Seneca County commissioners are a step closer to beginning an energy upgrade project for some county buildings.
Tuesday morning, commissioners approved a resolution entering into a contract with Palmer Conservation Consulting. The $94,000 contract is part of the overall cost for the project, which includes upgrades to lighting, climate control systems, heating, ventilating and air conditioning system at the County Services Building and upgrades to roofs and insulation at some county buildings.
The cost of the entire project is about $1 million depending on some options which Earl Reid, Palmer representative, spoke about at the meeting. The loan for the project is to be paid off through energy savings, which Reid said could occur within seven years, less than the average payback rate of 10 years.
Commissioners approved the measure unanimously, viewing it as an energy upgrade as much as an infrastructure investment.
"This is the kind of things that keeps our buildings from getting past the point of no return," said Board President Ben Nutter.
Options discussed included roof repairs or replacement for two buildings, changes in design for the HVAC unit at the CSB and potential increased costs with control upgrades at the Seneca County Jail as venders change. In addition, Reid offered a suggestion to move the commissioners office from its current location to the second floor of the bank building. There was no discussion on the suggestion.
Fact Box
During a meeting Tuesday morning, Seneca County commissioners:
Approved a supplemental appropriation of $15,410.66 for the Bascom/New Riegel Bond Service Fund.
Approved a supplemental appropriation of $15,410.66 for the Seneca County Sewer District.
Approved a supplemental appropriation of $1,358.53 for the Sheriff Highway Safety Grant Fund.
Approved a resolution authorizing a fund transfer of $1,358.53 to the General Fund.
Approved a supplemental appropriation of $656.73 for the Highway Safety Grant Fund.
Approved a resolution authorizing a fund transfers of $656.73 to the General Fund.
Approved a supplemental appropriation of $100,000 for the General Fund.
Approved an appropriation adjustment of $7,000 within the General Fund.
Approved a supplemental appropriation of $150 for the VAP Court Costs & Misc. Fund.
Approved a supplemental appropriation of $14,500 for the VOCA Expansion Project Fund.
Approved a fund transfer of $2,047.57 to the VOCA Expansion Grant Fund.
Approved a fund transfer of $14,500 to the VOCA Grant Fund.
Approved a supplemental appropriation of $2,047.57 for the VOCA Expansion Project Fund.
Approved a supplemental appropriation of $48,101.34 for the VOCA Grant Fund.
Approved an appropriation adjustment of $190 within the General Fund.
Approved an appropriation adjustment of $9,492 for the purchase of seven pallets of letter-sized paper for the county.
Approved an amendment of the contract with K.E. McCartney for design work on the Bascom Sewer Project.
Approved an appropriation of $5,456 for an audit conducted through the Auditor of State Office.
Approved bill vouchers.
In another matter, Cindy Brooks of the Sandusky River Watershed Coalition spoke about a home sewage treatment system project to repair systems for 10 properties throughout the county for owners within the 200 percent poverty level or less Brooks said one property had been approved for a system combined for a business and residence, but upon investigation, the property owner was advised by their legal counsel to separate the system. Brooks said because of the split, engineering would have to be redone for the property, however the grant for the project, administered through the coalition from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, will not cover the cost.
Commissioners suggested the property owner either cover the cost, about $2,200, or have the legal opinion changed.
In addition, three bids were opened for individual properties involved in the project. The bids are to be held at the coalition office.
Also, Nutter said some repairs to the Seneca County airport runway, which is funded through a Federal Aviation Administration grant, will have to wait until after winter due to weather. He said crack sealing and some paint striping may be completed this year.
