Seneca County commissioners approve supplemental appropriations, interdepartmental contract and appointments
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Summary
The Board of Commissioners approved two supplemental appropriations (a $9,650 sheriff equipment allotment and a $219,634.50 youth center capital appropriation), authorized routine interdepartmental contracts and appointments including an annual 4‑D service contract and an EMS medical-direction agreement (pending prosecutor approval), and approved compensation for special counsel not to exceed $275,000.
Seneca County commissioners approved a set of budget and policy items during their meeting, including two supplemental appropriations, several routine resolutions and an appointment.
On new business, the board approved two supplemental appropriations: $9,650 to the general fund for sheriff's office equipment (funds donated to purchase a drone) and $219,634.50 from the county capital projects fund to cover intercoms, door controls and cameras at the youth center. A commissioner moved to approve the appropriations and the board recorded affirmative roll‑call votes.
County staff presented a resolution authorizing the annual 4‑D service contract among Seneca County Common Pleas Court 1, Common Pleas Court 2, the juvenile clerk, juvenile magistrate, clerk of courts and the sheriff's office on behalf of the Seneca County Department of Job and Family Services. Staff described the contract as a recurring, federally funded agreement that provides eligible services for participating departments for the period Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2026; the board approved the resolution by roll call.
The board also approved a resolution (pending prosecutor approval) to enter an agreement with University Hospital Health System, Inc. to provide medical‑direction services for Seneca County EMS effective April 1, 2026. Commissioners recorded the motion and took roll call, and staff noted the final agreement is subject to prosecutor sign‑off.
An appointment resolution naming Barrett Zimmerman as Seneca County area inspector was presented and approved by the board. Commissioners also approved a resolution establishing compensation for special counsel retained by the Seneca County General Health District in 2026 (for Jack Van Clay) with a total not to exceed $275,000; staff explained the prosecutor must approve the arrangement because it exceeds the prosecutor’s salary and is processed through the courts for transparency.
In older business, commissioners noted a collaborative law‑enforcement grant award to Tiffin University totaling approximately $460,000 to support a joint program with the sheriff and police chief; the board thanked Congressman Latta’s office for assistance in securing the grant.
County administrator remarks included an update on the county audit and IT work (a recent firewall replacement), and staff shared a Department of Transportation notice about a proposed roundabout at State Route 12 and County Road 592: a virtual public meeting and comment period is open through Feb. 28, with right‑of‑way acquisition planned this summer and construction targeted for April–August 2028.
Public comment was brief; Jim Distill introduced himself and said he filed a petition to run for Seneca County commissioner on the Republican primary ballot for May 5. The meeting then adjourned.