Court security, COOP addressed
Lead Summary
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss updated commissioners Wednesday on a recent security report on the Highland County Courthouse.
At this week’s commission meeting, Coss said the Ohio Supreme Court report – which is not a public record due to security reasons – noticed the courthouse does not have anything posted at entrances regarding the possession of weapons inside the building. Coss also said the sign would specify that court security could conduct random searches.
“Anyone entering the courthouse is subject to a search and we need to make that a condition of entry,” the judge said.
The commissioners left the posting of signs to the judge’s discretion. The signs would be purchased through the court’s special projects fund, Coss said.
Coss also informed commissioners Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Gary Heaton of the need for a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP). “We need to plan for what we would do should a major event require that we vacate the building,” Coss said.
Coss said he has had discussions with Hillsboro Municipal Court Judge David McKenna for temporary relocation to the Highland County Justice Center in the event of an emergency.
The judge said a court security committee would be meeting and would include EMA Director Jim Lyle, Judge Kevin Greer, local law enforcement and firefighters.
“This is something we ought to look at for record-keeping and long-term record preservation as well,” Coss said.
• Commissioners also signed a proclamation Wednesday designating February as Teen Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.
• Commissioners met with Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward in executive session to discuss personnel matters.
In other action, commissioners approved the following resolutions, all by 3-0 votes:
• The rescinding of Resolution No. 09-253 dated Aug. 12, 2009, authorizing the appropriation of funds for the Economic Adjustment Planning Grant. The resolution incorrectly stated that matching funds were for the first year of the EDA grant. The Board will pass a resolution stating that the matching funds are for the second year of the grant.
• The rescinding of Resolution No. 10-24 dated Jan. 13, 2010, authorizing a tax levy for Soil and Water. The resolution incorrectly stated the Ohio Revised Code Sections applicable to the levy.
The board will authorize a corrected resolution upon receipt of the correct ORC sections from the prosecutor.
• The rescinding of Resolution No. 10-42 dated Jan. 27, 2010, authorizing a tax levy for Highland County Extension. The resolution incorrectly stated the Ohio Revised Code Sections applicable to the levy. The board will authorize a corrected resolution upon receipt of the correct ORC sections from the prosecutor.
• Proposed Tax Levy – New
Highland County A Majority Affirmative Vote Is Necessary For Passage.
Whereas, after providing the normal and customary percentage of the total general fund appropriations for the support of the Highland County Soil & Water Conservation District, the Board of Commissioners of Highland County, Ohio does hereby declare that the amount of taxes, which may be raised within the ten-mill limitation will be insufficient to provide an adequate amount for the support of such Highland County Soil & Water Conservation District, and it is therefore necessary to levy a tax in excess of the ten-mill limitation to supplement such general fund appropriations for such purpose.
Therefore, be it resolved, by the Board of Commissioners of Highland County, two-thirds of all members elected thereto concurring, that it is necessary to levy an additional tax in excess of the ten-mill limitation for the benefit of Highland County, Ohio for the purpose of providing additional funds for the support of the Conservation District at a rate up to and not to exceed 0.38 mills for each dollar of valuation for a period of five tax years being the tax years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014, which is a new levy. Be it further resolved that said levy shall be placed upon the tax lists of the current year in compliance with Sections 5705.34 and 1515.10 of the Ohio Revised Code, and any other applicable laws, if the legally required per centum of the electors voting thereon vote in favor thereof.
Be it further resolved that the clerk of this board be, and is hereby directed to certify a copy of this resolution to the Board of Elections of Highland County, Ohio forthwith and to notify the Board of Elections to cause notice of election on the question of levying said tax at the May 4, 2010 election to be given as required by law.
• Proposed Tax Levy – New
Highland County A Majority Affirmative Vote Is Necessary For Passage. Whereas, after providing the normal and customary percentage of the total general fund appropriations for the support of the Ohio State University Cooperative Extension Service, Highland County, the Board of Commissioners of Highland County, Ohio does hereby declare that the amount of taxes, which may be raised within the ten-mill limitation will be insufficient to provide an adequate amount for the support of the Ohio State University Cooperative Extension Service, and it is therefore necessary to levy a tax in excess of the ten-mill limitation to supplement such general fund appropriations for such purpose. Therefore, be it resolved, by the Board of Commissioners of Highland County, two-thirds of all members elected thereto concurring, that it is necessary to levy an additional tax in excess of the ten-mill limitation for the benefit of Highland County, Ohio for the purpose of providing additional funds for the support of the Ohio State University Cooperative Extension Service, Highland County, to continue to provide programs including but not limited to 4-H Youth Development, Agriculture, Family & Consumer Science and Community Development for the residents of Highland County at a rate up to and not to exceed 0.45 mills for each dollar of valuation for a period of
five (5) tax years being the tax years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014, which is a new levy.
Levy funds will be deposited in a “Pass Through Account” in the Highland County Treasury and supervised by the Auditor of Highland County.
Be it further resolved that said levy shall be placed upon the tax lists of the current year in compliance with Sections 5705.34 and 3355.37 of the Ohio Revised Code, and any other applicable laws, if the legally required per centum of the electors voting thereon vote in favor thereof. Be it further resolved that the clerk of this board be, and is hereby directed to certify a copy of this resolution to the Board of Elections of Highland County, Ohio forthwith and to notify the Board
of Elections to cause notice of election on the question of levying said tax at the May 4, 2010 election to be given as required by law.
• A revision to the Highland County Veterans Service Commission 2010 budget to restore the appropriations to the original request as follows: Salary Employees, $73,313.86; Equipment Repair, $4,000; Relief Allowance, $85,000; Travel, $5,000; Rent, $6,350; Workers Comp, $1,716.28; Medicare, $1,244.03; and Other Expense, $6,836.
• The authorization of a transfer from Public Assistance (H-00) to the County General Fund (A-00) as follows: from Public Assistance, Salary to General Fund in the amount of $10,551.22. This transfer returns an advance to Public Assistance.
• The authorization of additional appropriation to the DD budget as follows: from Unappropriated Funds to Special Olympics, in the amount of $8,452.28.
• The creation of a new fund to be known as Clerk’s Probation Fee Fund (S-62), for the purpose of retaining 2% of the community control supervision fee collected by the Clerk of Courts to be used for costs
associated with the administration of the fees.
The Court entry is attached as a part of this resolution. No appropriation was made at this time.[[In-content Ad]]
At this week’s commission meeting, Coss said the Ohio Supreme Court report – which is not a public record due to security reasons – noticed the courthouse does not have anything posted at entrances regarding the possession of weapons inside the building. Coss also said the sign would specify that court security could conduct random searches.
“Anyone entering the courthouse is subject to a search and we need to make that a condition of entry,” the judge said.
The commissioners left the posting of signs to the judge’s discretion. The signs would be purchased through the court’s special projects fund, Coss said.
Coss also informed commissioners Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Gary Heaton of the need for a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP). “We need to plan for what we would do should a major event require that we vacate the building,” Coss said.
Coss said he has had discussions with Hillsboro Municipal Court Judge David McKenna for temporary relocation to the Highland County Justice Center in the event of an emergency.
The judge said a court security committee would be meeting and would include EMA Director Jim Lyle, Judge Kevin Greer, local law enforcement and firefighters.
“This is something we ought to look at for record-keeping and long-term record preservation as well,” Coss said.
• Commissioners also signed a proclamation Wednesday designating February as Teen Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.
• Commissioners met with Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward in executive session to discuss personnel matters.
In other action, commissioners approved the following resolutions, all by 3-0 votes:
• The rescinding of Resolution No. 09-253 dated Aug. 12, 2009, authorizing the appropriation of funds for the Economic Adjustment Planning Grant. The resolution incorrectly stated that matching funds were for the first year of the EDA grant. The Board will pass a resolution stating that the matching funds are for the second year of the grant.
• The rescinding of Resolution No. 10-24 dated Jan. 13, 2010, authorizing a tax levy for Soil and Water. The resolution incorrectly stated the Ohio Revised Code Sections applicable to the levy.
The board will authorize a corrected resolution upon receipt of the correct ORC sections from the prosecutor.
• The rescinding of Resolution No. 10-42 dated Jan. 27, 2010, authorizing a tax levy for Highland County Extension. The resolution incorrectly stated the Ohio Revised Code Sections applicable to the levy. The board will authorize a corrected resolution upon receipt of the correct ORC sections from the prosecutor.
• Proposed Tax Levy – New
Highland County A Majority Affirmative Vote Is Necessary For Passage.
Whereas, after providing the normal and customary percentage of the total general fund appropriations for the support of the Highland County Soil & Water Conservation District, the Board of Commissioners of Highland County, Ohio does hereby declare that the amount of taxes, which may be raised within the ten-mill limitation will be insufficient to provide an adequate amount for the support of such Highland County Soil & Water Conservation District, and it is therefore necessary to levy a tax in excess of the ten-mill limitation to supplement such general fund appropriations for such purpose.
Therefore, be it resolved, by the Board of Commissioners of Highland County, two-thirds of all members elected thereto concurring, that it is necessary to levy an additional tax in excess of the ten-mill limitation for the benefit of Highland County, Ohio for the purpose of providing additional funds for the support of the Conservation District at a rate up to and not to exceed 0.38 mills for each dollar of valuation for a period of five tax years being the tax years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014, which is a new levy. Be it further resolved that said levy shall be placed upon the tax lists of the current year in compliance with Sections 5705.34 and 1515.10 of the Ohio Revised Code, and any other applicable laws, if the legally required per centum of the electors voting thereon vote in favor thereof.
Be it further resolved that the clerk of this board be, and is hereby directed to certify a copy of this resolution to the Board of Elections of Highland County, Ohio forthwith and to notify the Board of Elections to cause notice of election on the question of levying said tax at the May 4, 2010 election to be given as required by law.
• Proposed Tax Levy – New
Highland County A Majority Affirmative Vote Is Necessary For Passage. Whereas, after providing the normal and customary percentage of the total general fund appropriations for the support of the Ohio State University Cooperative Extension Service, Highland County, the Board of Commissioners of Highland County, Ohio does hereby declare that the amount of taxes, which may be raised within the ten-mill limitation will be insufficient to provide an adequate amount for the support of the Ohio State University Cooperative Extension Service, and it is therefore necessary to levy a tax in excess of the ten-mill limitation to supplement such general fund appropriations for such purpose. Therefore, be it resolved, by the Board of Commissioners of Highland County, two-thirds of all members elected thereto concurring, that it is necessary to levy an additional tax in excess of the ten-mill limitation for the benefit of Highland County, Ohio for the purpose of providing additional funds for the support of the Ohio State University Cooperative Extension Service, Highland County, to continue to provide programs including but not limited to 4-H Youth Development, Agriculture, Family & Consumer Science and Community Development for the residents of Highland County at a rate up to and not to exceed 0.45 mills for each dollar of valuation for a period of
five (5) tax years being the tax years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014, which is a new levy.
Levy funds will be deposited in a “Pass Through Account” in the Highland County Treasury and supervised by the Auditor of Highland County.
Be it further resolved that said levy shall be placed upon the tax lists of the current year in compliance with Sections 5705.34 and 3355.37 of the Ohio Revised Code, and any other applicable laws, if the legally required per centum of the electors voting thereon vote in favor thereof. Be it further resolved that the clerk of this board be, and is hereby directed to certify a copy of this resolution to the Board of Elections of Highland County, Ohio forthwith and to notify the Board
of Elections to cause notice of election on the question of levying said tax at the May 4, 2010 election to be given as required by law.
• A revision to the Highland County Veterans Service Commission 2010 budget to restore the appropriations to the original request as follows: Salary Employees, $73,313.86; Equipment Repair, $4,000; Relief Allowance, $85,000; Travel, $5,000; Rent, $6,350; Workers Comp, $1,716.28; Medicare, $1,244.03; and Other Expense, $6,836.
• The authorization of a transfer from Public Assistance (H-00) to the County General Fund (A-00) as follows: from Public Assistance, Salary to General Fund in the amount of $10,551.22. This transfer returns an advance to Public Assistance.
• The authorization of additional appropriation to the DD budget as follows: from Unappropriated Funds to Special Olympics, in the amount of $8,452.28.
• The creation of a new fund to be known as Clerk’s Probation Fee Fund (S-62), for the purpose of retaining 2% of the community control supervision fee collected by the Clerk of Courts to be used for costs
associated with the administration of the fees.
The Court entry is attached as a part of this resolution. No appropriation was made at this time.[[In-content Ad]]