THIEVERY … The park board provides their 2025 update on the Williams County Parks and discusses the recent logging thieves in Opdycke Park.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Williams County Board of Commissioners held its regular meeting on November 25, 2025, addressing a full slate of financial approvals, departmental contracts, and ongoing community matters.
The session opened with the approval of minutes from the November 20, 2025, meeting, along with the payment of bills. Commissioner Vice President Scott Lirot and Bart Westfall were in attendance.
The agenda was amended to include a letter of support regarding the Brownfield Application from the Maumee Valley Planning Organization (MVPO). The Williams County Land Reutilization Corporation has grant applications submitted for the Cogswell Body Shop, Kunkle School, and Prasco locations.
Supplemental transfer appropriations were approved for the Williams County Auditor, Engineer’s Office, Hillside Country Living, Job and Family Services (JFS), Sheriff’s Office, and the Treasurer’s Office.
Several addendas were approved for JFS agreements as follows:
-Adriel School, Inc. for supervised visitation services at a cost not to exceed $20,000.
-Speak Write, LLC for transcription services at a cost not to exceed $25,000.
-Shalom Counseling & Mediation Center for supervised visitations and parenting education classes at a cost not to exceed $60,000.
All contracts were additionally renewed through the 2026 year. A permit for work within county and township right-of-way limits for Toledo Edison.
A series of discussion items were held by the Commissioners next. The Department of Aging’s lease renewal was revisited, and Commissioners questioned the necessity of “renting from themselves.” With a total of $18,000 per year, excluding the 3% annual increase, the Board voted to keep the rental the same as tradition.
Emails were reviewed regarding the lost dog of Bryan, Lilly, and the Williams County Dog Warden. A letter regarding potentially closing the Pioneer Senior Center was also seen, but no discussion was held.
At 9:00 a.m., the commissioners entered an executive session to discuss security matters with Jermey Suffel of the IT Department.
They returned at 9:29 a.m. with action and approved a resolution adopting a new comprehensive cyber security policy. It establishes protocols for incident response and, if necessary, a public vote before any ransom payment.
The board then heard an update from the State Treasurer’s Office representative Pat McCauley. He provided a detailed report on policies and programs the state of Ohio provides to Williams County residents, keeping the Commissioners up-to-date on new releases.
At 10:00 a.m., OSU Extension provided updates on FCS and SNAP-ED programs. Among the topics explored were estate planning for non-titled property, aging-well initiatives, mental health focused family history programs, and much more.
At 10:30 a.m., County Engineer Todd Roth was joined by the Park Board to discuss updates and potential budget predictions. Roth provided a project list that included work on
George Bible Park, Opdycke Park Barn, Goldie Newman, the Wabash Cannonball Trail, and the Park Office building. He detailed general maintenance and improvements to the building.
The park board then addressed a recent property theft from the Opdycke Park. Several walnut trees have been cut down without county permission, with the most recent suspected to occur at the end of August or beginning of September.
“So, they stole it?” questions Westfall. “They dropped the tree, cut the top off, and took it,” affirms Roth.
With estimated costs to be around $10,000 to $12,000, the loss is not small. The loss for the previous trees was thought to be as high as $25,000.
The park board is investigating putting tree spikes to hinder further logging attempts. Considered a theft from the county, the park board is pursuing answers to their investigations on the thieves.