(PHOTO BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
COMMISSIONERS ON THE ROAD … Commissioners Terry Rummel, Scott Lirot, and Bart Westfall address the financial issues with the community over breakfast at Four Seasons in Holiday City.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Williams County Commissioners convened for a public meeting on Tuesday, June 10, beginning at 9:00 a.m., at Four Seasons Restaurant in Holiday City.
Titled “Coffee with Commissioners,” the event offered an informal setting for residents to engage with county leaders while allowing the board to address official business.
With all commissioners present, including President Terry Rummell, Scott Lirot, and Bart Westfall, the meeting began as usual.
Under initial matters, the board approved the minutes from the previous meeting held on June 3. The agenda for the current meeting was also approved, with a small amendment added to include an additional resolution.
The payment of bills was moved, and an employee still located at the commissioner’s office proceeded to send the information in place of the board.
The meeting transitioned to the new business segment, with a series of resolutions passed to support county operations.
Supplemental funding was approved for the Williams County Common Pleas Court, Engineer’s Office, Hillside Country Living, Information Technology Department, Prosecutor’s Office, Victims Assistance Fund, and Job and Family Services.
The commissioners noted a large transfer of funds to JFS, around $586,000, to prepare for the upcoming financial struggles the agency is set to face in the coming months.
By October, they are expecting to have a negative cash balance and will need additional funding from the County to continue business as usual.
The board is preparing to spend upwards of $600,000 for the months of October and November for the rising child placement costs.
These financial struggles are not expected to be resolved by the first of the year, and the county is currently searching for other helpful opportunities.
“We have 52 kids in custody,” Rummel began. “I’ll say we were doing a poor job of taking care of children for the last 12 years. They are doing a very aggressive job now and we’re paying the price. I think this will balance itself out.”
“We have 11 kids in a facility that charges $500 a day,” Lirot added. Sunny Side, located in central Ohio, does an exceptional job at taking care of difficult children and getting them the support they need.
Rummel mentioned that they want to personally visit the site and see if they can duplicate the program locally to save on funds.
A resolution advertising a legal notice for sealed bids for depositories of County Funds was approved by Commissioners.
They agreed to enter into a Community Correction Grant Agreement for community-based law enforcement services, for $185,732, expiring June 30, 2027.
An additional grant award agreement between the Supreme Court of Ohio and Williams County Common Pleas Court, General and Domestic Relations Division, was awarded and accepted for the Technology Grant project, totaling $126,253.35.
The term of the agreement is June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026. This is for the purpose of new court software for the county, including the clerk as well. Westfall noted that this grant is close to being paid off.
A final resolution was passed, entering into a Central Ohio Youth Center agreement on behalf of the Williams County Common Pleas Court, Juvenile Division.
COYC is to provide secure correctional treatment for chronic juveniles at a cost not to exceed $250 a day. The term limits include July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
Similar to JRC located in Bowling Green, this facility provides a secure treatment center for difficult juveniles, with a heavy focus on treatment. For example, anger management is a key focal point.
This Family Intervention Court (FIC) has impacted locals of our community and has helped adolescents turn their lives around.
Karen Bleeks, a West Unity resident, was introduced to the board for a potential appointment to the Four County ADAMHS Board.
She explained her long history with the involvement of troubled children and hopes to add valuable insight to the ADAMHS Board.
“As we evolve and grow, the question I always ask,” Rummel began, “why is Williams County such a hot button for kid placement? We have more kids in custody than any other county in the surrounding area. What’s different with Williams County?”
He hopes to understand better in the future. By incorporating updated treatment and facilities, the Commissioners are making strides to address the growing issue.
Ashley Epling of WEDCO attended the meeting to update commissioners on the recent progress of an “educator boot camp.”
By taking local teachers and touring community businesses, such as Spangler, Wieland Chase, and 20/20 Molded Plastics, they hoped to instill more educated values.
The teachers are to present their findings to WEDCO and explain how they can use what they learned to better shape young minds.
The board reminded the public of the upcoming proposed tax levy hearings to be held at the commissioner’s office, on June 24th and June 26th.
An additional Amish buggy tax was mentioned, as Holmes County in Ohio has something similar in place. The buggies themselves do little damage to the road; however, the horse’s metal shoe plates are what cause the most problems.
Rummel took a moment to speak about the proposed tax again. “I think the pushback I’m getting is that it’s a tax – we are raising taxes on our constituents.”
“It’s raising taxes no matter how you look at it, but do you want roads like Michigan or roads like Williams County?”
“It’s our one option,” Engineer Todd Roth explained. “That’s why legislators passed it in 2018, giving us the ability to raise revenue. All of our revenue is defined by legislation.”
“All of that revenue is going to stay in the County,” Lirot added. The money will go directly into the engineer’s general fund, which is used solely for the paving program, equipment updates, and repair maintenance for roads and bridges.
With no further business to attend to, the commissioners adjourned the June 10th meeting at 10:06 a.m.