PHOTO BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
COFFEE WITH COMMISSIONERS … The monthly Williams County Commissioner’s meeting was held at the Alvortucky Bar in Alvordton to discuss ongoing concerns of residents.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Williams County Commissioners convened for their regular meeting on October 7, 2025, at the Alvortucky Bar located at 106 E. Main Street in Alvordton.
The session began at 9:00 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and a roll call. Commissioner President Terry Rummel, Scott Lirot, and Bart Westfall were in attendance.
The commissioners moved forward to pay the bills. “One of things I always look at is the bills of Hillside Nursing Home,” mentioned Lirot.
“They paid off old bills so we can try to get caught up – so we can know what we are doing. Now we are back to zero, and we can get a really good accounting on where we are with income and expenses.”
“I think it’s noteworthy to say we are at zero because the State of Ohio stole about $600,000 from us in Medicaid payments. They decided to change the rules, and short us about $60 per person, per day.
“This took our budget to being fairly tight anyways, to a big negative. Now the Supreme Court has said that Medicaid was wrong, and has to pay us, so we are waiting for a check,” stated Rummel.
“We fronted them about a half of a million last week,” Rummel continued, “and we should get that half million back in some timeframe.”
Transfer appropriations were approved for the Adult Probation and Common Pleas Court, Commissioner’s Office, Department of Aging, Engineer’s Office, Recorder’s Office, and Treasurer’s Office.
The commissioners formally approved the proposed RUMA (Road Use Repair and Maintenance Agreement) with the Village of Pioneer. This allows the Village to operate and move equipment vehicles on public roads within the county, specifically on County Road 15 and County Road S.
Any damage to the roadways are under Pioneer’s responsibility. The bond limit was set to $300,000 and will be held until the county is satisfied with any necessary repairs.
“This is not the actual permit,” Rummel explained, “this is the RUMA that says when we give them the permit, they will take care of the roads and put the roads back to the quality they were.”
The commissioners approved the 2026 United Way Incentive campaign for county employees. Additionally, they approved an addendum to Project 8-2025 to move the bid dates from October 9, 2025, to October 23, 2025. A final resolution waived the 30-day health insurance window for a Job and Family Services employee.
The board reviewed an email from Dwight Wilson continuing in opposition to the Ebersole Petition.
Several permits were approved for work within county and township right-of-ways; one for Toledo Edison and 12 for Charter Communications.
An open discussion followed at 9:15 a.m. Health Commissioner Oscar Hernandez addressed the room about the ongoing camper situation in Alvordton. Many campers were placed throughout Alvordton with no water or sewer hookups, and concern has been raised by the residents.
Hernandez noted that they are not considered a manufactured home; however, when used as a permanent residence, water/sewer hookups are necessary. He stated that he has sent several letters of compliance with a 30-day action window.
“When you have a densely populated area, when you live in a town, it’s your obligation to keep up your property,” said Lirot. “We’ve been driving around town for the last couple of weeks, and I see room for improvement.”
Millcreek Township Trustee, Bob Short, responded, “The township has been hearing from concerned citizens for quite a number of months on issues within the place.
“Yes, it is a village – it’s an unincorporated village. Whether good or bad, the township operates under authority of the Ohio Revised Code.”
“An incorporated village can pass ordinances, but townships cannot pass ordinances. But they can pass resolutions. It’s a different process.
“We’ve had some concerns raised, and we are looking into what has been brought up to us. There has been a group that has talked about incorporation, or re-incorporation, once we get this sewer thing taken care of. I want to commend the commissioners and the Health Department for collaboration between entities.”
“We’ve had many people come to meetings and say, ‘We want the old Alvordton back.’ I think, with the cooperation of the different agencies, I think we can do a lot to establish that,” Short stated.
The discussion turned to potential fire safety issues with a recent apartment complex built in Alvordton, along with communication issues law enforcement and EMS face while in the dead zone.
Many residents of Alvordton came to the meeting to address concerns they have had for some time, and sought the commissioners’ help with moving forward.
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:03 a.m.