By: Anna Wozniak
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
anna@thevillagereporter.com
The Williams County Commissioners met twice last week, Monday and Thursday, with Monday starting out bright and early with a general session at 8 a.m.
After regular session, the commissioners met with Williams County Port Authority representatives David Newcomer, Sean Rupp, Dawn Fitzcharles, and, later, Ashley Epling for the WCPA’s quarterly update and fund requests, and then entered into executive session to discuss discipline and compensation before meeting with Donna Sprow, the executive Director of the Department of Aging, for the Department of Aging Advisory Board meeting.
They then traveled to Defiance County to attend the Four County Solid Waste District Meeting and Four County Joint Board meeting before adjourning for the day.
Thursday began at 8:30 a.m. with an update on the EMS levy from Chief Kyle Brigle, who came in to illustrate how their finances support the need for a levy.
At 9 a.m. was the start of Thursday’s general session, with 9:30 a.m. seeing an update from Williams County Engineer’s Office representative Brian Fritsch, before Gene Woodring, the Facilities Maintenance Manager, gave his update at 10 a.m., before the commissioners entered executive session to discuss disciplinary action.
Monday first saw the passing of Resolution 23-0317, a transfer resolution for the Commissioner’s Office, Juvenile Court, and the Treasurer’s Office.
Then approved was Resolution 23-0318, which approved an agreement for youth transportation services for JFS, before Resolution 23-0319, which related to a sub-grant agreement for JFS to train college students for job-readiness in child welfare development, was approved.
Resolution 23-0320 was for an agreement for services relating to Juvenile Court, and then the commissioners signed a building permit, approved the minutes from the October 18, 2023, meeting as presented by the clerk, and approved the bills as presented by the auditor.
Commissioner Hilkert then proclaimed October 24 as Eileen D. Schilt Day, in honor of Mrs. Schilt’s 101st birthday.
The WCPA shared that four houses have been finished, and four are currently under construction, with more hopefully to be seen in the near future.
They have ten parcels ready for homes, with interest being shown on parcels for next year as well.
Mr. Newcomer shared details on how the homes floorplans are expected to be improved upon as they become more familiar with the process, including the hopes for the schematics to include additional restrooms.
It was then discussed how the housing market is getting tougher, with the affordability of mortgage rates a major concern.
Fitzcharles shared details of funding and conferences, with news that word of the action they are taking spreading throughout Ohio.
The WCPA are looking at working with four contractors for the upcoming season, gaining two from the previous.
The homes that have been sold thus far have varied in price from $149,000 to $170,000. Conversation was then held on financing infrastructure for lots, and the main issues identified were income and construction costs.
They currently have a system wherein they fundraise for the construction costs and earn them back upon the closing of the sale.
Currently, the housing market is such that they have a very narrow profit margin, giving cause to the discussion centering around how to get the funds for a large-scale housing development project, as the limited cash flow means construction can only go as quickly as each house is built and sold without further funding.
Chief Brigle then shared the finances from 2022 that highlight the need for a levy. With $986,602.34 in revenue and $3,720,668.21 in expenses, a 3.35 millage would be needed to support the system.
Brigle also highlighted that after the levy, there will be less revenue from transfers. Currently, the Williams County EMS has been paying the bills through contracts for transfers.
Now, these transfers will not be contracted out to the county life squads, causing a loss in revenue.
If the levy passes, the squad in the community will be for the community and will not be leaving the county.
He also stressed the importance of soft-billing, wherein county residents would not see a bill for EMS services, their taxes from the levy serving in place of payment, which would also decrease the projected future revenue for the Williams County EMS. Post-levy, the Williams County EMS would be looking at a revenue of $980,000.
The commissioners then entered regular session, where they approved seven resolutions.
Resolution 23-0321 approved transfer requests on behalf of the Williams County Airport Authority, Auditor, Board of Elections, Commissioners, Common Pleas Court, EMS, Hillside, and IT.
Resolution 23-0322 increased the salary of Todd Roth, Williams County Engineer, and Resolution 23-0323 approved a lease agreement between the Williams County Board of Commissioners and NOCAC (Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission).
Resolution 23-0324 approved an agreement for services from the Lucas County Coroner, and Resolution 23-0325 approved the purchase and installation of a new boiler at Bryan Senior Center.
Resolution 23-0326 and Resolution 23-0327 approved IV-E contracts for JFS.
Also signed by the commissioners was the Williams County Dog Warden report for October 16-22, a letter from the Parks Board regarding a $50,000 request for the replacement of the Bible Park bridge, some Maumee Valley CHIP program payments, and the credit card report from the Commissioners and Recorders offices.
The minutes from the October 23, 2023 meeting were approved as presented by the Clerk, and the bills as presented by the auditor.
At 9:30 a.m., the commissioners heard Brian Fritsch detail how three villages in Williams County have taken on the GIS program, with surrounding municipalities needing to do the same.
The biggest requirements are I-Pads with GPS. The idea is to purchase two units for $12,000 total, charging a service fee for the use of the equipment by other municipalities to help make up for the initial costs.
There is no GIS budget at the moment, but there is a ‘capital equipment budget’ that Fritsch proposed the funds could come out of.
The commissioners then asked that further information be gathered by conducting a general consensus to be sure that there are no problems with the purchase.
The commissioners then heard an update on the courthouse from Gene Woodring before entering executive session regarding disciplinary action.
