ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio — The Belmont County Board of Commissioners convened Wednesday morning for its regular meeting at the Belmont County Courthouse, taking action on a number of budgetary items, personnel decisions, and public service programs.
A contract between the Belmont County Board of Commissioners and the Mental Health and Recovery Board was renewed for services in the county jail, with up to $65,000 allocated for mental health and substance abuse treatment for inmates. Commissioners emphasized the value of the partnership in addressing the increasing presence of individuals with mental health crises in the correctional system. Services are provided at no cost to inmates.
Commissioners granted permission for several county employees to attend upcoming professional development travel:
- Two employees from the Probate and Juvenile Division of the Court of Common Pleas will travel to Dublin, Ohio, July 23–25.
- Two from the Department of Job and Family Services will attend training in Greenville, West Virginia, June 12–13.
- One employee from the Recorder’s Office will travel to Canton,y Ohio on June 12.
The board approved the hiring of three new county employees:
- Richard Planey as full-time facility supervisor for the Buildings and Grounds Department, effective June 9.
- John Baker as full-time maintenance/housekeeping staff, filling a replacement position, also effective June 9.
- Jody Thomas as fiscal clerk for the Board of Commissioners, replacing a prior employee, effective June 9.
Commissioners praised the Buildings and Grounds Department’s work, noting ongoing and upcoming construction projects and the department’s critical role in maintaining county facilities.
The board also approved St. Clairsville’s request for $140,000 in street improvement funds through the vehicle license tax fund, with all funding coming from outside the county’s general fund.
In capital project developments, the commissioners approved a payment of $671,000 to Grae-Con Construction for work on the Belmont County Health and Records Building. Progress on that site remains active with construction expected to continue into 2026.
The commissioners also updated the county’s Federal Transit Administration Title VI policy to maintain compliance with 5310 grant program requirements.
Additionally, the board authorized a new agreement with Area Agency on Aging Region 9, continuing support for the Passport Medicaid waiver program through 2027. Through this agreement, Belmont County Senior Services will provide home-delivered meals and non-medical transportation to eligible seniors.
Also approved was the updated Prevention, Retention, and Contingency (PRC) Plan, submitted by the Department of Job and Family Services and required by Ohio law every two years. The PRC plan outlines temporary assistance for low-income families in crisis.
In support of children’s nutrition, the board approved a $30,000 services contract with Outreach Inc. to fund materials for the school backpack food program, backed by Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds.
The next regular meeting of the Belmont County Board of Commissioners will take place on Wednesday, June 11 at 10:00 a.m. in the Belmont County Courthouse in St. Clairsville.
