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LISBON -- A new Ohio House bill which will help the county cover the cost of public defenders was touted this week by county Commissioner Mike Halleck.
The Ohio House Finance Committee recently released House Bill 110, which would put into the upcoming budget enough money to reimburse the counties for about 100 percent of the costs of indigent defense. According to the County Commissioners Association of Ohio, this substitute budget bill provides about $8.3 million and $12.3 million in additional funding for the fiscal years 2022 and 2023, money earmarked to county indigent defense reimbursement.
Halleck noted about 90 percent of the inmates in the county jail require the help of a public defender during their cases. The county has a contract with several attorneys who have formed a group to provide the service. Without that, Halleck estimates the county would pay close to $2 million if the court assigned the attorneys.
As it is, the county plans to spend $735,000 this year to cover the costs of the public defenders for those determined to be without the means to pay for it.
During the commissioners' meeting, Halleck said he would like to thank State Rep. Tim Ginter for spearheading this effort to assist this county and others with this cost. The bill must be still be passed by both houses of the legislature.
In other matters before the commissioners:
-- The elevator project was completed and was back operational after passing an inspection on Wednesday afternoon. Commissioner Roy Paparodis noted Halleck had already tried the elevator out and the work was completed by Schindler Elevator about two weeks ahead of schedule. Paparodis said they will be checking to see if they have an insurance claim through CORSA, their liability insurance company, because they believe the cylinder may have prematurely deteriorated.
-- Commissioners approved the annual agreement between the county Department of Jobs and Family Services and Thompson Park, which will provide free pool passes for sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students and their families from the East Liverpool, Wellsville, Southern Local and Lisbon school districts. The agreement ceiling amount is $116,000 and is covered by Temporary Assistance for Needy Families money.
-- A public hearing originally planned regarding the proposed road vacation of White Road in Madison Township, was moved until 9:15 a.m., Wednesday, May 5, due to problems with the advertising for the initial hearing.
-- Commissioners voted to award the bituminous emulsion material purchasing bid to Russell Standard Corp., which is also known as JASA Asphalt, from Akron, for $1,903,550.
djohnson@mojonews.com