NEW COORDINATOR … Zach Mershdorf is promoted to the new emergency coordinator position within the Williams County Emergency Management Agency.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Williams County Commissioners convened for their regular meeting on August 14, 2025, in the Commissioners’ Session Room. The meeting opened at 8:00 a.m., with the Pledge of Allegiance and a roll call. Commissioner President Terry Rummel, Scott Lirot, and Bart Westfall were in attendance.
At 8:00 a.m., an executive session was requested by Lirot for the purpose of discussing employment with Pam Goll and Darrell Moore. No action was taken at this time.
After returning to regular session at 9:00 a.m., the commissioners approved the minutes from the August 12, 2025, meeting and the agenda presented.
Rummel requested an amendment to include an additional executive session for a compensation request regarding the Juvenile and Probate divisions court.
The payment of bills was approved; however, a supplemental transfer for the Juvenile and Probate Court was tabled for further review.
New business included the Maumee Valley Planning Organization (MVPO) Subordination Request for participation in the CHIP Program back in 2021.
A letter was sent to the Williams County Law Library Association regarding the Auditor’s office space. Credit card appropriations on behalf of the Prosecutor’s Office were passed for the month of August.
A permit was requested for the Courthouse Square in Bryan for the use of the annual Christkindl Market of Bryan — the German Christmas Market. Scheduled for four weeks before Christmas, the market will take place from November 28, 2025, to December 20, 2025.
The commissioners moved on to review the Hillside Country Living Financial letter. Originally requested by the auditor, the office requested that the board address how the nursing home has been running on a negative cash balance.
Rummel noted that as of the date of the meeting, they have taken strides to correct the balance, and it sits at a positive $72,000.
“When there’s a negative balance, there has to be a letter on file from the commissioners that’ll state that we will cover them through the end of the month,” Rummel explains. “When Hillside is upside down, we will cover them. That will let the bills flow on time.”
He went on to describe a letter requesting funds on an “as-needed” basis, much like a recent contract signed for Job and Family Services. Hillside has requested a front for $150,000.
The auditor cannot legally pay Hillside unless there is some backing requirement already in place from the County. Rummel noted that this is not a transfer of funds but will only be used if the nursing home needs it to continue day-to-day affairs.
Rummel then motioned to move into the previously requested executive session to discuss a transfer requested by Judge Gallagher. Afterwards, in regular session, it was noted that the Common Pleas Court had requested the county to supply a full-time magistrate.
“I see that they already have funding in a magistrate line for $48,000, along with an additional line of $75,000 in another line,” Rummel stated. The resolution transfer did not receive a motion to pass.
At 9:30 a.m., a quarterly update was held with the Williams County EMA/911 department with Heather Mercer.
Mercer reported that several new hires had been accepted. Zach Merschdorf was promoted to the new emergency coordinator position after previously being the training coordinator and quality assurance lead.
A winter conference is scheduled for December 3 and 5, 2025. A future 911 Board meeting is to be organized. Mercer will also be meeting with Medic 7 and the Pioneer First Responders to discuss them joining the county payroll.
A phone system upgrade will be looked into due to their current contract with Callworks discontinuing in November 2026. A combined quote with the City of Bryan Police Department is currently being investigated.
The EMS reviewed a technical audit they are in the midst of going through. They submitted it in May 2025, with results only coming back this month. Merschdorf stated mainly verbiage wording issues, and updated compliance with new State law changes in the ORC were flagged.
At 10:00 a.m., an IT Quarterly Update with Jeremy Suffel was held. With the recent passing of House Bill 96, Suffel reported that they have to adhere to the mandates within 90 days. “We are sitting pretty good on these mandates, but there’s a few things we need to implement,” he affirmed.
By tightening cybersecurity, he is continuing to help the other county departments with their IT updates. “We’ve had a lot of issues with our VPN with our external agencies and Sheriff’s Office,” Suffel continued.
“What we have discovered is that Verizon service continues to decline in Williams County.” The IT department is exploring other options for service for the Sheriff Department and police forces, as all issues they are having are related to a lack of service.
“Cell service has declined so rapidly that this is one of the excusable expenses for the county. We knew it was getting bad,” Rummel said. New programs and options are being looked into.
Lastly, at 10:30 a.m., a maintenance update was held. The courthouse elevator was now functioning again and talks of the replacement of several HVAC systems were discussed. Rummel thanked them for “knocking out small jobs.”
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:31 a.m.