Tuscarawas County commissioners approve appropriations and transfers, hire custodian and hold executive session on possible property acquisition

The Board of Commissioners of Tuscarawas County approved a series of budget and personnel actions during its March 9, 2026 regular meeting and recessed briefly into an executive session to discuss a possible property acquisition.

Commissioner Greg Ress moved and Commissioner Mitch Pace seconded Resolution 171-2026 to approve the minutes of the March 4, 2026 meeting; the motion passed unanimously with Commissioners Kristin Zemis, Greg Ress and Mitch Pace voting yes.

Under Resolution 172-2026 the board approved supplemental appropriations, including $5,000 for the County Planning Commission local share and $140,000 for Road & Bridge for land related to the County Road 62 bridge project. Commissioner Mitch Pace moved the measure, Commissioner Greg Ress seconded, and the resolution passed unanimously.

The board approved inter-fund transfers under Resolution 173-2026, moved by Commissioner Pace and seconded by Commissioner Ress. Transfers included $105,000 from County General to OCED – Building Improvement for the second quarter of 2026, $36,357.38 from County General to the Soil & Water Grant for the fourth quarter of 2026, and $9,130 from Regional Planning to County Planning. All three commissioners voted yes.

By Resolution 174-2026 the board approved Tuscarawas County Job & Family Services—ebruary 2026 monthly contracts as recommended by Veronica Spidell, JFS Director. Commissioner Greg Ress remarked that “every time Job & Family Services is brought up, it is refreshing to know where we are today versus two years ago,” and he added that Director Veronica Spidell is "doing a great job." Commissioners Pace and Ress moved and seconded the contracts; the vote was unanimous.

The board approved Resolution 175-2026 to hire Brock Jones as a full-time Custodial Worker II effective April 6, 2026 at a rate of $15.62 per hour. The resolution notes the classification is in the classified service pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code. The motion was moved by Commissioner Pace, seconded by Commissioner Ress, and approved by all three commissioners.

Commissioner Pace moved and Commissioner Ress seconded Resolution 176-2026 to change the March 11, 2026 meeting start time from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; Commissioner Kristin Zemis said the timing change would allow the commissioners to attend a public event together. The motion passed unanimously.

The board recessed at 10:05 a.m. and then moved into an executive session at 10:15 a.m. with County Engineer Doug Bachman to discuss a possible property acquisition. The executive session participants were Commissioners Kristin Zemis, Greg Ress and Mitch Pace and Doug Bachman. The board returned to regular session at 10:20 a.m.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 171-2026 (approve minutes) '01 for: Zemis, Ress, Pace; Resolution 172-2026 (supplemental appropriations) '01 for: Zemis, Ress, Pace; Resolution 173-2026 (inter-fund transfers) '01 for: Zemis, Ress, Pace; Resolution 174-2026 (JFS monthly contracts) '01 for: Zemis, Ress, Pace; Resolution 175-2026 (hire Custodial Worker II) '01 for: Zemis, Ress, Pace; Resolution 176-2026 (change meeting time) '01 for: Zemis, Ress, Pace; Resolutions 177-178-2026 (recess/executive session) '01 for: Zemis, Ress, Pace.

Next steps: The change to the March 11 meeting time will take effect as approved; no further public details were provided about the property discussed in executive session.