JUNETEENTH DISCUSSION … The Monday morning, June 21, 2021 Williams County Commissioners meeting began, with the three commissioners and all elected officials who chose to attend the session, discussing the repercussions of the sudden announcement of a new holiday, called Juneteenth. On the left facing the Commissioners are County Engineer Todd Roth who was speaking at the moment, County Auditor Vicki Grimm, County Recorder Patti Rockey, Judge Karen Gallagher, County Treasurer Kellie Gray and Judge JT Stelzer. The commissioners, back to front are Lew Hilkert, Terri Rummel and Brian Davis.
By: Rebecca Miller
Williams County Commissioners sent an invitation to all WC elected officials inviting them to a session to discuss the newest Federal Holiday, Juneteenth. As it was announced to the country in a sudden manner, each county had to determine how to handle it for 2021.
The Williams County Commissioners chose to not close down the county offices and courthouse that suddenly so wanted to determine how it should be handled.
Present for the meeting, held on Monday morning, June 21, 2021, were Judges Stelzer and Gallagher, Engineer Todd Roth, County Auditor Vicki Grimm, County Recorder Patti Rockey and County Treasurer Kellie Gray.
Commissioner Brian Davis opened the floor for discussion, saying that since it has obviously not yet been put in the Revised Code list of Holidays, he assumed they would observe it in 2022, but wanted to discuss whether or not they should do anything for this calendar year.
Roth shared that he told his office that they were not going to try to fit it in this year but when the holiday schedule adds it, they will honor and celebrate that day, adding that he felt the government waited too late to announce it.
Judge Gallagher pointed out the possibility that when the Governor approves and recommends a holiday by statute, it is automatically added to the Revised Code.
She recommended that they have the prosecutor check into that. She thanked the commissioners for not shutting down on that Friday as the offices have a lot of work that gets done on Fridays.
During the discussion the consensus was that it was done on too short notice and would have made things very hard on all of the offices.
Rockey questioned whether they might need to “give it as a floating holiday or something, because the way I heard, state employees are being paid holiday pay, but still had to come in.”
The Commissioners were under the impression that the legislature still has to work on it and put through, so it is “to be determined” concerning money. Davis recommended checking with County Prosecutor Katie Zartman and then reconvene for more conversation.
Hilkert shared that the County Commissioners Association of Ohio is still working through it, along with consultants Clemans Nelson.
Further discussion brought out the thoughts that there will probably be changes to the Holiday and it will then be put officially in the Holiday List.
Judge Gallagher said she is concerned that they need to be cautious as “it is a holiday now for Ohio and it has meaning that we all need to acknowledge and I guess I plan accordingly.”
“I don’t know if just putting it off until 2022 is the right answer.” She pointed out that some counties did shut down on Friday without notice.
Commissioner Rummel picked up on the comment about the importance of the meaning behind Juneteenth and agreed, “It is a very important event that happened,” but he still felt that it could be recognized in 2022 and let 2021 go.
The discussion on Juneteenth ended with Commissioner Davis saying, “Let’s refer this to Katie (County Prosecutor) and ask her for her opinion and see what the state is doing and, like I said, if we need to reconvene and have conversation we can do so. I don’t know what else is prudent.”
While the other elected officials were present, the group spoke about Jubilee which was held the weekend before. There were some concerns about the parking and the need to address the traffic flow in the future as there were no handicap parking spots open this year.
It was agreed that as “it is in violation of ADA because people do not have access…so that reason alone becomes problematic.”
Another topic mentioned concerned some county employees tripping, some falling, over a cord that had been placed for Jubilee by the Chamber of Commerce.
Rockey said, “I don’t feel like my Workers Comp line should be affected for the next six or five years because of that. I think that is something that should go on the Chamber, and that they should have to deal with it.”
She clarified that it was not her employee who fell, but two did trip. Davis pointed out that “if you are hurt on the courthouse property, the county is not liable,” but since it was county employees that tripped and fell, they need to find out if it “becomes a Workman’s Comp claim against the county’s insurance because they were at work?”
He also said that he thinks that “the Chamber would have some involvement because they are the holder of the event.” Rummel state that he thinks it “would go back on the insurance company for the Chamber.”
Judge Stelzer said, “It is a coverage issue, so there can be two separate coverages and then they will fight over who pays.”
At that point, Judge Gallagher stated, “I suggest to continue to be good neighbors, that we have a conversation with the director as well concerning the options, because there are a lot of options that could come up.”
This was said in connection to Jubilee and the parking issues as well as the equipment. Commissioner Hilkert said that prior to 2019 the Chamber director always reviewed the plans for Jubilee with the commissioners.
Davis ended the discussion with the comment, “We will find out and we will circulate what we receive so you can have it as well.”
Following a short recess, the Commissioners went into their Regular session, voting to approve:
-Resolution 233 Supplemental Appropriations on behalf of the WC Engineer
-Also signed – Courthouse Permit from Sarah’s Friends and Community for Suicide Chalking Event on September 8, 2021 for All Day; Courthouse Permit from WC Sharks for Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Ohio Special Olympics on June 26, 2021 @ 4 p.m.; Hauling permit #21-039; Mastermind Service Agreement (as the original was misplaced.)
-Minutes for June 17, 2021 and payment of bills
At 9:30 that morning the Commissioners met in Executive Session with Director of JFS, Fred Lord, to review negotiations.
They came out with action, being a motion that they authorize Fred Lord, Director of JFS, to enter into a tentative agreement with the Union at JFS effective at the beginning of the first full pay period following July 1, 2021, his employees shall receive a 3% increase.
With no further business for the June 21, 2021 sessions, the meeting adjourned.
Rebecca can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com
