APPROVAL GIVEN … Maumee Valley Planning Organization representative Adam Panas was present to hear the approval of the Edgerton Oak Street bid award, at the Thursday, May 12, 2022 WC Commissioners meeting. Panas also brought with him the Notice of Award for the signature of President Terry Rummel. (PHOTO BY REBECCA MILLER, STAFF)
By: Rebecca Miller
The Monday morning, May 9, 2022 sessions for the Williams County Commissioners began with the commissioners going into an Executive Session in regards to employment and compensation of personnel, with Jeremy Suffel attending. They came out with No action and a little after 10 a.m., went into regular session.
Items approved included:
-Resolution 131 Supplemental Appropriations on behalf of Commissioners’ office and Victim’s Assistance
-Resolution 132 Approving transfer of funds for WC JFS from Public Assistance to Child Support Enforcement Agency
-Resolution 133 Accepting donation of K9 Law Enforcement Dog “Mick” (Commissioner Lew Hilkert mentioned that “the dog was already named Mick when it was offered to the Sheriff’s Department which is kind of interesting.” For those who knew him, this seems a kind twist in memory of Sheriff’s Deputy Mick Frisbee who was a K9 Handler for twelve years in the Williams County Sheriff’s Department.)
-Resolution 134 Approving transfer of fund for WC JFS from Public Assistance to Public children Services Agency
-Resolution 135 Entering into an agreement on behalf of WC Communications Agency for a Subscription order for the Prepared Live Emergency Communications Service for video/photo/text capability, at no cost, effective June 1, 2022 with no ending date
-Resolution 136 Approving painting of WC Community Offices (East Annex) building by C.R. Hunt for cost of $16,292
-Also Signed: Permit for use of county property for Wesley United Methodist Men Annual BBQ Chicken Dinner on June 1; Permit for use of county property for Bryan City Band for City Band Concerts for June 1,8,15,22,29, July 6,13,20, 2022; Memorandum for JFS with recommendation for vehicle purchase; request from Recorder’s Office for allocation of salary to transfer back into her budget as she would like to hire a new person (NO ACTION taken – further discussion to be held); Notification from Defiance Soil and Water Conservation District regarding formation of Joint Board that will need to be created with Defiance County for request for permit project. (Following discussion, it was determined that the commissioners need more clarification on this and will have Engineer Todd Roth weigh in on it.)
-Minutes for May 5, 2022 and payment of bills
With no further business, they adjourned from regular business for the day, except for hosting three more groups of government students from Bryan High School.
On Thursday, May 12, they began their day with an Executive Session again, this time for employment, with WC Recorder Patti Rockey present.
After coming out of Executive Session with no action, Commissioner Brian Davis stated, “We do want to mention with regards to the Executive Session, it deals with employment in the Recorder’s Office and we told Mrs. Rockey, we want Mrs. Rockey to know that we support her need. She is short staffed, has been for some time.”
“The Board would be willing to fund additional employment at such time as she makes the hire. So, I just want to make sure she knows that.”
Following a short recess, the commissioners went into regular session with MVPO representative Adam Panas present to hear the passage of a resolution involving a project. Items approved that day included:
-Resolution 137 Supplemental appropriations on behalf of Board of DD, Common Pleas Court, Department of Aging and Hillside
-Resolution 138 Awarding bid in regards to Oak Street Sidewalk Village of Edgerton to Ward Construction with a bid of $91,862.10

-Resolution 139 Approving Expenditure of public funds
-Resolution 140 Accepting Resignation of Kirsten Reid for Cleaning Service for engineer’s office, effective April 26, 2022
-Resolution 141 Approving funding award on behalf of Department of Aging
-Resolution 142 Amending Resolution 22-0134 approving transfer of funds on behalf of JFS
-Resolution 143 Expedited Type II Annexation #1-2022 Annexation to the Village of West Unity Pursuant to ORC 709.023 Petitioner Katherine Rakes, Solicitor for Village of West Unity; hearing date for this annexation is scheduled for Monday, June 13, 2022 at 10 a.m. in the Commissioners Hearing Room
-Also Signed: Williams Soil and Water Conservation District letter asking for Levy Renewal of .4 mils on the November 8, 2022 ballot; Dog Warden report for week of May 5-8, 2022; Letter from Vickie Grimm regarding Adjustments to expenses paid from ARP fund (follow up from session May 9, 2022); Veteran Services Commissioner budget for 2023 submitted per ORC; Quote from Hill Asphalt regarding re-doing parking lot at East Annex; Permit for use of County Property from Dan Yahraus, Bryan Chamber, for Spring Fling on May 21, 2022; Permit for use of County Property from WC Veterans Services for cookout on May 27, 2022 at East Annex; Permits for use of County Property from Dan Yahraus, Bryan Chamber for Decorating Blitz on November 13, 2022, and for Christmas Decorating/Santa Parade on November 25, 2022
-Minutes for May 9, 2022 and payment of bills
With no further business, they went into recess until 9:30 when they reconvened and went into Executive Session in regards to employment, with Prosecutor Katie Zartman present. Coming out of Executive session with no action, Clerk Anne Retcher alerted commissioners of one last piece of legislation for the day.
President Terry Rummel signed a Notice of Award for the Village of Edgerton Oak Street Sidewalks Improvement Projects, with notice of award to Ward Construction.

A short Executive Session was held to discuss possible purchase or sale of property, with no action taken. With no further business, the meeting adjourned.
Rebecca can be reached at rebecca@thevillagereporter.com