(PHOTO BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
HOUSING DISCUSSION … Darby Hildebrandt (left) of Catholic Charities and Jennifer Martin (right) discuss their plans to support the Williams County housing crisis with the commissioners.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Williams County Commissioners convened their regular session at 9:12am on May 1st, in the Commissioners’ Session Room. The meeting included approvals, departmental updates, and presentations on county insurance and community service.
The meeting opened with standard formalities, including the Pledge of Allegiance, and a roll call. All members were present except President Terry Rummel. The commissioners passed multiple resolutions:
-Resolution 25-0198 (Approval of the agenda)
-Resolution 25-0199 (Payment of county bills)
-Resolution 25-0200 (Appropriations across various departments)
-Resolution 25-0201 (A subgrant agreement with ODJFS, Medicaid, and Children and Youth
-Resolution 25-0202 (ODOT salt bids awarded, added to agenda)
Additional items brought forward included a request from MVPO for reimbursement tied to the FY22 Montpelier storm sewer project, a weekly update from the Dog Warden for April 21st – 27th, and a reimbursement for the Alvordton project from OWDA.
The commissioners also revisited a report that Lew Hilkert dropped off from the Area Office on Aging concerning their “Living Better & Longer” program, which had been postponed from last meeting.
Russ Davies of CORSA presented a review of the county’s annual insurance renewal. Williams County continues to be insured through CORSA, a program that currently covers 73 counties in Ohio.
Despite what Davies describes as a difficult insurance market, the county successfully renewed its policy. He noted several key trends, including a 7-8% increase in property values due to inflation. He also describes a 9.4% net premium change from the previous year.
CORSA returned $2.4 million to its members this cycle, with Williams County receiving a $31,000 credit. The county has maintained membership with the insurance company since 1997, making it eligible for additional loyalty-based benefits.
Davies also highlighted updates to cyber recovery protocols and reimbursement structure for a multiple of things, including our law enforcement agencies. Claim rates in the last three years have been very low!
Following, Jennifer Martin and Darby Hildebrandt provided an update on local efforts through Storehouse for Hope and Catholic Charities. Martin reports receiving about 40 phone calls per month, with 7-10% of that being means related to housing.
A major concern raised during the presentation was the severe lack of affordable housing within the county. They noted that approximately 10.7% of residents, or about 4,000 individuals, live at or below the poverty level of Williams County, with most earning less than $30,000 per year.
In response to this need, Storehouse for Hope is spearheading a potential $4.2 million housing project that will provide 12 to 15 units geared towards those in need.
This project, registered officially on May 22nd, 2023, is being overseen by a dedicated Board of Directors. In 2024 alone, the organization assisted $17,000 with funds.
Also discussed was the Catholic Charities involvement, who work closely with Storehouse for Hope. Crisis Navigator, Darby Hildebrandt, launched this program on April 9th 2024.
Located in St. Patrick Parish, the project provides on the ground support for individuals and families in financial crisis. The presentation underscored the vulnerability of the general public, citing that 67% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck.
Martin and Hildebrant came to the commissioners meeting, not to ask for supplemental funding or grants, but instead to spread awareness to this ever growing issue and call others to action.
The meeting concluded and was adjourned at 10:53am.