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Williams County commissioners elect leaders for 2026, approve routine annual resolutions and contracts
Summary
The Williams County Board of Commissioners reorganized its leadership for 2026, set meeting schedules and holidays, approved appointments and contracts — including an internet surplus‑auction policy — and held an executive session on employment with no action taken.
The Williams County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 6 reorganized its leadership for the 2026 year, approved a slate of routine annual resolutions covering meeting schedules, holidays and committee appointments, and signed several contracts and administrative delegations.
Scott A. Lirot was elected President of the Board and Bartley E. Westfall was elected Vice President; Terry N. Rummel remains the third commissioner. The Board voted unanimously to set its regular 2026 sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:00 a.m., adopt a holiday schedule for county offices and appoint members to county and regional boards, including the Department of Aging advisory committee.
The meeting included approval of administrative delegations: the County Administrator was authorized to approve certain vouchers, payroll and transfers when the Board does not meet, with the clerk or deputy clerk designated to perform those duties in the administrator’s absence. Commissioners also named Ron Buda as the county’s Prevailing Wage Coordinator and appointed Todd Roth as Williams County Sanitary Engineer for 2026 (services not to exceed $19,000 for the term).
On contracts and program approvals, the Board authorized two IV‑E child‑placement contracts for Williams County Job & Family Services: a contract with the National Youth Advocate Program with a maximum payable amount of $35,000 (Jan. 1–June 30, 2026) and a smaller contract with Inner Peace Homes, Inc., up to $5,000 (same term). Commissioners also approved a lease agreement to provide office space to Cancer Assistance of Williams County at 1425 E. High Street for $308.35 per month with a 3% annual increase through Dec. 31, 2030.
A substantive administrative policy adopted at the meeting establishes procedures to sell county surplus property through an internet auction platform (the county will contract with GovDeals). The policy sets a five‑day prelisting window for other public entities, a 15‑day public listing period, a 10‑business‑day removal window for buyers, acceptable payment forms, and a 20% nonrefundable down‑payment option for purchases totaling $5,000 or more. The policy also addresses vehicle‑title handling, buyer default remedies and data‑destruction requirements for county computers.
On conduct and transparency, commissioners adopted meeting‑notification procedures required under Ohio law and standing rules for public conduct at board sessions, including a standard three‑minute limit for public comment and guidelines for recording devices and laptop placement to avoid disrupting the official record.
Commissioners voted to enter an executive session under Ohio Revised Code 121.22(G)(1) to discuss employment matters. The Board reconvened at 10:20 a.m. and announced there was no action taken in executive session before adjourning.
“We are in general session,” Clerk Anne M. Retcher opened the meeting; later, President Scott A. Lirot said, “This is SO confusing. I’m not in the right spot,” during the reorganization process as the Board confirmed officer appointments.
Votes at a glance: - Resolution 26‑0001 (approve Dec. 18, 2025 minutes): Motion by Bartley E. Westfall; second Terry N. Rummel. Vote: Westfall yes, Lirot yes, Rummel yes — Motion carried. - Resolution 26‑0002 (approve agenda as amended to add exec session): Motion by Terry N. Rummel; second Bartley E. Westfall. Vote: unanimous — Motion carried. - Resolution 26‑0003 (organization/election of officers): Motion by Bartley E. Westfall; second Terry N. Rummel. Vote: unanimous — Motion carried. - Resolutions 26‑0004 through 26‑0026 (meeting days/time; holidays; rules; committee appointments; authority delegations; engineer authorities; appointments; contracts; leases and other items noted above): all moved, seconded and adopted by unanimous roll‑call votes as recorded in the minutes.
What happens next: the county administrator and clerk will implement the delegated authorities when the Board is not in session; Job & Family Services will execute the approved IV‑E contracts for the first half of 2026; the county’s internet‑auction policy will be posted and GovDeals will be engaged to manage surplus sales. The Board did not take any personnel action following executive session.
