By: Rebecca Miller
On Thursday, October 7, 2021, the Fulton County Commissioner held a short session to approve the following:
-Minutes for October 5, 2021; agenda as amended (added a resolution); and Increase and transfer of appropriations for various departments
-Resolution 718 Approve Waiver of ALS Charges
-Resolution 719 Approve amendment #1 to Contract 2020-122 with Stephen Hallett for IV-D Services
-Resolution 720 Approve Contract 2021-94 with Village of Archbold on behalf of the Senior Center – Satellite Center Rental
-Resolution 721 Enter into Contract 2021-95 with Village of Archbold for EMS Services
-Resolution 722 Enter into Contract 2021-96 with Village of Swanton for EMS Services
-Resolution 723 Enter into Contract 2021-97 with York Township for EMS Services
-Resolution 724 Enter into Contract 2021-98 with Wagner Farm Drainage for Ditch Improvement 2141-Myers
-Resolution 725 Approve Contract 2021-99 with VanTassel Construction Corp. on behalf of Board of DD – Office Renovation
-Resolution 726 Authorize Presentation of Duty Weapon to retiring Deputy
-Resolution 727 Approve advertisement for Housekeeping Employment Opportunity
-Resolution 728 Approve Personnel Request on behalf of JFS – New Hire
-Purchase orders and travel requests
-Resolution 730 Establish Date and Time of Public hearing for Zoning District Change Application (submitted by David and Pam Mills) for October 26, 2021 at 9:30 a.m.
They also reviewed the Treasurer to Auditor Balancing Report, amended the Certificate of Estimated Resources, and reviewed a Certificate of Non-compliance. With no further business, the session adjourned.
Tuesday, October 12, 2021, held the regular session at 9:00 a.m., a meeting for an Investment Update, and a meeting with the Honorable Judge Michael Bumb to discuss the Juvenile Detention Center.
During regular session they approved the minutes from October 7, 2021, the agenda as presented, the payment of bills, and the Increase and Transfer of Appropriations for various departments.
The Commissioners reviewed the CDBG Monitoring Report from Ohio Department of Development as well as approving Resolution 735 “The Coordinated Transportation Plan” and the purchase orders and travel requests.
At 9:07 a.m. the Commissioners welcomed CMT Scott Gruber and Treasurer Char Lee for an Investment Update. They were informed that as of September 30, 2021 the Total Portfolio is $71,074,899 with an estimated interest income of $416,921.
Following a recess, the commissioners reconvened at 11:27 to hear from Judge Bumb. His thoughts, from the minutes of this meeting – “Nobody could have predicted the pandemic which affected us hard as far as county rent and costs with additional cleaning.”
“When we opened the center in 2000 we charged $94 a day and now it is only at $101 a day, which is still low. The four Judges met on September 28 to try to figure out ways going forward, but there is such a large financial hole.” Commissioner John Rupp asked what they see in the future?
Bumb answered, “We have gone through COVID and we are committed to the beds we commit to so those dollars really aren’t in flux as far as what we are going to do, it is really the out of county ones.”
When asked if he sees a shift in the way Judges may use this facility, that we might not see them as out of county, Judge Bumb stated that he does not recommend budgeting that because it is impossible to know what other counties are going to do. There is also new programming out there.
Commissioner Joe Short said that they are looking for answers and ideas and it is “important to have the Judges here because they send the kids there and we need to know their thoughts.” He continued that one of the topics brought up and discussed when the four county’s commissioners met recently, was to possibly cut staffing.
He said that he met with Elizabeth Zinn, the Ohio Department of Youth Detention Administrator, and she said that this facility is at the state minimum staffing levels that are needed for the safety of the guards, safety of the “kids” and to be in compliance.
“We want to continue to make sure that the kids are safe and all the programs that we have are being instituted,” Short said. “We know that our wages are low, we start at $15 an hour and most start at $16-$17.50.
All the JDCs in the State of Ohio are having some type of financial difficulties that have developed over the last one and a half years.” The Commissioners thanked the judge for coming in and with no further business, the Tuesday session adjourned at noon.
Rebecca can be reached at rebecca@thevillagereporter.com