Auglaize County commissioners approve routine resolutions, review Brownfield and grant applications

President David Bambauer and the Auglaize County Board of Commissioners met in regular session Dec. 2 and Vice‑President John N. Bergman presided on Dec. 4 as the board handled routine business and several staff briefings.

The board approved a set of resolutions and signed day‑of documents after motions by Commissioner Douglas A. Spencer, seconded by Commissioner John N. Bergman. County Administrator Erica L. Preston presented updates on personnel and facilities, including interviews for the Clerk position and a Maintenance Supervisor recommendation to hire Cotterman & Company Inc. for roof repairs at Auglaize Industries. The board also recorded the planned acceptance of Treasurer April E. Bowersock’s retirement in the Dec. 2 materials.

Why it matters: the actions and presentations update administration of county services and advance several grant and procurement steps that could affect county facilities, environmental remediation efforts and solid waste programs.

At the Dec. 2 session the board reviewed and approved the minutes of Nov. 25 and then were presented with draft resolutions scheduled for the Dec. 4 meeting. Administrator Erica L. Preston told commissioners about a proposed solar‑camera solution for the Kruse property, a funding request from the group Back the Blue, and an outstanding lead abatement issue that may require future funding or action.

On Dec. 4 the commissioners signed the check register and again moved to approve resolutions as presented. Clerk Brenda Holtzapple read the Dec. 2 minutes, which the board approved. Preston briefed the board on an alley plowing issue by the Administration Building, a bill from Juvenile Court, and a recommended renewal of the commercial lease with Auglaize Industries that staff proposed include a 5% rent increase for a three‑year term. She also reviewed a potential Brownfield residence matter and encouraged pursuit of Ohio Department of Development Brownfield Remediation Program funding.

The board held its scheduled quarterly investment meeting with the treasurer, and county staff hosted a VALU Class during the lunch hour. Preston also raised a policy matter related to tipping during county business travel and discussed the Solid Waste Management District’s plan to apply for the Ohio EPA Recycle Ohio Grant in 2026.

Resolutions and items presented (selected): - Dec. 2 materials included Res. #25‑599 (amending the annual appropriation), #25‑600 (ratifying a lateral position change for Faith Christy at Job and Family Services), #25‑601 (authorizing budget adjustments), #25‑602 (authorizing payment of the county’s mandated share of public assistance for December), #25‑603 (ratifying a detention contract with Miami County for juvenile offenders), #25‑604 and #25‑605 (authorizing reimbursements between ditch and MVGT/maintenance funds), #25‑606 (accepting the retirement of Treasurer April E. Bowersock), #25‑607 (adopting the Uniform Guidance Procedure Plan), and #25‑608 (authorizing a change order for carpet/tile at the BMV via Mel’s Decorating). - Dec. 4 materials presented for the Dec. 9 agenda included Res. #25‑609 (authorizing CDW‑G quotes for a SUPERMICRO server and Microsoft Windows Server Datacenter license under the Ohio STS RSC024735 contract), #25‑610 (authorizing a PerryProtech quote for Microsoft SQL 2022 Server Standard renewal for the sheriff’s Beacon project), #25‑611 through #25‑612 (budget adjustments and then‑and‑now certificates), #25‑613 through #25‑615 (submittal of Brownfield remediation grant applications to the Ohio Department of Development and selection of CTL Engineering Inc. for professional services), #25‑616 (authorizing the Solid Waste District coordinator to apply to Ohio EPA for the 2026 Recycle Ohio grant and authorizing the board president to execute the grant agreement), and #25‑617 (accepting the Cotterman & Company Inc. quote for roofing at Auglaize Industries).

No public testimony or contested votes were recorded in the minutes. The actions recorded were primarily motions to approve distributed resolutions and presentations of draft resolutions and grant applications for future meetings. The minutes do not include individual roll‑call tallies for the listed resolutions beyond noting that documents were distributed for each commissioner’s vote and execution.

What’s next: several of the items presented in these sessions—Brownfield remediation applications, the Recycle Ohio grant application, IT hardware and license renewals, and the Auglaize Industries roofing contract—are scheduled for future consideration or execution per the resolutions listed on the Dec. 4 agenda. The board adjourned both meetings at midday (Dec. 2 at 12:00 p.m.; Dec. 4 at 12:05 p.m.).