Madison County Commissioners Approve $860,000 Conservation Ditch Project, Multiple Contracts

LONDON, Ohio — The Madison County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a slate of resolutions and heard updates on a sheriff’s pursuit, a prosecutor’s office renovation and a major drainage project funded through a state conservation program.

Commissioners voted unanimously on resolutions including a seal coating contract for Lafayette Street, purchase of replacement courtroom benches, and multiple budget adjustments for the engineer’s office and emergency services.

The meeting opened with approval of minutes from the previous week.

Sheriff’s Report

Sheriff John Wever reported that a deputy successfully used a PIT maneuver to end a pursuit that began at a large retail store near State Route 42 and Interstate 70. The suspect was taken into custody with minimal damage to the involved vehicle, Wever said.

“Did a good job,” Wever told commissioners. “We were able to get that pursuit into custody and get them processed so prosecutors can handle from here.”

Wever also noted the office needs interim funding to sustain the Emergency Management Agency for a couple of months until grant money arrives, a recurring issue every two to three years. He also mentioned plans to implement an “eyeball notification program” to send out alerts.

Prosecutor’s Office Update

Prosecutor John D. — whose last name was not fully captured in the transcript — updated commissioners on a reconfiguration of office space to create a work and meeting area for victim advocates. Using existing furniture and about $5,000 in new purchases, the office is repurposing space without requesting additional funds.

“We’re hoping to be able to utilize space a little better than we have,” the prosecutor said. A purchase order has already been submitted.

Engineer’s Report: Galworth Conservation Ditch

Engineer’s office representatives presented the Galworth ditch project off Dyer Road near I-71, which will convert a waterway tile to an open ditch. Total cost is approximately $860,000, funded through the H2Ohio program administered by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. The application was submitted Tuesday.

Completion is expected in about two years. Commissioners will need to sign an agreement to encumber funds.

Resolutions Approved

Commissioners approved the following resolutions by unanimous roll call votes:

• Resolution 28926: Payment of invoices for MAS.
• Resolution 29026: Seal coating contract with All Seal Seal Coating LLC for Lafayette Street.
• Resolution 291: Purchase of replacement courtroom benches for Madison County Common Pleas Court.
• Resolution 292: Increase of appropriations and transfer of funds for emergency management performance grant program.
• Resolution 293: Increase of appropriations to the 911 supply line by $2,000 from unappropriated funds.
• Resolution 295: Wire transfer for Madison County Engineers regarding the VAT contract.
• Resolution 296: Budget adjustment for engineers ditch maintenance.
• Resolution 294: Wire transfer for a John Deere excavator.
• Resolution 297: Budget adjustment for engineers office supply lines.
• Resolution 298: Services modification agreement with NUMA for the Madison County Reporters Office.

Lease Agreement and Proclamation

Commissioners also reviewed a lease agreement for the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, signed in April. The contract was revised to remove the Ohio BMV name per state request and is now ready for signature.

A proclamation recognizing June 2026 as Men’s Health Month was adopted unanimously. National Wear Blue Day is scheduled for Friday, June 19.

No public comments were made. The meeting adjourned at 9:10 a.m.

Key moments

Significant Part 1 · 8:09

Galworth conservation ditch discussion

The total cost is around $860,000. It's kind of like the last one. The funds have to be encumbered and paid out and then once the project's done, we get the current money back to be repaid.

Significant Part 1 · 2:58

Sheriff's report on pursuit and EMA funding

We need a little bit of money to help sustain EMA for a couple months grants come in. It's not new. We usually face this about every two to three years.

Public interest

Men's Health Month proclamation

We do hereby recognize June 2026 as Men's Health Month, and encourage all citizens to support efforts that promote healthy lifestyles, preventative healthcare, increased awareness of men's health issues.

Full analysis

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Meeting Analysis

Madison County (OH) Board of Commissioners — 2026-06-02

Meeting Information

Title: Board of Commissioners Meeting 6/2/2026

Parish: Madison County (OH) Board of Commissioners

Date: 2026-06-02

Video: Recording

Transcript segments: 536

Item	Description	Action	Vote Status
Approval of minutes	Motion to approve last week's meeting minutes and dispense with reading.	Approved by roll call vote.	Unanimous (3-0)
Sheriff's report	Sheriff reported a successful pursuit from a large retail store at 42 and 70; deputy used PIT maneuver, minimal damage, suspect in custody. Also mentioned need for funds to sustain EMA for a couple months until grants come in, and implementation of an eyeball notification program.	No formal action taken; informational.	No action
Prosecutor's office furniture update	Prosecutor reported reconfiguring office space to create a work/meeting area for victim advocates, using existing furniture and purchasing about $5,000 in new furniture within budget.	Informational; PO already submitted.	No action
Engineer's report - Galworth conservation ditch	Engineer presented the Galworth ditch project off Dyer Road near I-71, converting a waterway tile to an open ditch. Total cost ~$860,000, funded through H2Ohio program (Department of Agriculture). Application submitted yesterday; completion expected in about two years. Requires commissioner signatures to encumber funds.	Discussion; approval to sign agreement pending.	No action
Resolution 28926 - Payment of invoices for MAS	Resolution approving payment of invoices for MAS.	Approved by roll call vote.	Unanimous (3-0)
Resolution 29026 - Seal coating contract	Resolution approving contract with All Seal Seal Coating LLC for seal coating, crack sealing, and striping on Lafayette Street.	Approved by roll call vote.	Unanimous (3-0)
Resolution 291 - Purchase of courtroom benches	Resolution approving purchase of replacement courtroom benches for Madison County Common Pleas Court.	Approved by roll call vote.	Unanimous (3-0)
Resolution 292 - Emergency management performance grant	Resolution approving increase of appropriations and transfer of funds for emergency management performance grant program.	Approved by roll call vote.	Unanimous (3-0)
Resolution 293 - 911 supply line appropriation	Resolution increasing appropriations to the 911 supply line by $2,000 from unappropriated funds.	Approved by roll call vote.	Unanimous (3-0)
Resolution 295 - Wire transfer for engineers (VAT contract)	Resolution approving a wire transfer for the Madison County Engineers regarding the VAT contract.	Approved by roll call vote.	Unanimous (3-0)
Resolution 296 - Budget adjustment for engineers ditch maintenance	Resolution approving budget adjustment for Madison County Engineers ditch maintenance and removing money.	Approved by roll call vote.	Unanimous (3-0)
Resolution 294 - Wire transfer for John Deere excavator	Resolution approving a wire transfer with the imaging engineers for a John Deere excavator.	Approved by roll call vote.	Unanimous (3-0)
Resolution 297 - Budget adjustment for engineers office supplies	Resolution approving a budget adjustment for the Madison County Engineers for office supply lines.	Approved by roll call vote.	Unanimous (3-0)
Resolution 298 - Services modification agreement with NUMA	Resolution approving a services modification agreement with NUMA for the Madison County Reporters Office.	Approved by roll call vote.	Unanimous (3-0)
Lease agreement for BMV	Lease agreement signed in April for BMV; contract revised to remove Ohio BMV name per state request, now ready for signature.	Ready for signature.	No action
Proclamation for Men's Health Month	Proclamation recognizing June 2026 as Men's Health Month and encouraging support for men's health awareness.	Approved by roll call vote.	Unanimous (3-0)

Resolution 293: $2,000 increase to 911 supply line from unappropriated funds.
Prosecutor's office furniture upgrade ~$5,000 within existing budget.
Galworth conservation ditch project total cost ~$860,000, funded through H2Ohio program (reimbursable).

Public Concerns: none noted.

Contentious Discussions: none noted.

Sheriff's Office

Reported a successful pursuit from a large retail store at 42 and 70; deputy used PIT maneuver, minimal damage, suspect in custody.
Need funds to sustain EMA for a couple months until grants come in.
Plans to implement an eyeball notification program for alerts.

Prosecutor's Office

Reconfiguring office space to create a work/meeting area for victim advocates.
Purchasing about $5,000 in furniture within budget; PO already submitted.

Engineer's Office

Bridge closure on SR 56 impacted by high water; work ongoing.
Galworth conservation ditch project: converting waterway tile to open ditch, total cost ~$860,000, funded through H2Ohio program, application submitted.
Matt Teters' ditch petition: property owners not on board; hearing in two weeks.

Commissioners to sign agreement to encumber funds for Galworth conservation ditch.
Engineer to follow up on Matt Teters' ditch petition; hearing in two weeks.
Lease agreement for BMV to be signed.
Sheriff to implement eyeball notification program once funding secured.