[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6339975,"mediaKeyId","2260437-19e7ab60e0be09737d1528f7751a15d0","parentId",2260437,"title","County staff, auditor disagree over midyear delinquent‑billing certifications; commissioners delay decision","audioSeconds",725,"startMs",3209000,"endMs",3934000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2260437-19e7ab60e0be09737d1528f7751a15d0&start=3209&end=3934","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2260437-19e7ab60e0be09737d1528f7751a15d0/thumbnail_3209000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6339975/Medina-County/Ohio/County-staff-auditor-disagree-over-midyear-delinquentbilling-certifications-commissioners-delay-decision","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339975-bed1e1e5c95136525941e3376f34a07b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160562&Signature=ItSbhnkRyJn5BqXXwlQVqzCU1ZaBj~o7FHb~9Vv9fTtzWjeoa28oIutiQ-OcGhKccz46AXxTCzjjUkxa30K3wTT~lN-6k2YP-8Od3bIU7RytwPZca1yh6zDdHnc4dd~DRtVjhDxCEIWIJTMJDRl2yS9ivd0tVIerLUG3NncdIPEofwH4EGUWY~Sh6lnpnMzllARRhKfZYWgmQPOwk6eDPb4ZIuL9-tJau~8Uzs0~OoBfHFlDb16eVeqiA9j8bfyDWcBXywNyaNBH~FxFnHKSxR5aRYbyvH0DjUkepzu1JJrkhh0shCUpdfONZ4DH7s3gmqCbGbRGu9lj~~vWHvTuwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Medina County OH","date","2025-02-11T16:54:16Z","article","Medina County officials debated whether to certify delinquent water and sewer utility balances multiple times in 2025, with sanitary‑engineering staff urging repeated certifications to improve collections and county fiscal certainty while the auditor’s office and treasurer warned the county’s tax/assessment software and administrative process cannot easily absorb an extra midyear certification without manual work and vendor support.

Jeremy Cinco, the county’s sanitary engineer, told commissioners that three certifications in 2024 helped the county recover delinquent balances and reduce the need to raise rates, and he urged continuing more frequent certifications. \"In '24, this past year, we did 3 certifications and we actually collected an additional $375,000 in revenue,\" he said during the meeting, adding that certification helps capture delinquent balances that otherwise become unrecoverable when properties transfer ownership.

Auditor’s office staff, represented by John Hunter in the discussion, said the county’s tax processing runs on a year‑in‑arrears schedule and the county’s current software workflow does not handle the extra midyear special assessment without significant manual reversal and vendor‑side coding. “The software doesn't allow for it,” Hunter said, describing the need for substantial staff and vendor time when the county attempted a three‑certification process. He and other finance officials said the treasurer’s process collects certified liens as part of the tax cycle and that special assessments must be applied after core tax calculations are complete.

Commissioners and staff debated the magnitude of the benefit versus administrative cost. Hunter and treasury staff said that, while certifying is intended to put delinquencies on the tax roll, the county had to pull and reapply items in 2024 to match the tax cycle — work that required many hours from both auditor and treasurer staff and coordination with vendor software providers. County staff noted that a significant share of certified collections come from sewer accounts (which cannot be shut off) and that the certification process reduces revenue risk tied to unpaid sewer charges.

Officials discussed specific figures at the meeting. Sanitary staff summarized multi‑year collection activity: single certifications in 2020–2022 (with roughly $250,000 recovered in one year after a certification), two certifications in 2023 (about $843,000 collected that year according to one presentation) and three certifications in 2024 (figures presented ranged in the discussion; sanitary staff cited $375,000 additional revenue from doing three certifications, while the auditor later referenced collection totals up to approximately $1.2 million for 2024 when including all deposit flows presented to the auditor/treasurer for tax application). Commissioners asked both sides to reconcile those differences and to provide a clear, auditable accounting of the collections and write‑offs.

Because the March 15 certification deadline approached, commissioners opted to delay formal direction for one week to allow the auditor, treasurer and sanitary staff to produce cost estimates that quantify the vendor and staff labor required to implement a three‑certification schedule in 2025. Commissioner discussion reflected a balance of concerns: several commissioners said they were inclined to pursue more frequent certifications to protect ratepayers who pay on time, others urged prudence given the administrative burden and asked staff to produce the vendor cost estimate and the treasurer’s operational perspective before making a final choice.

The transcript records no definitive vote to change the certification schedule at the meeting; commissioners directed staff to return with the requested cost and technical detail for a final decision.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","February 11, 2025 – Medina County Commissioners' Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Medina County sanitary staff supported certifying delinquent water/sewer balances three times a year to improve collections; the auditor and treasurer raised technical and administrative constraints on applying midyear special assessments. Commissioners asked for cost estimates and deferred a March‑15 certification decision.","taxTitle","Medina County, Ohio","taxId",18082,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6339980,"Judge asks commissioners to seed CASA program; Ohio CASA pledges start‑up funds",1427,1619000,3046000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2260437-19e7ab60e0be09737d1528f7751a15d0&start=1619&end=3046","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2260437-19e7ab60e0be09737d1528f7751a15d0/thumbnail_1619000.jpg","/articles/6339980/Medina-County/Ohio/Judge-asks-commissioners-to-seed-CASA-program-Ohio-CASA-pledges-startup-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339980-f1c49a456f09b8b6a994ef2e40f04562/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160562&Signature=Ng8BGYtV9LtyC6ntKQdtfODphB2mXm8QKsMO5BQ-cQogqRLBfqrfTrUlY14kLjqiqdR6kiA9VVNr1aCQnr9VyuHmpxBuPx8RO68DjyPjkFnMZIs1Zc1NbJJR47-O2VKeOJBbIjSoJ6zybFrrbNbIi62Hv86wOuehKIvIKINBxgWDxgRd8htiH7qPAHtqV4tkOO8Ba9JIV1sFs-e9bQfz4pEjpqdCZ2RhGXbyoR6bjFg6Wx9FngTjdm3KTuSqO8G7oBbh3DxHk02gsaHbg46XUtOxksk64nMcNBFOps5CRVYuDQPnIGEJ7~QDatLePdj9CeefA~~GUsrPHUK6fw6n4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Judge Jeffrey Dunn asked the Medina County Board of Commissioners to approve seed funding to establish a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) program in the county, saying the statewide CASA organization has pledged start‑up support and the child advocacy center will assist with initial administration.

The program would recruit and train community volunteers to serve as guardians ad litem for children in delinquency, unruly and abuse/neglect/dependency cases. “CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates,” Judge Dunn said, explaining volunteers “research, investigate, and report all the child circumstances to the court.” He told commissioners the county currently relies on a small pool of attorneys for guardian‑ad‑litem work and that operating costs for GAL work in recent years have been substantial.

Judge Dunn presented case and cost figures: in 2023–2024 the court had 343 delinquency filings, 95 unruly filings and 80 abuse/neglect/dependency filings; he reported 19 GAL appointments for delinquency/unruly cases and 91 in abuse/neglect/dependency cases for a two‑year span, and said the county paid roughly $166,967 in GAL fees in that period. He described the CASA model as a volunteer‑driven alternative that provides pre‑service training (30 hours) and continuing education and can reduce attorney workload and long‑term costs.

Judge Dunn said the CASA organization offered $75,000 in start‑up funding for year one and requested the commissioners contribute $25,000 in the first year “to negate some of the costs involved.” He described a plan to host the program’s initial payroll and benefits under the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) while a local 501(c)(3) is established; CAC representatives indicated they would house the back‑office finances and help with payroll until the new nonprofit is formed.

Commissioners asked for more detail on the executive‑director job description, reporting structure and whether one full‑time employee would provide sufficient capacity before approving a second staff position in year two. Commissioner discussion referenced a budget line showing a possible $50,000 county contribution in year two if the program expands and the commissioners asked for the CASA job description and additional financial details before finalizing a commitment.

Following discussion the board signaled support in principle but requested a formal resolution and more documentation (job description, selection committee composition and written start‑up agreement) to consider funding. Judge Dunn said CASA has indicated the state group would revisit additional funding based on progress and the hiring of an executive director.

The transcript records no formal vote to commit county dollars on the day of presentation; commissioners asked staff to return with the requested documents and the court asked for a formal resolution to authorize funding if the board decides to proceed.","Judge Dunn presented a proposal to establish a Court‑Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program in Medina County, saying CASA of Ohio will provide seed funds and asking the commissioners for county contributions to staff a startup executive director and initial operations.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6339984,"Commissioners approve package of routine resolutions including vehicle purchases, capital projects and IT contract amendment",3016,72000,3088000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2260437-19e7ab60e0be09737d1528f7751a15d0&start=72&end=3088","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2260437-19e7ab60e0be09737d1528f7751a15d0/thumbnail_72000.jpg","/articles/6339984/Medina-County/Ohio/Commissioners-approve-package-of-routine-resolutions-including-vehicle-purchases-capital-projects-and-IT-contract-amendment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339984-0a6f527874e93afe2bcc074c7f33fe04/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160563&Signature=ktDsXWa-uW~FlVpt9IW1kaCyt3O1rvSFv-mQzDtyDhOaWbmFtRdlJo3sjs0B8WWLxQiJWL7ozPz9GDxztpgC6fCqj85Sg4jKQr616opXckqlaxix8YarYh2EsSrWhpjmYabO5ImtrAN2U7RetAQi186eHcL45FKv9XRHkf16mLw41M2wNhRg7929HqaI2R6eWy9Dx0UdcuTNnBSD8D7JrBk9PubSZ3xlfGK-yZXWHAzR2p6OxV1xaKyReeVu0PGAI8hEErbE5OLC9X8o1K-mAux3yckw-V9iMwt897H6R5IRZJxTAaZhmFFxStO2GFs3th0sNY43QMfH8W9MBhOGVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Medina County Board of Commissioners approved a bundle of routine resolutions during their meeting, passing motions that authorized vehicle purchases, bid advertising for water-main work, personnel changes and amendments to technology and finance contracts.

The measures, which were presented by department heads and department representatives, included approval to buy a GMC 4x4 pickup for the engineer’s office; four sanitary-engineering resolutions that authorized water-main replacement advertising and equipment purchases; acceptance of the 2025 Medina County Public Transit Safety Plan; personnel and table-of-organization changes from Human Resources; several finance housekeeping transfers and vendor payments; and an amendment to the county’s fiber service agreement with Lightspeed Hosting.

The engineer’s office sought authorization to buy a GMC 4x4 pickup when “nothing really available in the purchase agreement meets what we’re looking for,” a departmental representative said during the meeting. The sanitary engineering office presented four items: (1) declaring necessity to replace water main along March Road between Grafton and Boston Road and authorizing advertising for construction bids; (2) authorizing purchase of a cargo van for wastewater treatment plant maintenance; (3) authorizing purchase of a single-axle cab chassis with dump body; and (4) declaring necessity to extend water mains on Back Branch Road and authorizing bid advertising.

Finance presented seven resolutions that included expenditure adjustments, a cash transfer related to court fees, print shop revenue recognition ($4,863.76), gasoline purchases ($21,851.15), a planned purchase of 7,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline for engineering at a vendor bid of $1.97 per gallon, expenses for county official travel and the weekly bills (listed as $2,666,542.88). The Information Technology department asked the board to approve a 10‑year amendment with Lightspeed Hosting to flex bandwidth and create a direct fiber link to the Medina County fiber network; commissioners approved that contract amendment.

Other approvals included an $18,400 consulting agreement for restroom renovations at the Human Services Center and acceptance of 2025 HEAP funding for Medina County Senior Services in the amount of $5,767.49. A commissioners’ resolution approving an expedited annexation petition of 1.7418 acres from Wadsworth Township to the city of Wadsworth was also approved.

Roll calls recorded during the meeting show a unanimous vote on each resolution. For the votes captured in the transcript, Commissioners Swedeck, Hambley and Harrison recorded “Yes” on the motions called.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting transcript):
- Engineer: Purchase GMC 4x4 pickup — approved (roll call: Swedeck, Hambley, Harrison all yes).
- Sanitary engineering (4 resolutions): water-main replacement advertising on March Road; cargo van purchase for wastewater maintenance; single‑axle cab chassis & dump body purchase; extension of water mains on Back Branch Road — all approved (roll call: Swedeck, Hambley, Harrison all yes).
- Transit: 2025 Medina County Public Transit Safety Plan — approved (roll call recorded with Commissioners and acknowledgement from Denise Testa).
- Programmatic agreements & CDBG environmental review & Kleinfelder contract amendment (Housing/Community Development items) — approved.
- Human resources: two personnel resolutions (new hires, promotions, rate changes, leaves, resignation and table-of-organization amendment for County Maintenance) — approved.
- Finance: seven resolutions (expenditure adjustments, transfers, print shop revenue, gasoline purchases, travel/expenses for officials, weekly bills) — approved.
- IT: Amendment to Lightspeed Hosting fiber service agreement (10-year term, flexible bandwidth) — approved.
- Facilities: Envelope consulting services agreement for restroom renovations ($18,400) and acceptance of HEAP funding ($5,767.49) for Senior Services — approved.
- Commissioners: expedited annexation petition (1.7418 acres to city of Wadsworth) — approved.

The meeting record contained no recorded dissent on these routine items; commissioners voted in favor during roll calls following presentation and brief discussion. No ordinance or multi‑reading legislative actions were recorded in the transcript excerpt provided.","The Medina County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on a series of routine resolutions Wednesday, approving purchases and contract amendments across multiple departments including engineering, sanitary, transit, information technology and finance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County staff, auditor disagree over midyear delinquent‑billing certifications; commissioners delay decision

Judge asks commissioners to seed CASA program; Ohio CASA pledges start‑up funds

Commissioners approve package of routine resolutions including vehicle purchases, capital projects and IT contract amendment