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Acceptance of transportation plan delayed

STEUBENVILLE — The Jefferson County commissioners on Thursday delayed accepting a transportation plan for residents until language in the document is changed.

Representatives of the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association and the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission presented the commissioners with a plan which would coordinate transportation services for senior citizens and low-income residents.

Sean Sammon, OMEGA transit planner, said the state is requiring counties to submit the transportation plan or federal money used to buy vehicles, used for such services as taking people to doctor’s appointments or Prime Time delivered meals, would be withheld.

County commissioners took exception to the plan including a mobility manager. Commissioner David Maple said the mobility manager could determine which business or organization gets the assigned trips and financial reimbursement. Commissioner Thomas Graham said he has received calls from transportation service providers objecting to the mobility manager being included. Commissioner Tom Gentile said he doesn’t want the plan to have an impact on private businesses

Sammon said the mobility manager is a goal under the program but doesn’t have to be implemented. He said the mobility manager wouldn’t pick a transportation service provider, but would only provide information on what services are available.

Mike Paprocki, BHJ executive director, said transportation services have been coordinated on both sides of the river for years so there isn’t a duplication of services.

Sammon said federal funds pay for 80 percent of the cost of vehicles. He said Prime Time is in need of new vehicles to transport senior citizens and to deliver meals.

Maple said the grant money should be available regardless of an approved transportation plan. Paprocki said the transportation plan is needed to get the federal money for vehicle purchases.

Commissioners tabled action on the plan after Paprocki said a better definition of the mobility manager would be provided.

Commissioners approved adjustments to the health insurance program for employees.

Graham, who chairs the health insurance committee, said there will be no increase in premiums for employees, who pay from $90 a month for single coverage to $178 for a family plan. He said the program covers 1,500 people, including the families of workers.

Deductibles will increase, along with office visit and emergency room copays. Department heads will have to pay more for worker health insurance. The total cost to the county will go from $7.6 million a year to slightly more than $8 million a year.

Graham noted the self-funded health-insurance plan has a surplus of $3 million, which is needed for large claims.

Commissioners approved allowing the county Department of Developmental Disabilities to advertise for bids to renovate the former workshop building located off John Scott Highway. Mike Zinno, DD superintendent, said the building will be remodeled into offices and activity rooms. He said the training center on Cherry Avenue would be phased out.

Cost of the work is estimated at around $800,000. Bids will be opened on Dec. 20.

Zinno said the goal is to centralize operations to the John Scott Highway campus.

Commissioners agreed to split the cost of a camera with Steubenville, showing the corner of Market and Third streets and part of Historic Fort Steuben. The camera will cost $3,995.

Commissioners agreed to use $4,400 in recreation funds to remove a tree which fell in a park in Yorkville, forcing its closure over safety concerns.

Commissioners received the October animal shelter report. There were 73 dogs brought into the shelter, 30 were carried over from September, 22 dogs were returned to the owner and 52 dogs were adopted. There was one dog euthanized because of injuries sustained when it was hit by a car.

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