Jefferson County commissioners Wednesday approved transferring $49,437 into the fees to pay attorneys for poor criminal defendants in common pleas court.
Commissioners were informed by the county auditor's office that $142,000 was spent on attorney fees through July. The bill to pay attorneys for indigent criminal defendants totaled $28,833 for July alone. The county appropriated $165,000 for the fund at the beginning of the year but the county has spent $142,000 through July.
Vickie Winski, chief deputy auditor, said the $49,437 will cover the cost of attorney fees through October and possibly into November. The county last year spent $195,000 on the attorney fees, down from $242,000 in 2009. The county gets a 25 percent reimbursement for the attorney fees from the state.
Commissioners also finalized a $419,548 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration for the paving of the aprons outside the new hangars at the county airport. The airport authority has bid out the project, which should be completed in the fall.
"Unfortunately, these are the consequences of the times we face right now," said county Commissioner Tom Gentile.
Commissioners also discussed the county airport authority advertising for professional qualifications to do engineering work at the airport. The county has employed Richland Engineering of Mansfield since the 1980s.
Gary Folden, county airport authority secretary, said it has been about 10 years since the authority requested professional qualifications from engineers. He said the airport authority will advertise for professional qualifications after the runway extension project is finished early next year.
Richland Engineering officials said they will charge the county about $200,000 for the $2 million runway extension project.
Commissioners also agreed to provide $10,000 in additional piggyback tax recreation money to the county fair board to help through the county fair, scheduled to begin on Aug. 13. The commissioners cut funding to the fair board at the beginning of the year. Even with the extra money approved Wednesday, the fair board will receive less than last year.
Commissioners also approved a road-use agreement with Chesapeake Exploration. County Engineer James Branagan said the current one-year road-use agreement has expired. The agreement also will include improvements on county Roads 14,15 and 16 for a new well site, Branagan said.
Commissioners also received a invitation to a historical marker presentation at 11 a.m. Aug. 28 at the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County main branch at 407 S. Fourth St. The marker will commemorate Andrew Carnegie and the library building.
Commissioners also announced the meeting next week will be held at 9 a.m. today. Commissioners requested representatives of the county health department attend the meeting to explain why Apex Landfill has not be cited for violations since April. Commissioners said there have been numerous reports of odor violations since April.
