POMEROY — “The most important thing in our lives is good health.”

County Commissioners Michael Bartrum and Tim Ihle discussed the upcoming one-mill levy renewal for the county health department, which they authorized for the November ballot in action earlier this year.

“The popularity of taxes might be at an all-time low, and the strain on budgets, personal and governmental, is sobering,” Ihle said. “The most important thing in our lives is good health. The choices we make for the health of our family, neighborhood, and even our county is more than a choice, it is our responsibility.”

“The need for our health department has been long established and its many services are available to all.”

Ihle and Bartrum said the board of health has demonstrated fiscal responsibility, as has paid staff in the department.

“We hope the voters will take time to make a good choice for health and well being, review the good work they do and the responsible use of our tax dollars.”

During their regular business meeting, commissioners met with a representative of Lanning Mechanical, Athens, regarding needed upgrades to the heating system at the county-owned multi-purpose building. The firm proposes installing a $100,000 control system to address an ongoing problem with temperature control in the building, which houses the county’s health department and the senior center.

Commissioners admit they cannot now afford the upgrades, but said they would consider possible means, including financing, of making the upgrades. Doing so, they believe, will result in considerable energy savings, and the new controls could pay for themselves through those savings in three to five years.

Commissioners met with Grants Administrator Jean Trussell to open bids on electrical upgrades at the firemen’s park in Rutland, but no bids were received. The engineer’s estimate on the project was $18,000. The project is to be funded through the Community Development Block Grant formula allocation for this year.

Commissioners also:

• Approved payment of bills in the amount of $397,198.27.
• Approved the re-appointment of Opal Dyer as the member-at-large on the board of the Buckeye Hills RC&D, and Commissioner Tom Anderson as the alternate on the board.

Present were Commissioners Bartrum and Ihle and Clerk Gloria Kloes, who opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.