T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA Ohio County Risk Sharing Authority membership services manager Allie Redman informs the Belmont County Board of Commissioners about its new insured value after the appraisal.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The Ohio County Risk Sharing Authority visited the Belmont County Board of Commissioners during its weekly meeting Wednesday to provide an appraisal for the county.

CORSA is the property and liability coverage provider for Belmont County. CORSA membership services manager Allie Redman informed the board that its new insured value after the appraisal was completed is $274,832,961.

She added that it was an increase of $25,326,553, but said that the board would not be charged for a $25 million-plus increase.

CORSA appraises all buildings, structures, and vehicles owned by the county. The appraisal does not include plots of land. Commissioner J.P. Dutton said it includes things such as pump houses and other above-ground structures, but not things such as waterlines.

The last appraisal was completed in 2021 and resulted in a value of $249,497,408.

Redman then applauded the county, saying that its board of commissioners is very conscious of risk control and risk management services that are available through CORSA. She added that the board uses an human resources helpline and the various risk management services.

“There is online training also. So if somebody is a new hire, they can use some of our resources for onboarding,” Redman said. “If someone wanted to take a cybersecurity course, they could just take a 10-minute course through CORSA and that will suffice. They can always take something through CORSA.”

She added that CORSA also employees former police officers and retired sheriffs as risk control consultants for law enforcement. Those consultants work with the various counties’ sheriff’s offices. Those consultants will go to a county’s sheriff’s office and look over the policies that are in place, she said.

“We just give suggestions. We do not mandate anything. We just help and try to give some suggestions,” Redman said. “Then they’ll go over what risk control services we have for them.”

She added that CORSA offers decision-based training scenarios that deputies can go through. It also offers a virtual reality setting that it takes out to the sheriff’s offices.

“Belmont County is a great member of CORSA and has been for a long time,” Redman said. “They do a phenomenal job for their community.”

In addition to meeting with CORSA, the board also approved multiple motions. Commissioners voted to hold a town hall meeting at 6 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Martins Ferry Recreation Center. The meeting is open to all residents, and public participation is encouraged.

“We’re happy to take questions,” Commissioner J.P. Dutton said. “We mention to mayors from time to time that we’re happy to come at any point and are always happy to come and kind of touch base.”

Commissioners also approved the purchase of six 2025 Dodge Durangos at a cost of $61,552 each for a total cost of $369,312.00. Dutton said the vehicles will be purchased from Greve Chrysler Jeep Dodge through the state of Ohio cooperative purchasing contract, based upon the recommendation of Belmont County Sheriff James Zusack.

“These are replacement vehicles that will be assigned to the Patrol Division and will be paid for by the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office,” Dutton said.

The commission also approved the renewal of a one-year lease agreement on behalf of the Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services for its Martins Ferry location that is located at 302 Walnut Street. Commissioner Jerry Echemann said the lease agreement will be effective starting Sept. 1 and is in the amount of $27,821 for the year.

“I think It’s good to have our presence there in Martins Ferry,”Echemann said. “A lot of people work there, and it’s just vibrancy for the city.”