COMMISSIONERS RUMMEL AND DAVIS … During the November 29, 2021 meeting while Commissioner Lew Hilkert was not present, Assistant Clerk Robin Kemp was sharing the resolutions for passage. The two commissioners had a heated argument during the December 2, 2021 General Session. (PHOTO BY REBECCA MILLER, STAFF)
By: Rebecca Miller
The November 29, 2021 session of the Williams County Commissioners lasted all of four minutes with the Commissioners giving their approval to:
-Resolution 369 Supplemental Appropriations on behalf of Auditor, Adult Probation, Common Pleas Court, Engineer, Hillside, and Juvenile Court
-Resolution 370 Addendum to Bi-annual PSI Grant FY 2022/23
-Payment of bills as submitted by the auditor
They also signed the Dog Warden Report for the week of November 15-22, 2021.
Approvals given at the Thursday, December 2, 2021 meeting included:
-Resolution 371 Supplemental Appropriations
-Resolution 372 Entering into a Mutual Aid Agreement on behalf of Williams County EMS
-Resolution 373 Entering into an Agreement on behalf of WC Sheriff’s Office
-Resolution 374 Entering into an Agreement for Technical Assistance on behalf of Maumee Valley Planning Organization
-Resolution 375 Entering into an Agreement on behalf of WC Job and Family Services
-Resolution 376 Approving Prevention, Retention & Contingency Plan on behalf of WC JFS
-Payment of bills
They also signed the Dog Warden Report for the week of November 22-28, 2021; Vehicle Purchase paperwork from Bryan Ford Lincoln Mercury for Engineer’s Office; ARPA Request from Henry County Transportation; MVPO Pay Requests; Courthouse Permit for Toys for Tots event on November 26, 2021; 2021 Prosecutor’s DETAC Report; Travel request for Apryl McClaine from EMA; Dog Warden Report for month of November; George Bible Park Project Plans; Credit Card Appropriations for Recorder’s office for December 2021; Application for Tile or Ditch Repair #221-06-Lois Webb Trustee.
Commissioners Clerk Anne Retcher informed the commissioners that she had two letters that came in the mail and that she needed to know if the commissioners are ok with the amounts listed in the letters, for budget purposes.
The first letter was in regards to the “Children With Medical Handicaps” program and the amount had gone up from $80,000 for last year, to $81,070.
After a question as to who it was from, Retcher stated it was from Ohio Department of Health Maximum Financial Liability for Children with Medical Handicaps Program for CY 2022. Following a short discussion, it was agreed that it is mandated and needed to be approved.
The second letter was from the Juvenile Detention Center for the 2022 member County Detention Rates rent.
Retcher informed the commissioners that last year it was $295,00 and this year it is $350,400, and that she was just letting them know.
Commissioner Brian Davis asked what the per diem rate is (per day costs) or the daily member fee, to which the answer was $120.
There are other fees as well – $29,760 for monthly rent or $350,400 for Annual rent. “So $9.60 for eight beds, $120. Daily member fees schedule is $101, intake is $50 for a youth.”
Davis commented that as the intake fee is $50 and they raised the rent, it was a “good thing we took the time to have a conversation.”
Commissioner Lew Hilkert stated that he thought they had decided on $110 per day in a meeting. Commissioner Rummel said, “No.” Hilkert added, “and they were going to send the information out to us?” Rummel replied, “They did send the information out to us and we settled on $120 when we were in the four county meeting.”
This discussion continued with the three commissioners throwing numbers around which they thought were agreed upon until Davis said, “Well, congratulations. You guys have spent more money and you are not going to get any of it…”.
Commissioner Rummel took offense at Davis’s comment and an argument ensued concerning whether or not Davis thinks Rummel is a poor manager of the projects for which he is responsible.
Rummel stated, “That place is running perfectly fine under a budget that is perfect…”.
The discussion went on to include the topic of in county and out of county “kids” who are sent there and the costs for each and how it was determined. At one point, Commissioner Hilkert told Rummel, “I would be careful when you say it is running perfect.”
Rummel shared his concerns that they did have troubles due to COVID and Hilkert stated that he has a problem with that “excuse” as other organizations made adjustments, but he has not seen any at the JDC.
Davis and Rummel held some hot exchanges involving swearing at each other. Rummel said that he is offended because he feels that Davis is “questioning all our judgments on what we have done…”
At one point Davis said, “I am not blaming you. I am disappointed in the fact…the simple fact of the matter is this discussion is going to take place next year.”
Rummel agreed that it will and that he feels it will work out fine if they don’t run into COVID troubles again. Davis stated that he will “apologize this time next year” if he is wrong.
Hilkert jokingly told Retcher to put that on a reminder and she informed them that it was all on record as the recording was going the whole time.
Following a short recess they went back into General Session to approve the minutes for the November 15, 18, 22 and 29 meetings as there had been a backlog due to office medical issues.
Retcher also informed them that she had a Courthouse Permit from Sarah Petit in regards to the group of residents in NOW and surrounding areas who wanted to hold a peaceful protest on December 5, against the government/CMS vaccine mandate.
With no further business they adjourned for the day.
Rebecca can be reached at rebecca@thevillagereporter.com