Highland County Health Commissioner Jared Warner on Wednesday updated the Highland County Board of Commissioners on sewer improvements around the county.

Warner told the board that the health department has been able to replace or repair 18 sewer systems in Highland County with funding from a grant program, through which the health department was awarded $190,000 to cover improvement costs.

Warner said the department recently won a $300,000 grant to cover further sewer replacement and repair costs in 2018-2019.

If financial requirements are met, some Highland County residents may be eligible for up to 50-, 85- or 100-percent coverage of sewer replacement or repair costs, Warner said.

For more information on the program, call the health department at 937-393-1941. More information on public health and other health department programs can be found by visiting its website at www.highlandcountyhealth.org.

Also Wednesday, the commissioners said the board has heard nothing further regarding a proposal from the Village of Mowrystown requesting the board join a sewer district with the village.

As reported by The Times-Gazette, village solicitor Fred Beery sent a letter to the commissioners on behalf of the village suggesting the district as a solution to ongoing financial trouble with the Mowrystown sewer system and wastewater treatment plant.

Beery said Mowrystown Village Council recently approved a sewer rate hike and a “more aggressive” sewer bill collection strategy, notifying residents delinquent in their sewer bills that if they don’t pay up, their sewer connection will be dug up and capped.

Highland County Prosecuting Attorney Anneka Collins is continuing to review the matter as the legal representative for the county.

The commissioners also approved routine financial resolutions.

Reach David Wright at 937-402-2570, or on Twitter @DavidWrighter.