ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio — The Belmont County Board of Commissioners held its regular meeting Wednesday morning at the Belmont County Courthouse and discussed a grant to create a playground near St. Clairsville accessible to children with disabilities.
Commissioners adopted a resolution to support an application for an Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Major Works Grant for $24,597. The proposed project would create an accessible playground adjacent to the David L. Lucas Dog Park, named in honor of the former sheriff who spearheaded the initiative. Belmont County’s grant match will be met through the value of the county-owned land.
Commissioner Jerry Echemann was authorized to sign an interagency agreement with the David L. Lucas Dog Park and Recreation Fund Inc., allowing the county to act as the grant applicant on behalf of the nonprofit group. Echemann noted that Lucas is still doing a great deal on work on the project.
Commissioners planned an outing Wednesday afternoon with Belmont County Engineer Terry Lively for a road viewing tied to a petition for the vacation of an alley in Pease Township, something they said the board hasn’t done in some time.
Among the financial matters approved were the routine certification of bills and authorizations for transfers within and between funds. A notable transfer included $388,912.30 for the employer share OPERS holding account for April 2025.
The board also granted travel permission for two Water and Sewer District employees to attend training in Pittsburgh on June 3, 2025.
A proposal from Erb Electric Company was approved for $65,000 to purchase and install a Generac portable generator for the Belmont County 911 Department. The generator will ensure backup power during maintenance outages and will be funded through levy proceeds.
The Commissioners also approved a $17,280 payment request from Border Patrol LLC for ongoing restroom and shower renovations at the Sargus Juvenile Detention Center, an upgrade the board acknowledged was long overdue at the 51-year-old facility.
In financial management, the board approved a memorandum of agreement with WesBanco Inc. for the deposit of up to $60 million in active funds and $1 million in inactive or interim funds, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030. Echemann noted that the county deals with a number of different banks.
The next regular commissioners’ meeting is Wednesday, June 4, at 10 a.m. at the Belmont County Courthouse in St. Clairsville, Ohio.
