BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio – At their regular meeting May 14, the Belmont County Board of Commissioners discussed a wide range of items, from staff travel and courthouse renovations to a $15,000 anonymous donation for the Belmont County Animal Shelter.
Major donation to animal shelter
The Board acknowledged the receipt of a generous $15,000 anonymous donation to the Belmont County Animal Shelter. “We are very blessed. This sizable gift will go to excellent use,” said Commissioner J.P. Dutton. Dutton added that county residents have been generous in their support of the animal shelter.
County Employee Travel Approved
The commissioners granted travel permission for county employees from multiple departments for separate training and meeting trips in upcoming months across Ohio and one trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Record Center and Health Department Facility Upgrades
Commissioners approved a major purchase from Patterson Pope for furnishing the new Government Record Center and Health Department building:
- High-density mobile storage systems for the records center at a cost of $549,400.10.
- Furniture totaling $171,475.80 for public spaces, meeting room, Records and Coroner spaces
Dutton says this investment will improve access and long-term storage for official county records which had been moved to multiple locations across the county for storage in recent years.
Digitization of Court Records
An increase of $31,165 was approved for Kofile digitization services, allowing the Belmont County Clerk of Courts to digitize volumes 23–29 of critical records. The work will be funded through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars.
Auditor’s Office Software Overhaul
The Board authorized a $295,900 contract with Software Solutions for a new VIP accounting system for the Auditor’s Office. This system, exempt from competitive bidding, replaces aging infrastructure and is expected to improve efficiency over the next year. The project will also be paid for with ARPA funds.
Courthouse Restroom Remodel
Restrooms serving the jury area in the Belmont County Common Pleas Court will be renovated with the following approved expenditures:
- Tins Custom Cabinetry & Installation: $10,470
- Rite Carpet & Decorating: $2,932.35
- Karras Painting: $3,240
Probation Department Vehicle Purchase
Commissioners approved the purchase of a 2025 Ford Explorer for the Adult Probation Department for $44,617. This vehicle, a replacement unit, will be funded through a grant from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.
Road Petitions and Pipeline Work
The Board accepted a public road petition for the vacation of an unnamed alley in Pease Township and scheduled a public hearing for Road Improvement No. 1195.
A road use maintenance agreement with Blue Racer Midstream, LLC was also approved, allowing pipeline activity along 0.86 miles of County Road 48. A $1.5 million bond is on file to cover any damage.
Next meeting
The next meeting of the Belmont County Board of Commissioners is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21 at 10 a.m. in the Belmont County Courthouse in St. Clairsville.
