 10:20 a.m. The board’s recorded votes on motions in the minutes were unanimous unless otherwise noted; in most instances motions were made by Commissioner Callihan and seconded by Commissioner Beck.

Votes at a glance: claims and minutes approval — passed (Callihan/Beck; 3–0); bench covers $2,700 — passed (Callihan/Beck; 3–0); Generac generator $48,285 — passed (Callihan/Beck; 3–0); intrafund transfer $55,000 — passed (Callihan/Beck; 3–0); lift burn ban — passed (Callihan/Beck; 3–0); transfer Ford Expedition — passed (Callihan/Beck; 3–0).