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Committee reelects leadership, approves minutes and financial report; members note low application rates
Summary
The Sandusky Boards & Commissions elected Allen Nichols chair and Paul Cook vice chair, approved minutes from May 13, 2025 and the financial report showing $769,626 available as of March 10, 2026; members raised concerns about low applicant interest and discussed a possible special meeting for a large pending request.
Members of the Sandusky Boards & Commissions conducted routine housekeeping at the March 10, 2026 meeting, including elections, approval of minutes and a financial update, and discussed outreach after noting relatively few applications for economic assistance.
Chair Allen Nichols led roll call and the committee voted to excuse Abby Bemis after staff reported she had called to say she could not attend. A motion nominated Allen Nichols as chair and Paul Cook as vice chair; members present voted to confirm the nominations.
The committee approved minutes from the May 13, 2025 meeting by motion and voice vote.
Kylie, a staff member, presented the financial update and told the committee a corrected report showed an unexpected balance of about $1,139,000 as of 12/31/2025; after accounting for open purchase orders (including roughly $550,000 for Osborne School and $250,000 for the TOF Dairy project) and a new 2026 allocation of $500,000, available funds were $769,626 as of March 10, 2026. Staff also noted an open 2026 PO of $70,000 to the Greater Sandusky Partnership.
Several committee members said they are not receiving many applications despite the available funds. One member suggested potential applicants view the five-year monitoring requirement for small loans as onerous; staff said some applicants do not want to take additional debt or lack a financing gap, and that two applications are currently in the pipeline, one of which could require a special meeting in April if ready.
The committee voted to designate Sally Martin to sit in for Michelle Reeder for today’s meeting after discussing Michelle’s appointment and absence. The meeting adjourned after a motion to adjourn passed by voice vote.
The committee scheduled its next regular meeting for May 12, and staff said they could call a special meeting if a time-sensitive application needs review before then.
