Washington County Commission President James Booth received a “gavel” during Thursday’s commission meeting as others looked on.

Washington County Commissioners discussed their goals for the new year at their regular meeting on Thursday.

Commissioner James Booth wants to continue with the advancement of broadband in Washington County, saying expanding broadband was not just a campaign promise.

Booth said there is a meeting scheduled later this week with broadband providers to see how they can expand broadband in the county.

He wants to continue on the path of economic development in Washington County, especially with water and sewer, and plans to support the county’s sanitary engineer to develop water and sewer in the county so it can be attractive to businesses and new housing, he said.

Booth also mentioned the county’s commitment to working with the Ohio EPA on the $105 million Dupont Settlement.

“You may or may not know we look to possibly gain tens of millions of dollars to help the water districts,” Booth said.

He said he wants to keep the beneficial relationships the county has with the County Risk Sharing Authority of Ohio (CORSA), the Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA), Ohio Children and Family First (OFCF) and others.

There are other projects he wants to finish including the courthouse HVAC, Devola sewer, and a new building near the WASCO building that will house the county squads, the county air truck, and the Emergency Management Agency (EMA) truck, Booth said. Commissioner Charlie Schilling also has goals for the county that he shared at the meeting.

Schillig said that his goals include continuing on the path of having centralized 911 in Washington County.

“We have way too many delays. Our current system that we have right now is way outdated”, he said.

Schilling said that money from the state is coming for next generation 911 services and everyone should stay tuned.

The commission addressed other business at the meeting including:

¯ Approving a quote for $7,840 for a bus shelter that will be located on Colgate Drive. Funds from the Ohio Department of Transportation will pay for this project.

¯ Passing a resolution allocating 30% of the monthly permissive sales tax receipts to the Permissive Sales Tax Fund. The townships and the County Engineer’s Office receive money from this fund.

¯ Approving a request by the New Matamoras Senior Center for funds to replace their furnace.

¯ Approving paying for a year subscription for $1,300 to Gongwer News Service, a company that offers news, legislative bill tracking, and other services.

¯ Approving 11 Then & Now items. These are purchase orders that are for more than $100.

¯ Expressing their disapproval of Gov. Mike DeWine’s vetoing Ohio H.B. 68 that would have prohibited doctors from providing gender affirming care for transgender youth and would have kept transgender athletes from playing women’s sports.