BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio – The decision by Jim DeNoble and Rick Ferrell, incumbent candidates for Richland Township Trustee in Belmont County, to construct a nearly $1 million dollar township building is a major issue in Tuesday’s general election and came to light during an Oct. 27 debate on Dimitri! Live & Dangerously Local!™️
Incumbents Jim DeNoble and Rick Ferrell defended the investment and challenger Jay Stephens questioned its cost and necessity.
The building is located at 66565 Warnock St. Clairsville Road in St. Clairsville, Ohio.
Incumbent trustees DeNoble and Ferrell stood by the $968,000 project, describing it as a long-needed improvement that replaced a deteriorating facility and provided safer, more efficient space for township operations — all without new debt or higher taxes.
Ferrell emphasized that the project was fully funded without borrowing and that township road funds remain untouched. “This building is paid for,” he said. “It’s a win-win for the township. People who disagree can make their voices heard at the ballot box.”
The township used COVID funds for the building project.
“The old building was falling apart,” DeNoble said. “This wasn’t something decided in a few days. We discussed it for eight months, and anyone could have attended the meetings. Only one person objected — and that was you, Jay.”
Challenger Jay Stephens pushed back, arguing that trustees failed to adequately scrutinize construction costs and could have opted for a more affordable renovation. He claimed the final price grew with additional expenses, including architectural fees and generators, pushing the total close to $1 million.
“I don’t understand some of these prices,” Stephens said. “If you were paying for it yourself, it wouldn’t cost anywhere near that much.”
During the debate, moderator Dimitri asked whether a dedicated public meeting space was necessary given other available venues. The incumbents said township meetings were temporarily held in community rooms and at the sheriff’s substation at the Ohio Valley Mall during construction, and confirmed that the total cost included demolition of the old structure.
The three candidates are vying for two trustee positions. Voters will decide the trustee race today.
