NEW TERM … Sean Rupp is sworn into his third term serving the Williams County Port Authority Board.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Williams County Commissioners met on Thursday, December 18, 2025, to pass the annual appropriation budget for the 2026 year.
General fund spending appropriations for 2026 were set at $19,165,083.78, matching the current year’s appropriation level. For comparison, actual General Fund expenditures for 2025 were forecasted at $18,808,599.98. This reflects 96.06% of the year’s appropriated budget.
The county also reported an expected General Fund carryover balance of approximately $10,000,000 heading into 2026.
County Administrator Vond Hall stated that “the board has worked hard to balance this budget within current revenue.
However, given no foreseeable increase in revenue and certain expenses, such as employee health insurance and the cost of jail bed space outpacing the rate of inflation, more work needs to be done on this and future budgets.”
He continued by emphasizing the county’s commitment to work with its elected officials and department heads to find “new and creative ways to reduce costs without decreasing the quality of services to the citizens.”
According to the official Commissioner’s Press Release, their revenue primarily consists of general property taxes, local sales tax, license and permit fees, and additional funds received from the State for educational purposes.
In addition to the General Fund, total appropriations for all county funds for fiscal year 2026, including special revenue, debt service, and capital funds, were approved in the amount of $74,130,906.15.
Following roll call, Commissioner President Terry Rummel, Scott Lirot, and Bart Westfall were in attendance. The agenda was approved as presented, along with the minutes from the December 11, 2025, session.
Supplemental transfer appropriations were approved for the Williams County Communications Department.
On December 16, 2025, the commissioners approved a resolution that changed their health insurance agent and broker from First Insurance to Andres O’Neil & Lowe. Administrator Hall was given permission to sign documents regarding the switch.
The Williams County Common Clerk of Courts submitted a merchant application and agreement with Bridge Payment. This was accepted for the purpose of credit card processing at no cost, with a term of month-to-month.
Forty-two permits to work within county or township road right-of-way limits were approved on behalf of Charter Communications and Frontier.
An executive session was entered at 9:34 a.m. for collective bargaining matters, requested by Pat Hire and Williams County Sheriff Thomas Kochert. They returned at 10:51 a.m. with no action.
Sean Rupp joined the commissioners to be reappointed and sworn in for his third term with the Williams County Port Authority.
A series of resolutions were approved on behalf of Job and Family Services (JFS) as follows:
-An agreement with Todd B. Guelde of Guelde Law, LLC for Title IV-D attorney services for the Child Support Enforcement Agency.
-An agreement with The Village Network for Title IV-E Agencies and Providers for the Provision of Child Placement.
-An agreement with Safehouse Ministries Group Home for Title IV-E Agencies and Providers for the Provision of Child Placement.
-An agreement with Adriel School, Inc. for Title IV-E Agencies and Providers for the Provision of Child Placement.
-An agreement with Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth of Ohio, Inc. (SAFY) for Title IV-E Agencies and Providers for the Provision of Child Placement.
Rummel provided an update on Montpelier Solar. He stated that the $750,000 check had officially hit their book.
“We are still expected to be paid $60,000 into the Parks System – as a donation to our parks as part of their contract with the commissioners.”
With no further business, the Commissioners adjourned their final meeting of the year at 10:59 a.m.
n