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STEUBENVILLE -- Jefferson County commissioners on Thursday discussed the Head Start program and the chances of the contract returning to the county.
The county Community Action Council lost the $2 million Head Start contract in 2014 to Columbiana County CAC.
Mike McGlumphy, Jefferson County CAC chief executive officer, said the agency employed 150 people when the county had the Head Start contract. The number fell to 43 after the contract ended.
McGlumphy, who was not the head of the agency at the time, said workers were employed as bus drivers, teachers and maintenance and administrative workers. He said all the Head Start workers were laid off when the contract ended. Columbiana County CAC hired some of the Jefferson County workers.
The Columbiana County contract with the federal government ends in 2019. He said it will be renewed unless complaints are filed by parents about the program.
County Commissioner Thomas Graham said Jefferson County knows the needs of its residents. He said Head Start has tremendous benefits, and families who take advantage of the program have children who do better throughout their school years.
County Commissioner David Maple said the loss of the Head Start contract was significant to the county.
Commissioners agreed to advertise for bids on behalf of the county engineer's department for painting of center lines on 186 miles of county roads. The estimate is $85,600.
Commissioners also agreed to advertise for bids for slip repairs on county Roads 19 and 54. The engineer's estimate is $78,261.
Commissioners received the July report for the animal shelter.
A total of 63 dogs were brought into the shelter, with 20 dogs being reclaimed. There were no dogs euthanized. There were four county humane case. Sixty dogs were adopted.
The commissioners approved $30,241 in attorney fees for August for indigent criminal defendants.
Commissioners approved extending the engineering services contract for Arcadis another two years. Arcadis provides engineering services to the county water and sewer department.
Commissioners approved a proclamation congratulating Calvin S. Jackson of state Route 213, Steubenville, a member of Boy Scout Troop 3 of Steubenville, for receiving his Eagle Scout rank.