Community

Kelly Touts Ohio County Financial Successes To Commissioners

WHEELING - The Ohio County Clerk's Officehad its best month ever after collecting more than $200,000 in December, and one day alone saw them take in nearly $100,000.

County Clerk Mike Kelly told commissioners about the rise in collections, which he largely attributed to the sale and transfer of property from the former Robinson Automotive Group to new owners. The transition took place on Dec. 20.

The transactions netted the County Clerk's Office more than $94,000 in one day - a record for the office, Kelly reported. Collections for the month of December were about $214,000.

"To put that in perspective, there are counties in the state that don't make $214,000 for the entire year," he said. "When others heard about it, I had people come up to me and say you are doing a great job in your office. I looked at them and said, 'What are you talking about? I didn't do anything...'

"Our job is to record, preserve and collect fees. That is our essence. This money came from the efforts of everybody else - especially you guys."

Kelly commended the commissioners for enacting a tax increment financing district at The Highlands pertaining to real estate tax that continues to generate revenue for the county.

He shot down reports that the Robinson Automotive Group closed because of loss of business.

The Ford dealership there was purchased by Shults Ford, a large western Pennsylvania car dealer who wanted to expand, and wanted to be at The Highlands, Kelly said.

The Toyota dealership, meanwhile, was acquired by the Victory Automotive Group, a large regional dealer.

While the county does not own the property on which the car dealerships sit, Kelly credited the commissioners for creating The Highlands development and turning it into an economic hub.

The new owners could have located anywhere, but chose to be at The Highlands, he continued.a am

"I think that speaks volumes to all you have done," Kelly said.

Before The Highlands was created, the property on which it now sits in Triadelphia generated $5,000 a year in real estate taxes, he noted. Today, that figure is about $4.8 million.

About 42% of the money goes annually to Ohio County Schools, Kelly added.

"The school system has a steady flow of income - just from The Highlands," Kelly said.

Senior citizens in the county also are able to get a property tax exemption due to revenue generated by The Highlands, he continued.

Commissioners, during their first meeting of 2024 on Tuesday, also selected their officers for the year.

Commission President Don Nickerson and Vice President Zach Abraham were re-appointed to their roles. The third commissioner, Randy Wharton, serves as president of the Ohio County Development Authority.

Also rehired for the year by the commission were administrator Randy Russell, dog warden Roger Bise, and solicitor Don Tennant.

The OCDA will meet by phone at 6 p.m. on Jan. 10 with call-in information to be announced.

The Ohio County Commission will next meet at 6 p.m. on Jan. 16 at the City-County Building, 1500 Chapline St., Wheeling.