A county commissioners supported a measure allowing the county to "control its destiny" by getting involved in a class-action lawsuit against two federal lending agencies.
During a meeting Tuesday morning, Seneca County commissioners agreed 2-1 to join class-action litigation against Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. The county is involved on a contingent basis only.
According to County Administrator Stacy Wilson, the auditor's office did not charge the agencies for some land transfers in the county. However, litigation in other counties in other states has found that the agencies may not have been exempt from those fees.
Commissioners were split in the decision.
"I don't think there is a lot of benefit in joining this ... and I just don't have a good feel for this. It feels like ambulance chasing," Commissioner Jeff Wagner said.
"I feel just the opposite. I think we're due the money and we should get it for services rendered," Commissioner Dave Sauber said.
"I'm inclined to do it, because (Wagner's) right, the class action lawsuit is going to happen anyway, and if we're not part of it, we don't have a seat at the table. I think it's important to control our own destiny as opposed to having others control it for us," said Nutter, board president.
In another matter, Wilson said a grant for improvement projects at the Seneca County airport was approved. Commissioners were in favor of moving forward with the projects as soon as possible. The county's share of the cost is about 10 percent.
Improvements, which cost about $229,677, include crack sealing on the runway and removal of three trees in the object free zone, or flight path. The tree removal is to cost about $900 for work, but overall is about $4,000 to compensate the landowner, a figure which has been negotiated down.
Wilson said Airport Manager Brad Newman was concerned it may be too late in the year for paving, but Nutter said he hopes to get it finished soon.
In new business, commissioners:
Approved an appropriation adjustment of $616.27 within the General Fund.
Approved an appropriation adjustment of $449.52 within the Delinquent Real Estate Tax Fund.
Approved a supplemental appropriation of $15,000 to the Guardrail Fund.
Approved a supplemental decrease of $54,343.50 to the permanent Appropriation for the Community Corrections Corrections Presentence Investigation Grant Fund.
Approved a supplemental appropriation of $15,000 to the General Fund.
Approved an appropriation adjustment of $5,000 within the General Fund.
Approved a supplemental appropriation of $32,540.17 to the General Fund.
Approved a resolution establishing the Community Corrections Presentence Investigation Fund.
Approved a resolution authorizing the Hazardous Materials Plan as submitted by the Emergency Planning Commission.
Approved a resolution setting 10:30 a.m. Oct. 16 at the Seneca County Commissioners Office as the deadline to receive sealed bids for street improvements for the village of Bettsville Project.
Approved a resolution setting 4:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Seneca County Commissioners Office as the deadline to receive sealed bids for street improvements for the village of New Riegel.
Approved a resolution authorizing commissioners to enter into an agreement with Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction for Community Control/Probation on behalf of the Seneca County Common Pleas Court II.
Approved a resolution authorizing the amounts and rates as determined by the Budget Commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the County Auditor .
Approved bill vouchers.
