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Brown County commissioners approve modest supplemental appropriation, accept clerk resignation and appoint developmental-disabilities board member
Summary
At its March 9, 2026 meeting the Brown County Board of Commissioners approved routine minutes and a $1,902.64 supplemental appropriation for sheriff contract repairs, accepted Clerk Hannah Birchfield’s resignation effective March 20, authorized advertising for clerk applicants, opened bids for lawn and pest-control services, and appointed Bradley Cannon Jr. to the county Board of Developmental Disabilities.
The Brown County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on March 9, 2026, and completed a series of routine administrative actions, including a supplemental appropriation for sheriff contract repairs, personnel changes in the clerk’s office and a board appointment.
Commissioner Barry L. Woodruff moved to approve the minutes of the previous regular meeting and dispense with the oral reading; Commissioner Gordon Ellis seconded and the board recorded a unanimous roll-call vote. No members of the public attended the public-comment period.
The board approved a supplemental appropriation of $1,902.64 from fund 1000 CGF into account 1000-2000-52113 (Sheriff Contract Repair Services) to cover costs associated with an auto insurance claim. Commissioner Woodruff made the motion and Commissioner Ellis seconded; the minutes record the roll-call as yea for all commissioners.
On personnel matters, Commissioner Gordon Ellis moved to accept the resignation of Clerk Hannah Birchfield, effective March 20, 2026; Commissioner Woodruff seconded. The minutes include a roll-call entry listing "Mr. Woodruff, yea," and do not show the full recorded tally for the vote in the text provided.
Following that action the board entered executive session at 9:17 a.m. to discuss employment of public employees under Ohio Revised Code § 121.22(G)(1). County Administrator Sarah Beath and Clerk Hannah Birchfield were noted in attendance for the executive session. Commissioners exited executive session at 10:05 a.m.
The commissioners authorized advertising for applications for the Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners, a step consistent with the pending resignation. Commissioner Ellis moved to authorize the advertisement and Commissioner Woodruff seconded; the minutes show the motion carried on a roll-call vote.
The board conducted two bid openings to be decided at a later date. At 10:30 a.m. it opened bids for county lawn services; three timely bids were recorded: RC's Lawncare & Landscaping LLC (Russellville) at $585.00 per mowing; T & M Mowing (Georgetown) at $670.00 per mowing; and Four Kings Lawn Care, LLC (Georgetown) at $470.11 per mowing. At 10:45 a.m. the board opened bids for pest-control services; two bids were recorded, including pricing entries of $715.00 per month and $1,159.00 per quarter, and a separate line of $188.00 per month for the detention center. The minutes state the bids "will be reviewed and awarded at a later date."
Commissioner Woodruff moved to appoint Bradley Cannon Jr., of Aberdeen, Ohio, to a full term on the Brown County Board of Developmental Disabilities, recorded in the minutes as ending 12/3/2029; Commissioner Ellis seconded and the motion carried on a roll-call vote recorded as yea for the commissioners. The minutes show the appointment and the term as written in the record.
Commissioner Gordon Ellis moved to adjourn the meeting; Commissioner Woodruff seconded and the meeting was adjourned.
The minutes also note that on March 5, 2026, Commissioners Woodruff and Tony Applegate attended a Land Reutilization Corporation board meeting, and on March 9, 2026, the commissioners met with Mark Henriques from the E911 Communication Center for a department update. The board received and reviewed the monthly meal report from the Brown County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO). Several items recorded in the minutes — including bid awards and the completed vote tally on the clerk resignation — are to be reflected in future meeting records when finalized.
Votes at a glance - Approve previous minutes: motion by Commissioner Barry L. Woodruff; second by Commissioner Gordon Ellis; roll-call recorded as all yea. - Supplemental appropriation $1,902.64 for Sheriff Contract Repair Services: motion by Commissioner Barry L. Woodruff; second by Commissioner Gordon Ellis; roll-call recorded as all yea. - Accept resignation of Clerk Hannah Birchfield (effective March 20, 2026): motion by Commissioner Gordon Ellis; second by Commissioner Barry L. Woodruff; roll-call entry in the minutes shows "Mr. Woodruff, yea" and the full tally is not specified in the provided text. - Enter executive session under Ohio Revised Code § 121.22(G)(1) to discuss public-employee employment: motion by Commissioner Barry L. Woodruff; second by Commissioner Gordon Ellis; roll-call recorded as all yea; in attendance: County Administrator Sarah Beath and Clerk Hannah Birchfield. - Authorize advertisement for clerk applications: motion by Commissioner Gordon Ellis; second by Commissioner Barry L. Woodruff; roll-call recorded as all yea. - Bid openings for lawn services and pest control: bids opened and recorded; awards to be made later. - Appointment of Bradley Cannon Jr. to Board of Developmental Disabilities (term recorded as ending 12/3/2029): motion by Commissioner Barry L. Woodruff; second by Commissioner Gordon Ellis; roll-call recorded as all yea.
Next steps: the board will review the submitted bids and return at a later meeting to award contracts; the clerk position will be advertised following the board’s authorization. The minutes were approved March 11, 2026.
