Morrow County commissioners approve routine measures, proclaim April Child Abuse Prevention Month and table action on planning director vacancy

Morrow County Board of Commissioners members approved routine finance and project items, adopted a proclamation designating April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and moved to defer final action on Planning and Zoning Director Brent Russell' resignation during a regularly scheduled session.

The board approved the minutes of the March 31, 2025, regular session and bills numbered 1 through 22, and authorized appropriations of certified, unappropriated funds for the MCAT account and other capital needs. Commissioners also voted to permit use of opioid settlement funds and approved an appropriation to the county's opioid account for online training.

The board read and adopted a proclamation recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month. The proclamation recited that in 2024 there were "69 reports of abuse and neglect maltreatment investigated in Morrow County affecting 375 children," and called on "citizens, community agencies, religious organizations, medical facilities, and businesses" to increase participation in prevention efforts. The proclamation referenced an amended House Bill 165 as a basis for statewide recognition of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

On personnel, the board announced receipt of the resignation of Brent Russell, planning and zoning director. Commissioners discussed whether to act immediately; one commissioner asked to "table this" and the motion to defer was moved and seconded. The transcript records the motion to table the item "till next year" and subsequent discussion about Russell's service and an internal posting to allow current county employees to apply. The transcript does not clearly record a final roll-call outcome on acceptance versus tabling beyond the motion to defer and follow-up remarks about internal recruitment.

Several capital and contract items were approved. The board approved a pay request (pay request No. 17) for retainage in the amount recorded in the pay request ($55,040.18 as stated in the pay request announcement) and approved a change order described in the record as "91,057" with a related change of approximately $40,000 explained by staff as arising from an adjustment to project hydraulics and prior use of ARPA funds. Staff said the county had applied for a loan of up to $1,200,000 but had borrowed about $600,000 to date; the additional change order funds would be covered from the loan proceeds or loan interest and repaid over time from sewer receipts. Commissioners approved release of the retainage after staff said answers had been received about why the system had not been operating as planned.

The board approved a request from the sheriff's office related to the Allen Creek project and the appropriation of funds to the capital improvement fund for that project. County staff reported that the county vehicle for one department had been returned after repairs and that office renovations and flooring work are progressing.

Throughout the session, commissioners expressed appreciation for departing staff. Commissioner Mason and Commissioner Abraham both spoke in praise of Brent Russell's service; staff said an internal posting for the planning and zoning director position is open this week and will be opened to the public only if no internal candidates apply.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes (regular session 03/31/2025): motion passed (roll call recorded as affirmative by commissioners present). - Approval of bills numbered 1'22: approved. - Appropriation of certified unappropriated funds for the MCAT fund: approved. - Approval to use opioid settlement funds (general authorization) and appropriation to opioid account for online training: approved. - Proclamation designating April as Child Abuse Prevention Month: adopted (roll call recorded as affirmative by commissioners present). The proclamation cited "69 reports" and "375 children" investigated in 2024 and referenced Amended House Bill 165. - Receipt of resignation of Brent Russell, planning and zoning director: motion to table action was moved; transcript records discussion and a motion to defer "till next year." Final recorded disposition in the transcript is not clearly audibly resolved; staff announced internal posting and said the county will open applications publicly if no internal candidate applies. - Approval of change order (described in the meeting as $91,057 and an approximate $40,000 incremental change) and approval of pay request No. 17 (retainage $55,040.18): both approved. - Approval of sheriff's office call (Robert Jackson) and related appropriation to the capital improvement fund (Allen Creek project): approved.

Speakers cited in the meeting record include Commissioner Mason (Commissioner, Morrow County Board of Commissioners), Commissioner Abraham (Commissioner, Morrow County Board of Commissioners), Commissioner Siegfried (Commissioner, Morrow County Board of Commissioners), Brent Russell (Planning and Zoning Director, Morrow County), Robert Jackson (Sheriff's Office representative), Kyle Leo (county staff member), Cheryl (county staff member), and Steven (county staff member). Quotes and attributions in this article are limited to statements and document text recorded in the meeting transcript or read aloud as part of the proclamation.

Why it matters: The board's appropriation of opioid settlement funds for training and the capital approvals affect county budgets and ongoing infrastructure projects; the planning and zoning director vacancy will affect development permitting and staff capacity pending an internal recruitment and any future external hiring.

Next steps and follow-up: Staff indicated the planning and zoning director position is being posted internally this week; if no internal applicants come forward, the county will open the position to the public. The county will proceed with the approved payments and change order work; staff said loan proceeds and sewer receipts will be used to cover the adjusted project costs.