BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio – The Belmont County Board of Commissioners authorized to continue tax abatements for two local companies at their meeting Tuesday.
Muxie Distributing Company in Bellaire and and Hill International Property LLC in St. Clairsville will continue to receive tax incentives. J. P. Dutton, President of the Board of Commissioners, said the board reviews these abatements to ensure that the companies which receive them meet guidelines. Jerry Echemann, Vice President of the Board of Commissioners, noted the tax abatement period is 10 years.
Commissioners held their weekly meeting on Tuesday due to scheduling conflicts.
Commissioner Vince Gianangeli was absent due to attending a training and orientation session for new county commissioners in Columbus. The program is a key initiative that takes place every two years in February. This structured program is part of a broader effort by the County Commissioners Association of Ohio to support the professional development of county officials and ensure the smooth operation of local government, according to Dutton.
Dutton was present at Tuesday’s meeting but said he was traveling to Washington D.C. to attend energy meetings and scheduled visits.
Commissioners also handled routine business, including:
- Granting travel permissions for senior center employees to attend events outside the county in March 2025.
- Approving an equipment purchase of a John Deere 316GR Skid Steer from Ag-Pro Companies for the Building and Grounds Department, with trade-ins offsetting costs. The department traded in two tractors for $14,500. The skid steer was priced at $43,619. The county paid $29.369.10 total after the trades.
- Accepting a quote for $27,738 from Kofile to to digitize records for the Belmont County Clerk of Courts. The county is using American Rescue Plan Act funds (ARPA) funds.
- Facilitating fund transfers for the Board of Developmental Disabilities.
- Approving an agreement allowing for reimbursement of legal representation costs by the Belmont County Prosecutor for children’s services cases for the Belmont County Dept. of Job & Family Services. The prosecutor will claim reimbursement at the rate of $40.57 per quarter hour. This is effective Jan. 1, 2025 through Dec. 31, 2025.
- Signing off on the Ohio’s Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program agreement with the Area Agency on Aging Region 9 on Behalf of Senior Services of Belmont County.
- Signing off on the Housing Revolving Loan Fund Administration Agreement with the State of Ohio Development Services Agency for lien repayments from CHIP projects.
The board also emphasized the importance of ongoing initiatives, such as the Farmers Market Program, which benefits both local seniors and farmers, and the regional housing projects led by the Belmont Regional Council.
Looking ahead, the commissioners’ next meeting will be held at its regular time of 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 5.
