CADIZ — A local couple told Harrison County commissioners Wednesday that they are experiencing a difficult situation near their home and sought help in resolving the situation.

Jessica and Chris Birney own a farm near Hopedale and said they have been experiencing problems with neighbors for more than eight months. They complained about a nearby plot of land that they said has no legal address, as well as no running water or sewerage. They alleged that there have been problems related to trash and trespassing and that, according to the county auditor, no building permit was filed for the dwelling on the property in question. Jessica Birney said she believes if the permit law had been enforced, they would not be in this situation.

“We have building permits for a reason,” she said.

They added that they had spoken to the health department about the sanitation issues and already had begun to see results; they said the property has a deadline to comply with an order to set up a composting toilet, which is allowed by Ohio law if a property does not have running water. Jessica Birney said they just want to make sure their property, which has been in the family for four generations, and their family are safe. The commissioners promised the Birneys they would speak to the sheriff and other offices and try to help work out the situation.

In other business, commissioners heard bids for an upcoming road striping project in the county. After listening to the bids, commissioners tabled the discussion until they can thoroughly review the bids with the engineer’s office. They also formally accepted a bid for a new fiber internet line for Harrison County, accepting CompuCorp’s bid of $39,000 for the new line, pending final approval by the prosecutor. The new fiber line will help increase the speed of internet service for the buildings affected, which is important when using computers for business and county work. Nick Homrighausen, director of economic development for the county, thanked the commissioners for the decision, saying the line will make life and work easier for many people.

Commissioners approved purchase orders for Doug Crabtree, representing the engineer’s office, as well as out-of-county travel requests submitted by Scott Blackburn, director of the Harrison County Department of Job and Family Services. Commissioners also announced they had come to a decision on back-up EMS services, approving the proposal from Harrison Community Hospital. Last week, the board heard proposals from both Harrison Community Hospital and the Hopedale Volunteer Fire Department regarding a small, paid squad of emergency personnel who would be ready and available to respond when volunteers might not be available.

“When it comes to the timing in those situations I think the hospital is a wise choice,” said Commissioner Paul Coffland.

The Harrison County Board of Commissioners meets at 10 a.m. every Wednesday in the Harrison County Courthouse, Cadiz.