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Washington County Commissioners accepted a resolution for dedication of land in Newport Township for road access to the Joseph Barker Jr. House at Thursday morning's meeting.
"It's been a year-long project, and getting road access to the house is just step one," Commission President Kevin Ritter said about the Joseph Barker Jr. House. "It's step one to the rehabilitation of an important historical site."
The commission also approved several appropriations of funds, including one for bridge construction and one for bullet proof vests for officers.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office will be certifying five more Corrections Officers to carry firearms, be able to perform long distance transports, and do hospital duty with inmates. This will add to operations of the jail and the Security and Transport Unit, which is where the need for new bullet proof vests came into play.
"The jail's maintenance has been kept up well," said Commissioner James Booth about his recent tour of jail facilities.
The commission also transferred funds for the Common Pleas Court and Family and Children First. The commissioners also approved a request for proposal to administer an AmeriCorps Program.
There was also some brief talk on the importance of agriculture not only within the county of Washington County but also in the state of Ohio.
"Agriculture brings in $1.8 billion annually," said Commissionere Charlie Schilling. "Both Commissioner Booth and I got to visit various agriculture businesses and I really commend these folks."
Ritter also spoke on the proposed name change of Wayne National Forest to Buckeye National Forest.
"It's a more colossal waste of money," said Ritter. "When Frontier can't afford a school resource officer or a therapy dog when every other school can."
There was also a brief mention about Chief Deputy Mark Warden running for Sheriff.
"I put 100% of my support in Chief Deputy Warden in running for Sheriff," said Ritter.
The Board of Commissioners reminded everyone that the Courthouse will be closed for Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 4. The next Board of Commissioners Meeting will be 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 31.