County Commissioners have big plans for the future of the old 17th Street Armory. They announced plans to apply for a $180,000 in Community Block Development Grant funds to pay for improvements.
The building currently houses the 17th Street Learning Center which provides GED classes and other assistance. During the COVID-19 crisis, the building also served as an auxiliary homeless shelter.
Commissioner Bryan Davis praised their efforts to help people obtain GEDs, “Education is key to help people come out of poverty.”
The money would be spent on roof repair, painting, and new windows. Additionally, the building would add a commercial kitchen to make it easier to feed the homeless. There are also plans to add a showering facility for the homeless. “Cleanliness is next to godliness,” Davis said.
Also on the list to receive $54,000 in federal grant money is the SSU Golden Bears program. The program provides on-campus health and wellness, performing arts, and social opportunities for Scioto County residents over the age of 60.
The money is not guaranteed, this is just an announcement that they intend to apply.
Smallest Indigent Defense Payment In Memory
Scioto County paid its lowest indigent defense bill in any of the commissioners’ memories. The not-allowed portion of the bill, just $693 from $53,694 submitted. During that report, Commissioners said 85% of the approved costs were reimbursed.
The indigent defense bill was down a little bit recently due to COVID-19. Fewer arrests and postponed court dates helped lower the costs.
Bryan Davis said he doesn’t expect that to last.”Will there be a spike? Yeah, there will be, by the amount of grand jury indictments I’ve seen. Our jail population is like 141.”
Commissioner Mike Crabtree said he was pleased with the state’s efforts to reimburse the county but pointed out, “We still have to pay what is disallowed.”
Concerned About Cuts
Commissioner Davis is still concerned about the impact of state cuts on the vulnerable. “I am very concerned about potential cuts to CPS. I do not believe that education and Child Protective Services should be targeted for cuts. We don’t even know what the ramifications are from the cuts to Jobs and Family services, we don’t know what the results of that will be. Some of the stories that have been coming out recently are very, very discouraging. We cannot afford to cut back on Children Services caseworkers or investigators.”