Commissioners look at several issues

Van Wert independent

The Van Wert County Board of Commissioners looked at funding the demolition of two houses in the city of Van Wert, had a discussion with Union Township trustees on possible revenues from the county’s wind farms and also considered options on expanding a heating-air conditioning project planned for the third floor of the Courthouse to the entire building.

Van Wert Mayor Don Farmer and City Engineering Supervisor Bill Lawson met first with the commissioners to seek funding earmarked for demolition of condemned buildings. City officials are looking at demolishing two houses in the city that have been condemned as unusable.

Commissioner Gary Adams said the commissioners will work with the city to provide funding if ownership of the structures is obtained by the city.

The commissioners also met with Union Township trustees concerning possible revenues that would be generated by wind farms within the county. Adams said no information is available from the state on what those revenues might be, but said that would likely come after the state determines whether the wind farms are entitled to a lower rate because they used more Ohio workers in constructing the turbines.

The final meeting of the day for the commissioners was with representatives of Palmer Energy to further discuss further expansion of the Common Pleas Courtroom project.

The project, which originally involved renovating the courtroom and restoring its stained-glass ceiling, was later expanded to include HVAC system replacement on the third floor of the Courthouse.

Lately, the commissioners have been considering whether replacing the HVAC system in the entire Courthouse is financially feasible. More work is being done to research the project, although Adams said he didn’t expect any substantial delays in getting the Common Pleas Court project moving if the project is further expanded.