Seneca County commissioners met Thursday afternoon to discuss recent actions taken on behalf of the budget commission.
The budget commission made the decision Tuesday to decrease funding in the budget for the county jail by $500,000, Seneca County Auditor Julie Adkins said.
Commissioner Jeff Wagner said the decision was made after the Seneca County Sheriff's Office advised the budget commission there was an anticipated increase in federal funds for housing inmates.
"It would be nice to have a letter sent out to elected officials and department heads to look at the figures to see where we are for the midyear review," Wagner said.
Commissioner Dave Sauber concurred with Wagner.
"We have cut the budget 18 percent over the last three years," he said. "We can put a letter together, though."
"We had budgeted $14.4 million, but less will be needed," Wagner said.
The budget commission meets every month and consists of Adkins, Seneca County Treasurer Damon Alt and Seneca County Prosecutor Derek Devine.
Sauber said the change in funding came from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement program, that will provide more money than anticipated for Seneca County.
Sheriff Bill Eckelberry was unavailable for comment Thursday afternoon.
The initial budget for the year, according to Adkins, was $14,446,984 in the General Fund that is maintained by the county commissioners.
Another discussion during the board meeting was regarding the finalizing of Community Development Block Grants for 2012.
Wagner and Sauber passed a motion to ensure funding would be used for a measure proposed to benefit fair housing in Seneca County.
Seneca County's CDBG funds of $128,000 have gone back to Seneca Regional Planning Director Jill Griffin for final submittal to the Ohio Department of Development.
CDBG funds are to be used on the County Services Building for repairs to the heating, venting and air conditioning and to fix the roof, at 71 S. Washington St.
After the meeting, Griffin said funds can be used as early as September until the end of 2013.
Board of Commissioners President Ben Nutter was on vacation.
Other legislation approved by the board included:
Bill vouchers.
An appropriation of $5,000 for contract services for the Seneca County Dog Warden.
A supplemental appropriation of $5,000 for Job and Family Services for a Delinquent Care and Custody Grant Fund.
An appropriation of $3,151.50 for the Energy Management Agency for Palmer Energy to provide estimates.
An authorization of a Subsidy Reclaim Grant on behalf of the Seneca County Juvenile Court for expenses for youth services.
Supplemental appropriations within the Bascom Sewer District Fund and the County Sewer District Fund, to comply with U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines.
