Tuscarawas County commissioners approve $3.8 million in interfund transfers, $74,000 MOU with sheriff; proclaim Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

Tuscarawas County commissioners on March 2 approved a package of financial moves that shifted $3,811,875.95 from the county general fund into a series of grants, reserves and capital accounts, the board's minutes show.

The transfers, approved as recommended by the State Auditor, included $1,360,055.04 to the Jail Operations Grant, $153,360.05 to the Community Corrections Grant, $591,629.00 to a distribution sales tax transfer, $1,000,000 to capital projects and $500,000 to the county's insurance trust, among other line items. Commissioners voted unanimously on the interfund transfer resolution.

The meeting also authorized a $74,000 memorandum of understanding between the Board of Commissioners and the Tuscarawas County Sheriff's Office; the agreement was approved as to form by Kristine Beard, Assistant County Prosecutor. Separately, the board approved payment of $303,398.26 in bills to vendors across multiple funds, including a $20,000 disbursement to Pitney Bowes Bank Inc. and an $81,405.80 payment to Tritech Software Systems.

Other routine actions included a $30,000 supplemental appropriation to EMA (a Kimble Foundation donation), a $3,500 intra-department transfer to cover an insurance premium, and approval of a travel request for EMA staff to attend the Ohio School Safety Summit June 1—3 in Sandusky at an estimated cost of $810.

The board declared one Dell laptop obsolete and directed IT to wipe its memory before disposal, citing Ohio Revised Code 307.12(I). Commissioners also approved the $74,000 MOU with the sheriff's office and a series of then-&-now expenditures and vendor payments listed in the minutes.

During other business, Commissioner Greg Ress offered a brief statement about ongoing international events, saying, "Our thoughts and prayers are with our troops and everyone involved in the strike against Iran. Hopefully everything works out and this ends quickly." The board then approved a proclamation designating March 2026 as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month; Kerri Silverthorn, Community Relations/Special Projects Director for the Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and several TuscBDD representatives attended for the proclamation reading.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 152-2026 (approve minutes): moved by Commissioner Mitch Pace, seconded by Commissioner Greg Ress; vote: Zemis yes, Ress yes, Pace yes; outcome: approved. - Resolution 153-2026 (then & now expenditures): approved unanimously; outcome: approved. - Resolution 154-2026 (supplemental appropriations): $30,000 to EMA (Kimble Foundation donation); outcome: approved. - Resolution 155-2026 (transfer of funds): $3,500 intra-department EMA transfer; outcome: approved. - Resolution 156-2026 (inter-fund transfers/advances): listed transfers totaling $3,811,875.95; outcome: approved. - Resolution 157-2026 (out-of-county travel): EMA travel approved (Jenn James, Kami Stanley); outcome: approved. - Resolution 158-2026 (obsolete property): Dell laptop declared obsolete; outcome: approved. - Resolution 159-2026 (MOU Tuscarawas County Sheriff's Office): $74,000 MOU approved; outcome: approved. - Resolution 160-2026 (pay bills): vendor payments totaling $303,398.26; outcome: approved. - Resolution 161-2026 (proclamation): March 2026 proclaimed Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month; outcome: approved.

The meeting record lists each motion, the mover and seconder when given, and unanimous votes on recorded items. No contested or divided votes were recorded in the minutes; most items were routine approvals. The board adjourned after the scheduled business.