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The Washington County Health Department is one step closer to moving into new quarters about 50 yards away from where it is now.
The Southeast Ohio Building Department has approved the health department's building permit for remodeling and improvements to accommodate its move from 342 Muskingum Drive to the former WASCO building at 340 Muskingum Drive.
Chief Building Inspector Rick Dostal said Thursday the permit means specifications can be readied for accepting bids on the work.
"There's still a long way to go, but we are moving forward," according to Joshua Lane, Director of Environmental Health and Co-Interim Administrator for the county health department. "The county commissioners have been great to work with on this," he said.
The department is in the process of seeking enhanced operations money through an Ohio Department of Health grant.
That would not only reduce the monetary burden on the county but would allow the department to seek some refinements, such as enhancing filtration units and providing bacteria-fighting lights in the restrooms. "We want the move to help keep patrons healthy, as well provide them with good service," Lane said.
The health department move is also part of a county economic development strategy involving the WASCO building.
The health department conducts the county's plumbing inspections. SOBD issues the county's building permits. Part of the county engineer's duties cover sewage decisions for new development.
The health department, the building department and the sewer department all will be housed at the WASCO building, making it convenient for developers and allowing the departments to communicate more easily and effectively, according to Washington County Commissioner Charlie Schilling.
Plans for county 911 service to operate out of the building are still on the table, but Ohio regulations have been revised since the inception of the idea and those issues will be addressed and resolved first, Schilling said.