By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Williams County Commissioners held their first regular meeting of 2026 on January 6, 2026, in the Commissioners’ Session Room. The meeting opened at 9:00 a.m. with a call to order, with members Scott Lirot, Bart Westfall, and Terry Rummel present.
A substantial portion of the meeting focused on organizational and administrative business for the new year. Commissioners addressed the reorganization of the Williams County Board, naming Scott Lirot as President and Bart Westfall as Vice President.
The board then established meeting times on Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting from 8:00 a.m. and ending at adjournment, or 4:30 p.m. Additional action included setting rules for Commissioners’ meetings and appointing members to various boards and committees.
Several resolutions were passed that authorized duties to county offices and personnel, such as the County Administrator, County Clerk and Deputy Clerk, and County Engineer. Todd Roth was appointed as Sanitary Engineer.
The County Commissioners’ Association of Ohio requires each county to have an Official Representative and an Alternate Voting representative. Bart Westfall was appointed as the official voting representative with Scott Lirot as the alternate.
Several members were appointed to the Williams County Department of Aging Advisory Committee for a term of one year.
As follows: Mindy Martin (Board President), John Lehner (Bryan Rep.), Linda Woodall (Stryker Rep.), William Stuckey (West Unity Rep.), Kelly Hephner (Montpelier Rep.), Melissa Cronin (Edgerton Rep.), Connie Salsbury (Pioneer Rep.), and Mary Mohre (Edon Rep.).
Commissioners moved to assign President Lirot as a signatory to the Farm Service Agency.
For funding participation with the Ohio Public Works Commission, several members were approved as signatories: Ron Buda as Project Manager Certification, Vickie Grimm as Chief Financial Officer Certification, and Todd Roth as Chief Executive Officer Certification. This is for the sole purpose of the completion, execution and submission of Appendix E – Disbursement Request forms and certifications.
Ron Buda was additionally approved as the Prevailing Wage Coordinator for all projects in Williams County for the calendar year of 2026.
Several resolutions regarding Job and Family Services (JFS) were passed with no contest. Kylee Towne, Director of Williams County JFS, will serve as the designee.
This grants Towne the authority to sign Inter-County Adjustments on behalf of the county for 2026. It was noted that a summary of information must be presented to the Board before signing.
Two JFS child placement contracts were approved:
-An IV-E Contract with National Youth Advocate Program at a cost not to exceed $35,000. The term limit is January 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026.
-An IV-E Contract with Inner Peace Homes, Inc. at a cost not to exceed $5,000. The term limit is January 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026.
Lastly, a resolution between the county and the Cancer Assistance of Williams County for the leasing of office space was approved. They will remain located at their current office. The lease term limit is from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2030.
A letter of support was noted from the Edgerton Fire Department regarding a grant application.
An executive session was then held to discuss employment within the county at 9:28 a.m. There was no action afterwards, and the first meeting of 2026 was adjourned directly after.