Commissioners discuss health insurance, approve college project

WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, Ohio — Fayette County Commissioners met Monday with county department heads to discuss 2025-26 health insurance renewals.

Carla Melvin, head of Human Resources, presented summaries from the county health insurance consortium CEBCO. The report included information on enrollments, claims and premiums. Discussions focused on employee versus county contributions and the availability of PPO and HSA insurance plans.

Melvin noted that 44 of Ohio’s 88 counties participate in CEBCO, which helps keep costs low for county governments. Further discussions are planned before final decisions are made on the new year’s plans.

A representative from the West Central Ohio Port Authority (WESTCO) addressed the commissioners about their intent to issue Development Revenue Bonds Series 2025, not to exceed $35 million, for the STEM Academy Project. The bonds will help finance a portion of the cost to acquire, construct, equip, install and improve “port authority facilities,” including two new buildings that will expand classrooms at Clark State Community College in Springfield, Ohio. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Although Fayette County is part of WESTCO, it will not be responsible for the bond issue. However, the commissioners were asked to approve the project. After reviewing the proposed resolution, commissioners approved the bond issue request for the college classroom improvement project.

Bruce Brandstetter of Brandstetter Carroll Inc. updated commissioners on ongoing projects at the Fayette County Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration approved the new runway lights project, with construction expected to begin in August.

A pavement condition inspection of the runway should be completed in fiscal year 2027, and drainage improvements will take place at the northeast end of the runway.

According to Brandstetter, the contractor is still awaiting new AWOS equipment and will advise when the automated weather observing system will be moved to its new location.

In other business, commissioners approved the county engineer to receive bids on July 7 for bridge beams for the Creamer Road bridge repair.

Upon the recommendation of Faye Williamson, director of the Department of Job and Family Services, commissioners approved a contract between the child support agency and Carole Pontious. Pontious will serve as the administrative hearing officer for issues of paternity and child support payments.