By: Renea Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
renea@thevillagereporter.com
The Fulton County Commissioners met on the morning of July 24, 2025, at their session room in downtown Wauseon, where they worked through a packed agenda that touched on everything from grant funding and health initiatives to employee insurance costs and an upcoming ballot measure.
The meeting opened with the usual formalities, a roll call, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a prayer, before quickly moving into official business. The board approved the minutes from their previous meeting on July 22 and accepted the day’s agenda as presented.
One of the first major topics discussed was a series of budget adjustments related to the start of a new grant year. The commissioners approved a decrease in appropriations for the outgoing Pretrial Grant fund and corresponding increases for the new one.
Annie Hernandez, the county’s Director of Fiscal Operations, provided the figures, which indicated nearly $26,250 in expected revenue for the updated fund.
These adjustments are common when switching between grant cycles but are essential for keeping operations running smoothly.
Next, the commissioners turned their attention to the Lead Safe Ohio Program. Resolution 2025-490 approved a $27,000 draw request to reimburse work already completed at a home on County Road A in Liberty Center.
That project, coordinated by the Maumee Valley Planning Organization and carried out by Midwest Tunez LLC, included lead-safe renovations funded through the state program.
The approval ensures continued progress in keeping homes safe from lead exposure, especially in older structures.
As part of their ongoing responsibilities, the board also approved standard purchase orders and travel requests from county departments.
The most significant decision of the day came with the unanimous approval of a resolution to place a public health levy on the November ballot.
If passed by voters, the replacement levy would continue funding for the Fulton County Board of Health for another ten years.
It would cost property owners about $18 per $100,000 of appraised value and is expected to bring in roughly $745,000 annually. Commissioners emphasized that without this funding, essential health programs and services could be put at risk.
The ballot language was finalized and will now head to the Board of Elections for inclusion in the fall vote.
To support the resolution, commissioners reviewed a property tax revenue certificate from the county auditor showing current valuations and the expected financial impact of the proposed levy. If approved, collections would begin in 2027.
Later in the meeting, Melissa Bodey from the County Employee Benefits Consortium of Ohio (CEBCO) gave a detailed update on Fulton County’s health insurance claims.
The numbers showed Fulton County in a relatively strong position, with a medical loss ratio of 85.2 percent, meaning the county spent less on medical claims than expected compared to the CEBCO average of 106.6 percent. Three high-cost claims exceeded $100,000, but overall, the county’s healthcare spending remained under control.
Dental and vision claims were slightly higher than average, and prescription drug costs continued to rise.
Fulton County employees filled over 6,500 prescriptions in the past year, totaling nearly $1 million. The most expensive medications included Ozempic, Zeposia, Mayzent, Enbrel Sureclick, and Humira, many of which treat diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and neurological conditions.
One positive note is that 99.1 percent of all medical claims were in-network, saving the county over $4 million through negotiated discounts.
Additionally, potentially avoidable emergency room visits decreased compared to the previous reporting period, which could indicate more efficient use of urgent care or primary care options. The meeting then concluded with a brief discussion on the Ritter Station Project.