LISBON — The Columbiana County commissioners approved $79,022 in expenses from the American Rescue Plan Act, including $45,000 for the county park district to purchase a new mower.

“We’re going to try to help them out,” Commissioner Mike Halleck said.

The action was taken Wednesday on the eve of Thanksgiving, a day for giving thanks, which Commissioner Tim Weigle did as he thanked his fellow commissioners, the staff and his constituents for their support the past 12 years. Weigle has about a month left before his third term as commissioner ends and he retires from public service after 35 years. He previously served as a Unity Township trustee.

Halleck and Commissioner Roy Paparodis also wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving.

Park district board members had talked about the need for a new mower during their meeting earlier this month and agreed to ask commissioners for ARPA funds.

Other ARPA expenses approved included $5,595 for Selectus Consulting for computers for the county treasurer’s office and $28,427 for JAM Mechanical Services for replacing the heating pumps at the Government Services Building, which houses the county Board of Elections, Veterans Services and the county Department of Job and Family Services.

In other business, commissioners opened bids for the county engineer for gas, fuel, kerosene, slag, gravel, asphalt, limestone and ice control materials for 2025, referring all bids to the county’s engineer’s office for review. Bidders included Kelly Oil of Salem for fuel, 21st Century of New Castle, Pa. for fuel, R & J Trucking of Youngstown for slag and stone, Mar-Zane Materials of Zanesville for asphalt, East Fairfield Stone Co. of North Lima for crushed limestone, Hei-Way LLC of Sarver, Pa. for cold mix, Kelly Paving West Virginia of Rayland for cold mix, asphalt and Shelly Company of Twinsburg for gravel.

The commissioners approved several amended certificates and appropriations, which Halleck said is normal for this time of year as they increase or decrease appropriations to balance at the end of the year. One of the appropriations was $460,854 for the sheriff’s office to get through the rest of the year. Also certified was $3.6 million for commissioners from last year’s carryover to put into the escrow fund, along with $3.8 million anticipated from this year. The escrow fund is money that’s saved or set aside for use for projects or any emergencies that may come up.

Commissioners also authorized county Auditor Nancy Gause Milliken to sign an agreement with Harris Local Government, Easley, S.C. for managed print and mail services for Homestead and CAUV, authorized county Engineer Bert Dawson to sign an agreement with Republic Services for municipal sludge and grits/screenings disposal and approved a highway easement for $300 with the Ohio Department of Transportation related to the replacement of an existing stone box culvert in Franklin Township.

Commissioners approved multiple contracts related to services provided through the Senior Services Levy, as recommended by county DJFS Director Rachel Ketterman. All the contracts run from Jan. 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2025. Contractors for home health aide, homemaker and chore services include: Always Best Care with a spending ceiling of $30,000; Companion Care, $115,000; Mother’s Karing Touch, $15,000; and ShineOn LLC Cleaning, $40,000. Clean Choice Maids will provide homemaker services with a spending ceiling of $10,000. Homemaker and Chore services will be provided by FTC Cleaning LLC for $15,000. Home Health Aide and Homemaker services will be provided by TLC Private Care for $6,000. Other contracts approved through the Senior Services Levy included extermination services through Economy Pest Control for $7,000 and representative payee services through Community Action Agency of Columbiana County for $25,000.

Commissioners amended a current Senior Services Levy contract for public guardian Margaret Ketchum to increase the contract ceiling by $250 from $1,500 to $1,750 until Dec. 31 this year.

Commissioners also approved a contract funded by commissioners for snow and ice removal by Tipton’s Lawn & Landscaping Inc. from Nov. 1, 2024 through Sept. 30, 2025 for a contract ceiling of $9,500, as recommended by Ketterman.

The next commissioners’ meeting will be 9 a.m. Dec. 4 in the downtown courthouse.

mgreier@mojonews.com