Hancock County commissioners approve appropriations, grounds contracts and new landfill card payments

Hancock County Commissioners Timothy Bechtol and William Bateson met on March 24, 2026, and approved a series of budget appropriations, vendor contracts and administrative resolutions affecting county operations.

The board approved several additional appropriations: $12,575.17 to the Severance Fund (Fund #2136), $6,187.50 to the Ditch Maintenance Fund (Fund #2004) and $10,160.94 to the General Fund (Prosecutor, #1001). Each appropriation was presented by the clerk and passed on a 2-0 vote (motion by Commissioner William Bateson; second by Commissioner Tim Bechtol).

Under purchasing and contracts, Phil Johnson presented and the board approved multiple vendor agreements. Resolution No. 198-26 authorized weekly mowing and intermittent services at county property at 401 Olive Street with Pleasant View Lawn & Landscape, Inc., with an estimated seasonal cost of $3,400. Resolution No. 199-26 authorized mowing and lawn care at the Hancock County Courthouse and Judicial Center with Pleasant View (estimated seasonal cost $4,645). Resolution No. 200-26 authorized a contract with Point-n-Pay, LLC to accept debit and credit-card payments at the Hancock County Landfill; transactions will carry a fee of 1.75% or a $2.00 minimum per transaction. Resolution No. 201-26 authorized an agreement with Ohio Machinery Co. d/b/a Ohio CAT for preventative maintenance on five county-owned generators at an annual cost of $5,828.

Lynn Taylor, presenting in the absence of Cindy Land, brought forward Resolution No. 196-26, authorizing a 2026 IV-D agreement between the Hancock County Child Support Enforcement Agency and the Hancock County Common Pleas Court, Domestic Relations Division; and Resolution No. 197-26, which rescinded a prior change order (Resolution No. 144-26) related to a 2025 Hancock County Ditch Maintenance Project because the contractor completed the work with no cost adjustments. Both were approved 2-0.

Phil Johnson also presented a modified subgrant agreement (Resolution No. 203-26) with the Greater Ohio Workforce Board Inc. to receive WIOA funding for program years 2026–2027; minor revisions required the modification and the board approved the change 2-0.

Auditor Charity Rauschenberg reported she is working with the Treasurer's Office on settlements and cautioned that the cash balance will appear relatively high until settlements are distributed. She urged the board to monitor additional appropriation requests, noted the Auditor's Office is tracking late charge payments on county credit cards and is monitoring fraud issues. She also said one tax-increment financing (TIF) note will be paid off early; the amount was not specified in the meeting record.

In brief reports, Commissioner Timothy Bechtol noted attendance at a Support Our Troops rally and at candidate forums; Commissioner William Bateson reported participation in an Elected Officials meeting and work with the Village of Arlington on litter and recycling pickups. Phil Johnson said he provided a homeowner form to enable pickup activity.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution No. 192-26 (Payment of listed/attached Purchase Orders): mover William Bateson; second Tim Bechtol; outcome: approved 2-0. - Resolution No. 193-26 (Appropriate $12,575.17 to Severance Fund #2136): mover William Bateson; second Tim Bechtol; outcome: approved 2-0. - Resolution No. 194-26 (Appropriate $6,187.50 to Ditch Maintenance Fund #2004): mover William Bateson; second Tim Bechtol; outcome: approved 2-0. - Resolution No. 195-26 (Appropriate $10,160.94 to General Fund #1001 Prosecutor): mover William Bateson; second Tim Bechtol; outcome: approved 2-0. - Resolution No. 196-26 (2026 IV-D agreement between CSEA and Hancock County Common Pleas Court, Domestic Relations): mover William Bateson; second Tim Bechtol; outcome: approved 2-0. - Resolution No. 197-26 (Rescind Change Order No. 2 for NWO Property Services LLC regarding 2025 ditch maintenance project): mover William Bateson; second Tim Bechtol; outcome: approved 2-0. - Resolution No. 198-26 (Contract with Pleasant View Lawn & Landscape for 401 Olive St., est. $3,400): mover William Bateson; second Tim Bechtol; outcome: approved 2-0. - Resolution No. 199-26 (Contract with Pleasant View Lawn & Landscape for courthouse/Judicial Center, est. $4,645): mover William Bateson; second Tim Bechtol; outcome: approved 2-0. - Resolution No. 200-26 (Point-n-Pay card payments at landfill — 1.75% fee or $2 min): mover William Bateson; second Tim Bechtol; outcome: approved 2-0. - Resolution No. 201-26 (Ohio Machinery Co./Ohio CAT preventative maintenance on five generators — $5,828 annually): mover William Bateson; second Tim Bechtol; outcome: approved 2-0. - Resolution No. 203-26 (Modified WIOA subgrant agreement with Greater Ohio Workforce Board Inc.): mover William Bateson; second Tim Bechtol; outcome: approved 2-0.

The board reviewed meeting minutes and adjourned after routine reports. No votes failed or were tabled during the session.