By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Williams County Board of Commissioners met for its regular session on Tuesday, July 1, at 9:00 a.m. With President Terry Rummel absent, Vice President Scott Lirot and Bart Westfall led the meeting.
The agenda was largely procedural, focusing on the approval of resolutions, appropriations, and agreements to support county operations across multiple departments.
The meeting opened with the standard call to order, Pledge of Allegiance, and roll call. This was followed by the approval of minutes for the previous June 26 session and the current day’s agenda. A small amendment was moved by Deputy Clerk Robin Kemp, asking for a session with Williams County Engineer, Todd Roth, at 10:00 a.m.
Under new business, the board approved supplemental appropriations for the Williams County Elections Office, the Common Pleas Court, the Department of Aging, the Engineer’s Office, Job and Family Services, the Sheriff’s Office, and the Title Department.
Resolution 23-0301 was passed, approving pre-awarded conditions related to the VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) grant.
An agreement securing 2025 material testing and inspection services was passed for Alvordton and Hickory Hills. These are services put in place to ensure safety during the progress of the project.
The commissioners also approved to amend an exhibit in the County Corrections Grant Agreement. This was requested by the State, as specific wording was off in the original resolution.
A Drainage Collection work session was scheduled for July 15, with an official first meeting on July 22 at the Commissioner’s Office. This is a proposed maintenance collection, in the first stage of progress.
At 9:30 a.m., the board entered executive session, under the Ohio Revised Code, to discuss confidential insurance matters. This included a first-quarter report from Melissa Bodey of CEBCO and representatives from First Insurance.
The 10:00 a.m. a requested meeting from Todd Roth, Engineer, involved a preliminary discussion regarding the sewer collection of campers in Williams County.
It has been brought to Roth’s attention, through multiple concerned complaints, that some camper users in the area have not been properly paying for sewer usage while being connected to the lines. Some residents have noted improper dumping on campgrounds, trailer parks, and the like.
“They’re using our county sewers. What are we going to charge them for usage?” questioned Westfall.
The way forward concerning this issue remains unclear, but Commissioners agreed to plan a meeting with the involved departments in the future.
This could include the Williams County Planning Commission, the Health Department, the Township Trustees, or the municipalities. At this time, it is unclear who specifically can legally deal with this issue, as some of the reported locations remain unzoned.
The next regular session of the Williams County Commissioners will resume following the holiday closures on July 3 and 4.