Lucas County commissioners proclaim April National County Government Month and honor 9-1-1 telecommunicators

The Lucas County Board of Commissioners on April 14 proclaimed April 2026 National County Government Month and used the occasion to spotlight county services and ask residents to support funding for essential operations.

Chair (speaker 1) led the proclamation and enumerated county accomplishments from 2025, noting that the county’s Water Resource Recovery Facility treated billions of gallons of water and the Division of Child Support collected $44,100,000. The Chair said county government touches many services "from water to elections to mental health services" and framed the proclamation as recognition of behind‑the‑scenes staff.

A commissioner (speaker 4) added that Lucas County employs nearly 3,000 people and has led locally on issues including criminal justice reform, water quality and homelessness abatement. He warned of a policy push that could erode county funding tied to property taxes and urged residents to "talk to your friends and neighbors" and vote to preserve services.

The board also proclaimed April 12–18, 2026, as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Stacy Mitchell (speaker 8) and other dispatch staff and union representatives joined commissioners at the podium. Mitchell and Ralph (speaker 9) described operations: 911 dispatchers in Lucas County answer roughly 490,000 calls per year (about 1,300 daily) and dispatch for 18 police departments and 13 fire departments. Mitchell thanked commissioners and emphasized the stress and skill involved in dispatch work.

The board combined a proclamation and a resolution recognizing telecommunicators as first responders and approved both by roll call. Commissioners presented proclamations and posed for photos with staff.

The meeting minutes show the board used the ceremonial recognition to draw attention to an operating levy for 9‑1‑1 services on the ballot and encouraged early voting to support continued funding.