Commissioners quickly create funds to accept AEP tornado-siren grant and health department injury-prevention grant

Summary

Delaware County created fund lines and suspended rules Nov. 17 to accept a $50,000 AEP grant for an Oakville-area tornado siren (siren estimated at $34,747) and to create a $10,000 fund for a Health Department injury-prevention grant for swimming and water-safety classes; both were adopted to allow the state and grantors to complete contract setup.

Delaware County commissioners moved swiftly Nov. 17 to create funds and suspend rules so two awarded grants could be accepted and deposited.

Emergency Management Director John Coutinho said the county was awarded a $50,000 grant from AEP to purchase and install a tornado siren in the Oakville area; he estimated the siren plus installation at $34,747 and asked staff to create a fund so the check received Nov. 5 could be deposited and the project located with county staff and the township trustee. Commissioners suspended rules and adopted the ordinance to create the fund so the grantor could complete its bookkeeping.

Health Department Administrator Jamie Bain reported the county had been awarded a $10,000 injury-prevention grant to support swimming lessons and water-safety classes. Bain asked for a fund number so the state could finalize contract setup; commissioners agreed to introduce, suspend rules and adopt Ordinance 2025-34 creating the fund and allowing the county to accept the award.

Both measures were adopted by roll call during the meeting to expedite fund setup and allow project planning to proceed.