CADIZ — Brandi Simmons, office manager at the Harrison County Engineer’s Office, presented the 2023 year-end report to the Harrison County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday.

“2023 brought changes within the Harrison County Engineer’s Office and Highway Department,” Simmons said.

She pointed out that the engineer’s office completed many paving projects, guardrail replacements, slip repairs and pavement striping. Simmons also said the office purchased some much-needed equipment last year.

“Everybody knows the engineer’s office has been lacking in the upgrades of equipment, so over the past few years we have been able to get a lot replaced,” she said.

The engineer’s office purchased a new street sweeper, a new pickup truck, two dump trucks with snow plows, a used bucket truck, a used semi truck and an excavator with accessories.

The total cost for the equipment was $982,024.

Simmons said she is still waiting for two trucks to arrive that she ordered at the end of 2023.

She added that the engineer’s office should not need new equipment for a long time now that most of the vehicles are new.

“Our truck fleet is definitely getting out with the old. I think we’re only down to two old trucks,” she said.

Simmons also said the new addition for the engineer’s office has been completed and has passed inspections. She said office workers are preparing to move in.

Officials broke ground for the project last spring. E. Mullins Construction of Bloomingdale completed the work for $652,750.

“This addition will be beneficial in the operations of the highway department as all employees will now be in one location, making it easier for communications and overseeing the day-to-day operations,” Simmons said.

Simmons also said the engineer’s Freeport garage is in need of repair. She said the salt bins need to be repaired, and the roof of the building has been leaking. She also recommended adding more insulation to the building.

“We’re trying to figure out what we need to do so that we can save on heating bills this time of year,” she said.

Simmons said the office is working on getting quotes for the repairs.

Simmons also said that plans are already in place for the spring.

“As we begin 2024, we are looking at various culvert replacements along with multiple paving projects. A bridge replacement project is scheduled on County Road 27 and should begin in early spring,” she said.

In other news, the commissioners also discussed their collaboration with BroadbandOhio through the Ohio Department of Development to bring high-speed internet to the county. Commissioner Paul Coffland said the Ohio Department of Development would like residents to take an online internet speed test to determine which areas are the most underserved.

Any Harrison County resident can take the internet speed test by going to broadbandregister.ohio.gov. Participants will have to enter their name and address, take the speed test while connected to their home internet and upload a copy of their most recent internet bill to the website. Participants should take the test twice on different days to provide the Ohio Department of Development with accurate results.

Anyone in Harrison County who does not live in a location with internet access can go to the same website and take an online survey at a local library or other location with internet access.

The survey will help the Ohio Department of Development determine what locations have no internet access. Survey participants will have to enter their name and address and upload any document or type any official statements that state that internet access is unavailable at that address.

The commissioners approved two vouchers for the Harrison County Department of Job and Family Services to pay bills, one for $50,064.96 and one for $7,474.83. They also unanimously approved $22,532.47 for Children Services. The commissioners approved $571.52 for EMS services and $13,621.71 for the engineer’s office.

The Harrison County Board of Commissioners will have its next meeting at 10 a.m. Jan. 31 in the Harrison County Courthouse in Cadiz.