County eligible for $100,000 in federal funding
By Nick Dutro
Staff Writer
Seneca County could receive more than $100,000 from the Ohio Department of Development, according to information presented during a public hearing by Grant Administrator Ann Bishop.
Bishop told the Seneca County commissioners the county is eligible for around $97,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds and an additional $4,000 in Neighborhood Stabilization Grant funds during the board meeting Monday morning.
CDBG funds can be used for economic development, downtown revitalization, neighborhood revitalization and housing programs. Bishop said the county can propose six programs to be funded through CDBG by April 9.
The next public hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. May 10 in the commissioners' office. A summary of the proposed projects is to be presented at that time.
In other matters, Board President Ben Nutter discussed a phone call from a resident who stated she had a disability which made it difficult to enter the Seneca County Juvenile Court. Nutter said this has been a concern for the county.
"We've been very vocal that this does not meet (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessibility requirements, which is why we need to come to some sort of solution as it relates to the 1884 courthouse," Nutter said.
Nutter suggested a rail be installed as a temporary solution.
Commissioner Dave Sauber said the board has made attempts to address the issues at the juvenile court which were not possible.
Nutter said the board has fielded questions concerning their decision to renovate the former 1884 Seneca County Courthouse and said this was an example of why it needed to be done.
"We are obligated as a community and a government to provide accessibility to all the people who live here and we have to do it so that people aren't ... in danger of falling or getting hurt," Nutter said.
"We voted to do the most cost-effective thing; that is what we're doing. And if it is most cost effective to renovate and (it) saves the taxpayer $2 million, there is not a logical argument to the contrary other than mean spiritedness."
Also Nutter said the office has been receiving e-mails from Franklin Conaway, leader of the Seneca County Courthouse and Downtown Redevelopment Group, requesting information. Nutter asked Commissioner Mike Bridinger if he would be willing to address the requests as the office now is short staffed.
Bridinger said he would be happy to take on the responsibility.
Also while discussing old business, Sauber said he has been receiving calls from people with difficulties finding spots in county parking lots and others receiving tickets. Sauber said this has been an ongoing problem.
The commissioners said the lots are to be used only for county business during the business hours, but are free for use after those times.
"I'm all for local businesses using those lots for customers after hours, but if there is snow and we have to clean the parking lot ... then it's a safety issue," Nutter said. "The problem we have is long-term parking when they aren't doing county business, and then we have others who can't do county business."
In new business, the board approved a resolution appointing Jeff Briggs as the Seneca County Sheriff, effective 12:01 a.m. today.
Briggs, who was at the meeting, thanked the commissioners for their support.
"I look forward to this new challenge and look forward to working with you in any way I can," Briggs said.
Also in new business, County Administrator Stacy Wilson said health insurance committee met last week concerning the transition from MedBen to Anthem, which has not been smooth for some employees in terms of how the flex-spending account operates.
Wilson said employees can get a debit card for $1.75 a month, which makes the plan more convenient by having payments deducted from the flex-spending line rather than having employees pay fees to be reimbursed later.
Debit card usage was was highly recommended by the committee and is to cost $1,300 total, with $680 coming from the general fund.
The commissioners said they were in support of helping their employees, but could not justify using the general fund.
"If it didn't cost the general fund anything, I'd be all in favor of it but I'm not asking the rest of the taxpayers in Seneca County to absorb the cost," Nutter said.
Other methods of payment may be explored, including having employees pay the fee, but the plan requires participation by all policy holders.
Wilson also stated Seneca County Auditor Julie Adkins has made a change to the bill payment schedule, eliminating a pay period in the third week of the month. This is causing an issue with some departments getting late fees.
Wilson recommended departments prepare bills early for the week that has been cut. Nutter said the commissioners would not be paying any late fees and did not want fees to be paid from the general fund, but instead from the budgets of delinquent departments.
Finally, the board needs to appoint a new members to the Law Library Board. Anyone interested can apply by contacting the office at (419) 447-4550.
