Bernard reports progress on checking reconciliation
By Kevin Risner, krisner@advertiser-tribune.comWork by National City Bank to reconcile Seneca County's main checking account is continuing, Treasurer Marguerite Bernard said Monday.
Bernard told the county commissioners she spoke with bank representative Tom Sullivan. Sullivan told Bernard the bank had been able to identify some checks not previously sent to the county treasurer, Bernard said. The bank was to send a letter Monday afternoon with details of the checks, Bernard said.
Bernard said she and a member of the county auditor's office also met with Dave Shriner of National City Bank. Shriner began training Bernard to use a check management program that is to allow the treasurer to know what county checks have cleared each day. Bernard said she could search for missing checks for 2008 with the system.
"It's my tool," Bernard said. "I'm sharing it with (the county auditor)."
In another matter, County Emergency Management Agency Director Dan Stahl said the county has received $334,587 from the state as its share of cell phone surcharges. The state charges a 32-cent-per-month surcharge on all cell phone bills in Ohio. Money collected from Seneca County cell phone users has been collected in an account for the county.
The money is to be used to implement two phases of a 911 system upgrade. The upgrade is to enable 911 operators to know the physical location of most 911 calls from cell phones, Stahl said. Most cell phones are equipped with global positioning technology, Stahl said.
Commissioner Ben Nutter said two state legislators are working to gain approval of an extension of the 32-cent-per-month surcharge. The charge is scheduled to end at the end of this year unless new legislation is passed. If legislators act to extend the charges, the money is to pay for ongoing maintenance and future upgrades to 911 services.
In yet another matter, County Administrator Stacy Wilson said she spoke to County Engineer Mark Zimmerman about a proposal for a new employee in his department. The sewer district project manager is to assist with various tasks related to sewers.
Wilson said she spoke with Regional Planning Director Ann Bishop about the need to replace a member of the Regional Planning Board. Wilson said a list of four candidates were submitted from Bishop. Commissioner Mike Bridinger said he would contact each of the candidates to talk about a possible appointment by the commissioners before the commissioners make an appointment.
Commissioner Dave Sauber asked Wilson about budget requests from county departments for 2009. Wilson said some departments have submitted requests already and others have not yet done so.
The commissioners approved resolutions for the following:
* Authorizing the county Job and Family Services director to enter into a contract services agreement with ABC Academy of Fremont.
* Reappointing Amy Kirkpatrick to the Mental Health Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Board for term expiring Dec. 31, 2012.
* Reappointing Lindsay Parkins to the Mental Health Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Board for term expiring Dec. 31, 2012.
* Reappointing Kenneth Goshe to the Mental Health Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Board for term expiring Dec. 31, 2012.
* Reappointing Joe Moore to the Mental Health Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Board for term expiring Dec. 31, 2012.
* To enter into a contract agreement with Evercom Systems Inc., a Securus Technologies Inc., company for telephone services for inmates at the county jail.
* Rescinding a former board order for the concealed carry weapon fund.
* Providing for the issuance and sale of $546,000 notes, in anticipation of the issuance of bonds, for the purpose of renovation, remodeling, furnishing, equipping and otherwise improving buildings and facilities and improving and equipping their sites to house various county offices and functions and other related offices serving county residents.
* Providing for the issuance and sale of $114,000 notes, in anticipation of the issuance of bonds, for the purpose of acquiring cardiac monitors/defibrillators and other equipment for use in carrying out functions of EMS services. Nutter abstained.
* Establishing the highway safety grant fund for the sheriff's office.
* A $20,000 fund advance to the EMA fund.
* An appropriation adjustment of $500 within the EMA fund to other expenses.
* A supplemental appropriation of $3,000 to the general fund for juror fees.
* Supplemental appropriations totaling $187,000 to the general fund for supplies, contract services, and contract services-jail.
