Conaway presents financial preview for courthouse renovation
By Kevin Risner, krisner@advertiser-tribune.comJust moments after the Seneca County commissioners were telling county elected officials and department heads it was time to cut expenses, Franklin Conaway of the Seneca County Courthouse and Downtown Development Group was having a different kind of financial discussion with the board.
For the first time in the 125 year history of the 1884 Seneca County Courthouse, a plan might be imminent to renovate the structure in an affordable way ... that is, if the county has any money at all to spend on the project.
Conaway is expected to meet with the board again during the next two regular board sessions - Tuesday and July 20. The July 20 session has been set aside for the Development Group to present its case for saving and renovating the 1884 Seneca County Courthouse.
Because the group expects to present so much information that day, Conaway said the group would not wait until July 20 to begin offering nuggets of information. Various members of the group's financial team are expected to present information Tuesday, Conaway said.
Chris Spellmire, Findlay area director for the USDA, is to accompany the Development Group Tuesday, Conaway said.
Spellmire is expected to present information about USDA financing options Conaway said have "very attractive" interest rates and terms. Spellmire also is to discuss USDA grant possibilities. Conaway said the USDA funds also could be used to build a new courthouse.
Conaway said the Development Group was planning to reconstruct the courthouse tower with donations and grants. He said the tower has no functional use, except as a focal point of the downtown area.
A representative of the Ohio Department of Development is expected to accompany the Development Group July 20 to present additional financial information. The ODOD representative is expected to share information about how the county can access funds committed by the state for the project, Conaway said.
The commissioners would need to pass a resolution expressing their willingness to pursue the renovation project and stating how much the county could commit to the project before grant applications could be completed, Conaway said. The homework and groundwork has been laid to make the process of applying for grants as simple as possible for the county, Conaway said. The commissioners would need to decide on a funding amount the county could place on the table for the project as part of the grant applications.
Conaway is in Tiffin today with contractors and estimators working to finalize cost estimates to be presented over the next two weeks for the commissioners to consider. The July 20 presentation is to include a redesign of the vacant courthouse and detailed cost estimates for the job, along with final information about financial options to pay the bills.
In another matter, county resident Tom Breidenbach asked the board whether any progress has been made toward repairing broken headstones at the county cemetery. The cemetery is located at the end of a lane behind the county Agricultural Services Center on SR 100 south of Tiffin.
Commissioner Mike Bridinger said the commissioners have not yet finalized a proposal for the repairs. He said work was to be done by the county maintenance department and workers have been busy with regular summer duties. Bridinger said he was working on a tentative plan.
Commissioner Dave Sauber said the cemetery repairs were necessarily secondary to other maintenance tasks, but he has spoken to maintenance supervisor Jim Barth to discuss ideas for the repairs.
After the meeting, representatives from Seneca County Veterans Services said they are interested in supporting a project to complete the repairs at the cemetery because two veterans are buried in the cemetery.
Bridinger praised the efforts of the county Veterans Services, and reminded the public spouses and children of veterans also may be eligible for benefits from the Veterans Services.
The board approved resolutions for the following:
* Rescinding a previous board order for a supplemental appropriation for the Victims Assistance Program.
* To enter into an agreement with Clinton Township for 2009 fire protection services retroactive to Jan. 1.
* Establishing the Issue 1 township road construction fund retroactive to July 6.
* Rescinding a previous board order to enter into an agreement with Seneca County General Health District for 2009 Wellness services because of an error in the contract.
* To enter into an agreement with the Seneca County General Health District for 2009 Wellness services retroactive to Jan. 1.
* Amending a previous board order related to authorizing WSOS to administer a grant program for replacing failed home septic systems.
The board approved the following financial issues:
* A supplemental appropriation of $1,250 to the commissary fund for other expenses.
* A supplemental appropriation of $582 to the Community Development Block Grant Neighborhood Stabilization Program fund for advertising.
* Supplemental appropriations totaling $779,126 to the Seneca County employees health insurance fund for prescription drugs and claims.
* A supplemental appropriation of $500 to the Seneca County Sewer District fund for advertising.
* Supplemental appropriations totaling about $5.3 million to the bond retirement fund for contract services, bond principal and bond interest.
* Supplemental appropriations totaling $10,000 to the ambulance service fund for supplies and contract repairs.
* A financial adjustment of $2,000 from contingencies to the Tax Map office for repairs to a copier.
