Officials set top 5 list for projects funded by ARPA

Rick Stillion, The Daily Jeffersonian
·4 min read
Guernsey County
Guernsey County

Guernsey County commissioners recently met with county water and sewer Superintendent Jeff Alfman and Engineer Paul Sherry to identify projects that will be funded by American Rescue Plan Act funds.

The county will receive $7.5 million as part of the $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11.

On a related note, commissioners approved a resolution to designate the ARPA funds for water and sewer capital improvements and costs associated with the projects.

They also approved transferring $300,000 from the county's Special Projects Fund to the Waterline Improvement Fund and $45,414.26 from the Special Projects Fund to the Replacement & Improvement Fund for capital improvements by the water and sewer department.

The group identified a top 5 list for projects that begins with installing liners in the sewer collection system for the Colonial Heights and Morgan Manor subdivisions to keep outside liquid from infiltrating the system.

The extra liquid has raised the cost of treatment services by the Village of New Concord for the county system.

The project could cost as much as $3 million, according to an estimate by Alfman.

The second project on the list is improvements at a pump station located near the industrial park on Reitler Road south of Cambridge.

The three pumps at that location are more than 30 years old.

"The pumps almost operate at the maximum level during the summer months," said Alfman. "We need to upgrade the pump station or build an entire new pump station."

That project is estimated to cost $2.5 to $3 million.

The remaining projects on the top 5 list include:

  • Replacing an eight-inch water line that runs under the Read Road bridge spanning Interstate 77 at an estimated cost of $125,000 to $150,000. Sherry said they will look at adding other lines to the project based on the amount of funding available which would increase the cost.

  • Upgrade the county's Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system that is comprised of computers, networked data communications and graphical user interfaces for high-level supervision of machines and processes of the county's water and sewer system.

  • Paint the interior of the Beros water tank between Lore City and Senecaville with a 15-year maintenance program at an estimated cost of $75,000.

Sherry and Alfman plan to pursue additional funding options to help with the cost of the projects in hopes of being able to add more projects to the list.

County officials recently learned they will not receive funding from Ohio House Bill 168, that will provide $250 million for a Water and Sewer Quality Program.

The county will continue to study water and sewer rates for customers in order to help fund future projects.

"What you charge per gallon of treatment or production is not representative of what it costs to run the department and have reinvestment in the system, and have money for repairs, have money for power, and have money for manpower," said Sherry.

Commissioners will also explore options to use a portion of the ARPA funds to help the Guernsey County Highway Department due to a reduction in revenue resulting from fewer gasoline purchases with travel decreasing during the COVID pandemic.

The highway department is funded solely by gasoline tax and license plate fees.

"The ARPA money was designed for COVID-impacted programs and we are funded 50% or more by gas taxes," said Sherry. "As you all know, nobody bought gas in 2020 and we are just getting back to it now.

"In terms of generating revenue, we are tied to state license plates and state fuel tax and can't generate revenue. We have about a $6 million budget and we were about $800,000, almost $900,000, short last year and we are going to be close to that this year. I think there is justification to use it (ARPA) if you so choose," added Sherry.

In other business:

  • Approved countywide sewer rates for all users with the exception of Buffalo Derwent Sewer customers. The residential rate will be a $55 minimum up to $2,000 gallons and $11 for every 1,000 gallons over the minimum. The commercial rate will be $85 for up to 2,000 gallons on 1 inch meters or smaller and a $185 minimum up to 2,000 gallons on meters larger than an inch with $11 addition for every 1,000 gallons above the minimum. The industrial rate is $185 minimum up to 2,000 gallons with $11 additional for every 1,000 gallons over minimum. The new rates are effective Dec. 29.

  • Approved sewer rates for Buffalo Derwent Sewer customers at $60 minimum up to $2,000 gallons and $11 for every 1,000 gallons over the minimum. The commercial and industrial rates are the same as the rest of the county, as listed above. The new rates are effective Dec. 29.

  • Met with Cambridge Mayor Tom Orr and city Engineer Nick Cunningham in executive session regarding a contract. No action was taken following the meeting.

  • Met with Sheriff Jeff Paden, Major Jeremey Wilkinson and Jail Administrator Lt. Jim Stoney in executive session regarding personnel. No action was taken following the meeting.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Officials set top 5 list for projects funded by ARPA