Christopher Fauber, Highland County engineer, looked on as bids were opened for a resurfacing project.
The Highland County Board of Commissioners opened multiple bids for a resurfacing project at its weekly Wednesday meeting.
The description of the project stated that it was linear grading 3.54 miles of New Market Road four foot wide on each side of the road. Then, asphalt resurfacing New Market Road with 2.5 inches of asphalt and polyester striping.
The four bids opened were as follows: Fillmore Construction for $1,238,817, The Shelly Corporation for $1,447,933, Miller-Mason Paving Co. for $1,121,627 and Brown County Asphalt, Inc. for $1,418,957.
Christopher Fauber, county engineer, said the resurfacing project would be from New Market Road onto U.S. Route 62 west toward East Danville and that it could finish by June of next year.
“Sometimes that gives contractors, if they’re not bound by a short turnaround, then we can sometimes get a little better price,” Fauber said. “So, our estimate was like $1.3 (million) So that’s a, that’s a good number.”
However, Fauber also said the bids couldn’t be approved until July 1, 2023, because it was funded with Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) money, which wouldn’t become available until then.
In other news, commissioner Dave Daniels said the Fayette County Solar Project is “coming along fine.” He said it’s in legal review right now and they intend to look at it in the next two to three weeks.
Jeremy Ratcliff, director of Highland County Jobs and Family Services (HCJSF), said that the agency has had its “head above water but not very far” concerning Medicaid verification.
He said staffing has been a “huge issue” for HCJFS on that side of the agency with some “unfortunate” turnover. He said the amount of work due to Medicaid “unwinding” is extensive, with the state using bots or algorithmic work to help the agency.
The board approved Resolution No. 23-78, which is authorization for a tornado siren for Greenfield at a cost of $59,252.
Fauber said the county used to have two of that size but ended up getting two smaller ones. He said they are replaced about every 10 years, but the one being replaced with the new purchase is 12 years old. However, he also said that the county will keep the old one as well.
Commission president Terry Britton said health insurance was up for renewal and had to go through negotiations with the company. He said the board would “probably” act on that next week.
Reach Jacob Clary at 937-402-2570.
