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MARIETTA -- Flite Freimann, director of Washington County Job and Family Services, told the county commissioners Thursday that data used to determine the final home of his agency is being collected and that the merger with Children Services is being addressed on multiple fronts.
The biggest issue being tackled by Freimann is the potential location of the combined agencies. Currently, Children Services is located at 204 Davis Ave., while JFS is located at 115 Gilman Ave. Freimann said the goal is to move both agencies into one of the two sites. Freimann said whichever one is chosen, updates will need to be made to the structures. Freimann said Pickering Associates, an engineering firm with offices in Marietta, has made an initial evaluation of both properties and has made suggestions on how to utilize both locations in order to meet his agency's needs.
Freimann said the Gilman Avenue's 22,492-square-feet provides ample room to house all the agency's staff, but needs some updating.
"The building is not fully sprinkled," he said. "Only the file rooms."
Another problem that would need to be addressed regards the Americans with Disabilities Act. When the Gilman Avenue location was constructed in 1967, it met with all guidelines set forth by the government for people with disabilities. But new regulations associated with the ADA may force other changes in the building.
"The bathroom stalls are too small," Freimann said. "We will have to remove a toilet in each bathroom to make room."
Freimann said the Davis Avenue location is compliant with all building codes, but another county agency would need to find a new location in able for the larger JFS to inhabit that building. Freimann said Pickering Associates informed him that the space currently occupied by the Washington County Board of Elections would have to be used to house all of his employees, forcing the board to find a new home. Freimann received permission from the commissioners to talk to the board about what requirements they need for an office.
"Nobody likes to move," he said. "But if I can talk to the Board of Elections about what they need in a new location…we can address those concerns."
Freimann said a more detailed project proposal will be given to him in three weeks by Pickering Associates. He said they will give cost estimates for the renovation projects at both locations.
The next area of the merger discussed was the fiscal implications arising from the merger. Freimann said the fiscal plan proposed will be given to the state for approval on Jan. 31. Freimann said he believes it will meet their standards and will be implemented, keeping both agencies' bills paid.
"Once approved, we will have the authority to move Children Services under JFS," he said.
The final area Freimann discussed was personnel issues. Freimann said that most county agencies across the state operate under one collective bargaining agreement with their employees that needs to be renewed every three years. But with the merger, Freimann said they will have two separate CBAs for both the Children Services employees and the JFS staff. Freimann said they will have the dual CBAs until August of 2020, the end of the current agreements. At that time, Freimann said a determination will be made whether to keep separate agreements, or to make them into a single entity.
No personnel were available at the Board of Elections Thursday to comment on the potential change of location.
Other business discussed at Thursday's meeting:
* Washington County Treasurer Tammy Bates was present while commission clerk Rick Peoples opened four bids for the county's depository contract.
"It's basically picking which bank the county uses," said Commissioner Ron Feathers.
Feathers said the four-year contract has historically been given to Peoples Bank.
"They've had it for at least 50 years," he said.
Bates said the county doesn't pay to use the banks, so cost won't be an issue when she makes her recommendation to the commissioners.
"I'm looking for the highest interest rates and the lowest fees," she said.
Bates told the commissioners she could have her recommendation ready as early as Thursday.
The bids received were from Huntington Bank, Wes Banco, Peoples Bank and Citizens Bank.
* Kurt Bohlen, Washington County Fair Board chairman, said the board was in the black for the first time in at least five years.
"We are looking at between a $30,000 to $32,000 profit," he said. "We hope we are moving in the right direction."
Bohlen said the main increase in funds is from the rentals of campsites at the fairgrounds by workers in the oil and gas industry.
"Our campsites have been very full," he said.
"That's the best report from the fair board I've heard since I've been a commissioner," said Commission President David White.
***
Dates to Remember
* 7 p.m. Monday: Planning Commission meeting at 204 Davis Ave.
* Noon Feb. 4: Council of Governments at Lori's in Caldwell
* 8:30 a.m. Feb. 12: Monthly meeting at County Home
* Feb. 18: Courthouse closed for Presidents' Day