Next-Door Bank Building Essentially Free, but Might Not be Worth Renovating
Ross County — In their last session of the year, I asked the Commissioners to summarize 2024. Dwight Garrett spoke up, and addressed the end of his eight years in the office.
The commissioners also passed their budget for 2025 on December 30th, 2024. Garrett said it was balanced at about $36M. It will rise a little because of revisions for cost of living and other factors, which should happen early in the new year. Last year’s budget was about $35M.
Garrett said 2024 was a lot of work on a lot of different projects. Big issues were: planning renovation of the outside of the Courthouse and Old Jail, planning a county sewer line extension from the state sewer facility up State Route 104 to the airport, working towards new management of the Ross County Airport, and finally taking possession of the Citizens National Bank building after LCNB Bank moved to a new building.
Garrett said the commissioners hope to have answers by summer on whether the bank building is even worth renovating, and to complete the sewer line and Courthouse / Old Jail renovation in 2025. Further work on the Ross County Jail is also being planned.
He said LCNB Bank sold their property beside the Old Jail to the county seven years ago, and in a previous discussion on Monday, the commissioners said the rent from the bank pretty much paid off the purchase price and made the building free to the county. After the bank moved out, in the fall the commissioners started considerations to move all but court functions out of the courthouse into the bank building.
But, they said the 1959 building has been “Band-Aided” for the last 20 years, and the cost of renovation for accessibility and code may be prohibitive – it might be cheaper to demolish and build new. The commissioners hope to get an expert opinion and make decisions maybe in July / August.
Commissioner Dwight Garrett declined to run for re-election in the fall, and will be succeeded by David Glass, maintaining Republican control of all three seats.
Garrett chose to retire after eight years, and said he was fortunate to work in Ross County as a commissioner. He said it is a great place, he loves Ross, has worked with great people, and has helped do a lot of county projects that he is proud of.
After working for 36 years in Unioto Schools, in part as superintendent, I asked him if this was the end of public service – but he said he now works for the Ohio Department of Education.
He added that he is shaving today…both the beard he has grown recently, and the mustache he has had for years.
You can find my stories on the Ross County Commissioners by clicking on the magnifying lens icon and searching the Scioto Post website.
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