JEFFERSON — More requests for CARES Act technology upgrades were approved by county commissioners on Tuesday.
Since the CARES Act was signed into law in March, the county has used the funds for a small business grant, as well as for purchasing personal protective equipment and upgrading technology to make working remotely more feasible.
On Tuesday, County Administrator Janet Discher presented a number of requests to the commissioners. One of the requests was for equipment to make a fifth dispatching station at the Sheriff’s Office operational to allow for more distancing in the dispatch center, Discher said.
“If we were able to make the fifth dispatch position functioning, then we can space out the dispatchers a little better for COVID-related purposes,” she said.
The upgrades will cost $35,530, Discher said.
The Emergency Management Agency also made a request for technology for its new building, costing $36,400.
The Department of Jobs and Family Services requested reimbursement for money spent to purchase PPE near the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak. Eastern and Western County Courts’ probation departments asked for funds for four webcams and some additional sneeze guards.
The county engineer’s office requested a pair of computers, one traditional PC and a more specialized computer to view CAD drawings. The prosecutor’s office requested six air purifiers and replacement filters.
The total amount of requests was around $85,000, Discher said.
In other
business
• The commissioners approved an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation for the operation, maintenance and repair of the lift bridge.
The agreement states that the county will be responsible for performing all major maintenance, improvements, reconstruction and repair to the bridge, and that ODOT will reimburse the county for its expenses within 30 days of receiving an invoice from the county.
•The commissioners accepted a $419,000 grant for ACTS from the U.S. and Ohio Departments of Transportation to be used for capital and operating expenses, according to the resolution.
