Waterville approves amendment to Lucas County health-district operating agreement; city to pay $16,208.37 annually for five years

The Waterville City Council approved Resolution 30-25 on Sept. 22 to amend the Lucas County Regional Combined Health District operating agreement so the district can finance the purchase and renovation of a new facility.

City staff said the amendment extends the operating agreement term to permit financing of roughly $5.8 million in capital costs and that the health district will repay the loan over five years. Waterville’s share, as stated in the meeting packet, is $16,208.37 per year for five years; staff said the city will pay that amount out of its real-estate settlement proceeds, as it does now for health-district support.

John (city staff) said the City of Toledo will continue to provide in-kind services to the health district while it moves and for the subsequent five years. The staff presentation said the amendment makes the term change required so the district can seek the financing and complete the purchase and renovation.

Motion and vote: Council member Mary Duncan moved passage of Resolution 30-25; John Rosick seconded. When the council called for the vote, the ayes were recorded except for one dissent. Council member Wayne cast the sole “no” vote; the resolution otherwise passed.

Why it matters: staff described deteriorating conditions at the health district’s current building and said the amended agreement will let the district secure financing and a new facility. Council members raised questions about oversight and use of the new building; one councilor sought assurance the county would not repurpose the building for other county priorities.

Ending: The council approved the amendment and staff said they will host the health-district executive director at a future meeting to explain the plan in detail.