Commissioners discuss Extension, HCSO patrol cars
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Highland County commissioners Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Gary Heaton discussed a potential multi-county proposal for the Ohio State University Extension program during their Oct. 13 board meeting.
Representatives from Adams and Brown counties attended the meeting. No action was taken.
Commissioners also discussed making improvements in the form of electric hookup to the modular building at the Highland County Dog Pound.
Sheriff Ron Ward requested no more than $2,000 for the utility installation. He said the pound volunteers have raised approximately $1,000. The additional money would come from the dog and kennel fund. No general fund money would be used.
Commissioners approved the request by a 3-0 vote.
Commissioner Gary Heaton also asked the sheriff about the condition of the department's cruisers.
"We haven't purchased a new cruiser in three years," Ward said. "Several cars have over 200,000 miles on them. There's an issue of safety and maintenance. You start getting into higher dollar maintenance issues like transmissions and major engine repair."
Commissioner Tom Horst asked Ward to provide an evaluation of the department's current fleet and see what might be needed for 2011.
"I was thinking for the next budget to plan for three cars," Heaton said.
"Two or three cars would make great strides for us," Ward said.
Commissioners sent several correspondences, including:
• An Oct. 13 letter to Highland County Children Services Director Wendy Jacobs, as follows:
"Dear Wendy,
During our meeting on September 29, you stated that the anticipated carryover for 2011 is $450,000. This is a very large carryover for a budget in distress only one year prior. I am interested to know how you calculated this amount.
Please provide this office with the information used for your calculations. In addition, I would like to see a list of outstanding loans, as well as the balance and terms of the loans. If you have unpaid invoices or contracts (such as foster care), I would like to see a list of those that includes the balance due."
• An Oct. 13 letter to Greenfield City Manager Betty Bishop:
"Dear Betty,
The Highland County Board of Commissioners supports your efforts to obtain funding from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for the Green Field Alternative Energy Resource and Education Center to erect 8 to 11 wind turbines in the Greenfield Industrial Park on Lovers Lane. Your plan to create a green energy source and an educational center is innovative and challenging. The high unemployment rate in Greenfield and Highland County, the availability of a development site, and opportunities afforded by existing technology make this an attractive project.
We urge the EDA to support the Green Field Energy project with grant funding that will create jobs, energy, and a brighter future for the City of Greenfield and Highland County."
• An Oct. 13 letter to Greenfield City Manager Betty Bishop:
"Dear Betty,
The Highland County Board of Commissioners supports your efforts to obtain funding from the Federal Railroad Relocation and Improvement Grant to repair the rail line owned by the City of Greenfield. The rehabilitation of the tracks, bridges, and crossings will ensure the continuation of rail service to Highland County industry, namely Candle-lite and Huhtamaki.
Highland County is facing an economic challenge of enormous proportions. Your project will help to retain jobs and encourage economic growth, which is instrumental for our recovery. We urge the Federal Railroad Relocation and Improvement Grant to fund this important project to secure the future of local industry in Highland County."
RESOLUTIONS
In other action, the board of commissioners passed the following resolutions by 3-0 votes:
• The Board authorized law enforcement with the proper jurisdiction to impound unattended items left on and around county property in the interest of public safety and local security, as well as federal Homeland Security. The said Board also authorizes law enforcement with the property jurisdiction to remove anyone loitering on or around county property.
• The authorization of additional appropriation to the General Fund, Board of Elections, as follows; from Unappropriated funds to Contracts & Services in the amount of $479.50. The additional funds are a result of a settlement from Premier Election Solutions on the voting machines. The settlement is $6,317.50 and the balance ($5,838) will be appropriated by the commissioners (see Resolutions Nos. 10-263 and 10-309).
• The authorization of additional appropriation to the General Fund, Commissioners, as follows: from Unappropriated funds to Commissioners, Other Expense, in the amount of $13,000. The additional funds are a result of a reimbursement from the State of Ohio for the Special Election held on July 13, 2010. For reference, see Resolutions Nos. 10-263 and 10-309.
• The authorization of additional appropriation to the Community Corrections budget and transfer to Community Probation Dept. Serv. as follows: from Unappropriated funds to Community Corrections, in the amount of $13,890.96; and transfer from Advances Out to Community Probation Dept. Serv. in the amount of $13,890.96. This transfer repays an earlier advance.
• The appointment of John Fittro (to replace Denise Fauber) to the Board of Developmental Disabilities to serve the term from Oct. 1, 2010 to Sept. 30, 2013.
• The acceptance of the resignation of Denise Fauber from the Board of Developmental Disabilities, effective Sept. 30, 2010.
• The authorization of a modification to the Board of Mental Retardation fund as follows: from Travel & Expense to State Teachers Retirement System, in the amount of $1,500; and Travel & Expense to Medicare, in the amount of $1,100.
• The authorization of additional appropriation to the Board of Mental Retardation fund as follows: from Unappropriated funds to Supplies, in the amount of $5,330; to Equipment, in the amount of $27,500; to Contracts & Services, in the amount of $47,000; and to PERS, in the amount of $10,000, for total additional appropriation of $89,830.
• The authorization of additional appropriation to the CAO Housing Rehabilitation budget as follows: from Unappropriated funds to Expenses, in the amount of $13,000. The additional funds are from the CHIP grant.
• The authorization of additional appropriation to the Victim Witness budget as follows: from Unappropriated funds to Cell Phone Bank, in the amount of $33.50.
• The authorization of the Sept. 2010 mandated distribution of Child Support Enforcement Agency Administrative Account funds to the Public Assistance Account as follows: from Child Support, Reimbursement - Stimulus, to Public Assistance, in the amount of $18,813.06.
• The authorization of a modification to the General Fund as follows: from Commissioners, Other Expense, to Maintenance & Operations Supplies, in the amount of $383.19.
• The authorization of a modification to the Rocky Fork Lake Sewer fund as follows: from Repairs, to Supplies, in the amount of $5,000.
• The authorization of a modification to the General Fund, TEC, as follows: from Commissioners, Other Expense, to TEC Supplies, in the amount of $730.40.
• The authorization of the creation of a new fund to be known as Spay-Neuter Program, in addition, appropriated Other Expense in the amount of $1,800.
• The reappointment of Dan Cowdrey and John Garrison and the new appointment of Darrell Wilson (to replace Virginia Hope) to the Highland County Airport Authority. The terms of all the appointments are Oct. 1, 2010 through Sept. 30, 2013.
• The authorization of a modification to the Engineer's budget as follows: from Contracts-Projects to Other Expense, in the amount of $20,000; and Contracts-Projects to Materials in the amount of $8,000.
• The Board granted the president of said board the authority to enter into a contract for the sale of approximately two (2) acres of land in the Leesburg Industrial Park.
• The authorization of a modification to the Help Me Grow fund as follows: from Insurance to Contracts & Services Part C, in the amount of $3,000.
• The authorization of a modification to the Help Me Grow Fund as follows: from Insurance to Medicare, in the amount of $500, and to OPERS, in the amount of $5,500, for a total of $6,000.[[In-content Ad]]
Representatives from Adams and Brown counties attended the meeting. No action was taken.
Commissioners also discussed making improvements in the form of electric hookup to the modular building at the Highland County Dog Pound.
Sheriff Ron Ward requested no more than $2,000 for the utility installation. He said the pound volunteers have raised approximately $1,000. The additional money would come from the dog and kennel fund. No general fund money would be used.
Commissioners approved the request by a 3-0 vote.
Commissioner Gary Heaton also asked the sheriff about the condition of the department's cruisers.
"We haven't purchased a new cruiser in three years," Ward said. "Several cars have over 200,000 miles on them. There's an issue of safety and maintenance. You start getting into higher dollar maintenance issues like transmissions and major engine repair."
Commissioner Tom Horst asked Ward to provide an evaluation of the department's current fleet and see what might be needed for 2011.
"I was thinking for the next budget to plan for three cars," Heaton said.
"Two or three cars would make great strides for us," Ward said.
Commissioners sent several correspondences, including:
• An Oct. 13 letter to Highland County Children Services Director Wendy Jacobs, as follows:
"Dear Wendy,
During our meeting on September 29, you stated that the anticipated carryover for 2011 is $450,000. This is a very large carryover for a budget in distress only one year prior. I am interested to know how you calculated this amount.
Please provide this office with the information used for your calculations. In addition, I would like to see a list of outstanding loans, as well as the balance and terms of the loans. If you have unpaid invoices or contracts (such as foster care), I would like to see a list of those that includes the balance due."
• An Oct. 13 letter to Greenfield City Manager Betty Bishop:
"Dear Betty,
The Highland County Board of Commissioners supports your efforts to obtain funding from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for the Green Field Alternative Energy Resource and Education Center to erect 8 to 11 wind turbines in the Greenfield Industrial Park on Lovers Lane. Your plan to create a green energy source and an educational center is innovative and challenging. The high unemployment rate in Greenfield and Highland County, the availability of a development site, and opportunities afforded by existing technology make this an attractive project.
We urge the EDA to support the Green Field Energy project with grant funding that will create jobs, energy, and a brighter future for the City of Greenfield and Highland County."
• An Oct. 13 letter to Greenfield City Manager Betty Bishop:
"Dear Betty,
The Highland County Board of Commissioners supports your efforts to obtain funding from the Federal Railroad Relocation and Improvement Grant to repair the rail line owned by the City of Greenfield. The rehabilitation of the tracks, bridges, and crossings will ensure the continuation of rail service to Highland County industry, namely Candle-lite and Huhtamaki.
Highland County is facing an economic challenge of enormous proportions. Your project will help to retain jobs and encourage economic growth, which is instrumental for our recovery. We urge the Federal Railroad Relocation and Improvement Grant to fund this important project to secure the future of local industry in Highland County."
RESOLUTIONS
In other action, the board of commissioners passed the following resolutions by 3-0 votes:
• The Board authorized law enforcement with the proper jurisdiction to impound unattended items left on and around county property in the interest of public safety and local security, as well as federal Homeland Security. The said Board also authorizes law enforcement with the property jurisdiction to remove anyone loitering on or around county property.
• The authorization of additional appropriation to the General Fund, Board of Elections, as follows; from Unappropriated funds to Contracts & Services in the amount of $479.50. The additional funds are a result of a settlement from Premier Election Solutions on the voting machines. The settlement is $6,317.50 and the balance ($5,838) will be appropriated by the commissioners (see Resolutions Nos. 10-263 and 10-309).
• The authorization of additional appropriation to the General Fund, Commissioners, as follows: from Unappropriated funds to Commissioners, Other Expense, in the amount of $13,000. The additional funds are a result of a reimbursement from the State of Ohio for the Special Election held on July 13, 2010. For reference, see Resolutions Nos. 10-263 and 10-309.
• The authorization of additional appropriation to the Community Corrections budget and transfer to Community Probation Dept. Serv. as follows: from Unappropriated funds to Community Corrections, in the amount of $13,890.96; and transfer from Advances Out to Community Probation Dept. Serv. in the amount of $13,890.96. This transfer repays an earlier advance.
• The appointment of John Fittro (to replace Denise Fauber) to the Board of Developmental Disabilities to serve the term from Oct. 1, 2010 to Sept. 30, 2013.
• The acceptance of the resignation of Denise Fauber from the Board of Developmental Disabilities, effective Sept. 30, 2010.
• The authorization of a modification to the Board of Mental Retardation fund as follows: from Travel & Expense to State Teachers Retirement System, in the amount of $1,500; and Travel & Expense to Medicare, in the amount of $1,100.
• The authorization of additional appropriation to the Board of Mental Retardation fund as follows: from Unappropriated funds to Supplies, in the amount of $5,330; to Equipment, in the amount of $27,500; to Contracts & Services, in the amount of $47,000; and to PERS, in the amount of $10,000, for total additional appropriation of $89,830.
• The authorization of additional appropriation to the CAO Housing Rehabilitation budget as follows: from Unappropriated funds to Expenses, in the amount of $13,000. The additional funds are from the CHIP grant.
• The authorization of additional appropriation to the Victim Witness budget as follows: from Unappropriated funds to Cell Phone Bank, in the amount of $33.50.
• The authorization of the Sept. 2010 mandated distribution of Child Support Enforcement Agency Administrative Account funds to the Public Assistance Account as follows: from Child Support, Reimbursement - Stimulus, to Public Assistance, in the amount of $18,813.06.
• The authorization of a modification to the General Fund as follows: from Commissioners, Other Expense, to Maintenance & Operations Supplies, in the amount of $383.19.
• The authorization of a modification to the Rocky Fork Lake Sewer fund as follows: from Repairs, to Supplies, in the amount of $5,000.
• The authorization of a modification to the General Fund, TEC, as follows: from Commissioners, Other Expense, to TEC Supplies, in the amount of $730.40.
• The authorization of the creation of a new fund to be known as Spay-Neuter Program, in addition, appropriated Other Expense in the amount of $1,800.
• The reappointment of Dan Cowdrey and John Garrison and the new appointment of Darrell Wilson (to replace Virginia Hope) to the Highland County Airport Authority. The terms of all the appointments are Oct. 1, 2010 through Sept. 30, 2013.
• The authorization of a modification to the Engineer's budget as follows: from Contracts-Projects to Other Expense, in the amount of $20,000; and Contracts-Projects to Materials in the amount of $8,000.
• The Board granted the president of said board the authority to enter into a contract for the sale of approximately two (2) acres of land in the Leesburg Industrial Park.
• The authorization of a modification to the Help Me Grow fund as follows: from Insurance to Contracts & Services Part C, in the amount of $3,000.
• The authorization of a modification to the Help Me Grow Fund as follows: from Insurance to Medicare, in the amount of $500, and to OPERS, in the amount of $5,500, for a total of $6,000.[[In-content Ad]]