ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The Belmont County Board of Commissioners took another step toward upgrading the county’s water and sanitary sewer system on Wednesday and also voted to begin housing inmates in Jefferson County.

In response to the problem of overcrowding at the county jail, the commissioners entered a contract with Jefferson County to house a minimum of 30 jail inmates at a cost of $55 per inmate per day at the Jefferson County Jail from July 26-Oct. 27.

This cost close to $50,000 a month and about $150,000 during the three-month period.

The agreement could be renewed for another three months afterward.

Belmont County has housed inmates in Jefferson County in the past, and commissioners had vowed they would not agree to fund that measure again this year. But officials said overcrowding left them little choice.

Meanwhile, commissioners approved an application seeking federal assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development in the estimated amount of $48,135,619 for construction of water system improvements.

The money also would be used to purchase an existing building previously owned by Gulfport Energy Corp. to house Belmont County Water and Sewer District administrative offices, and it would help to refinance existing debt.

Commissioner Mark Thomas added that planning of the project has been going on for about 18 months.

“It came out of the master plan that the board had prepared in 2016 that took a look at the existing system, where it was, what needed to be repaired, what needed to be upgraded,” he said, adding that the USDA has provided the county an opportunity with the loan.

“This loan will be a 40-year loan at a fixed interest rate at around 2 percent,” Thomas said, adding that the exact final rate has not yet been locked in. “That allows us to take up to 50 percent of our existing water and sewer debt, some of which is at 3 percent, 4 percent.”

Thomas said a Moody’s Investor Service rating increase about two years ago allowed the commissioners to pay down principle on the debt and reduce the term on interest rates.

“But we can further reduce it through this program and then add up to 50 percent new projects,” he said.

“The big one being the Fox-Shannon Wastewater Treatment Plant at exit 213” of Interstate 70. Thomas said the treatment plant is in need of an upgrade costing more than $5 million. The work is needed for it to function properly with the existing system and to prepare it for expected future growth. He added that this is an important step in the project.

Commissioner Josh Meyer agreed and commented on the importance of reliable infrastructure.

“It’s a good investment, not only for now but into the future,” he said. “We’ve set the path in the right direction.”

The commissioners also gave an update on the status of the restoration of the Belmont County Courthouse. The roofing contractor will be repairing and replacing the slate tiles of the roof this week.

“As they complete each layer of the upper level, scaffolding starts to come down, so there’s a couple layers of scaffolding that has opened up the top portion of the courthouse,” Thomas said. “They are completing mortar restoration around the building. They’re going to complete mortar around the windows. As they do that they do a final cleaning of the stone, and then they’ll clean the windows last as they work their way down.”

Thomas added that the work remains on schedule. The $2.2 million project funded by Belmont County’s share of revenue generated by casinos in the Buckeye State began in September.

“We’re still on-target for Aug. 31 for completion. Once that’s completed, we will begin the process of replacing and repairing concrete in front of the courthouse. The brick areas along the courthouse that have been damaged over the years … that’ll all be replaced. The steps on the east side, the steps on the south side will also be replaced with new concrete.

The county entered an agreement with WDC Group LLC, the architects who designed the restoration, for cleaning and restoration of the rehabilitation area adjacent to the Belmont County Courthouse, including the former jail structure. The work will be paid for using a grant of $50,000 from Ohio History Connection. A bidding process will be initiated.

“This motion here is to enter into an agreement with WDC to take a look at beginning the process of doing the same work on the old county jail next door,” Thomas said. “What we’re going to do at a minimum with that $50,000 is to clean the stone like this building was cleaned, and then paint the bars on the windows and the fire escape in the back.”

Any money remaining from that grant could be used to repair the mortar around the bricks to solidify the exterior of the jail building so that this structure and the courthouse will match.

“That will be a nice addition that will complement each other greatly,” Thomas said, adding that the commissioners will look into obtaining funding for interior work.

“Whatever we can do to complement the Belmont County Sheriff’s Residence Museum and/or use it for office space, we may do,” Thomas said of the former jail.

The commissioners also commended the Cafaro Co. for bringing several new businesses into the Ohio Valley Mall.