County's airport consultant gives airport plan overview

TIFFIN – At the Seneca County Commissioners' meeting Thursday morning, the board opened bids for the Seneca County Airport's automatic weather station replacement. Brian Crosier of Stantec Consulting Services, which the county utilizes for airport engineering consulting, discussed what the bid opening is for along with plans for the airport. "What we (Stantech) did last May was apply for a grant through the ODOT Office of Aviation to replace the AWOS at the airport," he said. "That's (the AWOS) the automatic weather station. Theirs (the airport's AWOS) is twenty plus years old. It's an old analog system that can't be serviced anymore." The county received one bid from DBT Transportation Services for $162,252. The project was estimated to cost $180,000. Crosier said the ODOT grant, which the consulting firm secured, will pay 95% of the cost of the project. Stantec will review the bid and get back with the commissioners on the status. "We've been the consultant (for Seneca County Airport) for about 8 years," he said. "During the time that we've been here, we've resurfaced the taxiway, we've bought a couple properties, we're working on buying some more properties. Two years ago, we got a grant to redo the runway lighting and place a new LED system." Crosier said one of the biggest issues the airport is facing is that the runway is not the correct length needed for aircraft that the airport may need to accommodate. "We do have in the plans for the coming years looking at a master plan update for the airport," Crosier continued. "That (the master plan) would look at the existing conditions, the existing operations of aircraft and the fleet mix of the airport. (It would also) come up with projections for the airport, what can be seen over the next 20 years." The FAA would then use the numbers to decide what a reasonable runway extension would be. The project will take multiple years and will involve public meetings. Stantec is hoping to secure a federal grant for a runway extension this year and wrapping up the master plan within the next few years. In other news During Commissioner Bill Frankart's report, he discussed a Zoom meeting put on by State Treasurer Robert Sprague regarding the Ohio Homebuyer Plus savings plan. The savings plan, in collaboration with Gov. Mike Dewine's office, is a "... specialized, tax-advantaged savings accounts to assist Ohioans on their homebuying journey." To qualify for an Ohio Homebuyer Plus account, an eligible accountholder must: Be a resident of Ohio Be at least 18 years old Have a primary residence in Ohio Only use the account proceeds toward the down payment or closing costs of a home purchase in Ohio Accounts connected with Ohio Homebuyer Plus must be used within five years, maintain a minimum balance of at least $100, and cannot exceed a maximum balance of $100,000. To participate in the program, those interested can sign up for an Ohio Homebuyer Plus savings account at a participating bank or credit union. If an interested person meets all the eligibility criteria for an account, the application will be approved. "The Ohio Treasurer's office will make a deposit at a below-market rate with the bank or credit union," reads the website. "The bank or credit union uses the interest generated by the Ohio Treasurer's deposit to provide the accountholder with an enhanced interest rate on their savings account. Contributions by the homebuyer or certain family members may be tax deductible from the contributor's Ohio income tax." Currently, there are no participating banks or credit unions in Seneca County. However, visit https://tos.ohio.gov/homebuyerplus/ and click on the getting started drop down menu. After this, click on the Participating Financial Institutions link to check for local banks or credit unions. "I think it's a fantastic program they (Sprague's office) introduced a few weeks ago," Frankart said. New business: The board approved one supplemental appropriation, $50,000 to the County Capital projects fund for the southeast EMS station. The commissioners approved the following resolutions: Authorizing the Seneca County Board of Commissioners to enter into an agreement/contract with Lake Erie Construction Co., LPA – 2024 Designating Tyler Shuff as DAC chair in place of Anthony Paradiso for the annual Seneca County Health District Advisory Council meeting The next commissioners' meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. March 7 at the commissioners' office, 111 Madison St., Tiffin.