Commissioners see increased costs for JFS; Workers' Compensation claim settled

By Rory Ryan
The Highland County Press

Highland County Commission President Shane Wilkin cautioned the board of higher than anticipated expenses in the Highland County Department of Job and Family Services' budget during this week's board meeting.

Speaking at the Wednesday, Sept. 16 meeting, Wilkin informed board members Tom Horst and Jeff Duncan that after discussions with Highland County Auditor Bill Fawley, it is evident that general fund money will be needed for Job and Family Services.

"We are facing some serious funding issues with JFS," Wilkin said. "This is related to all the kids in care.

"This is going to be an issue; there will probably be some general fund money without a doubt. It could be a substantial amount. It will start very soon."

Wilkin said he and Highland County JFS Executive Director Debbie Robbins will be meeting in Columbus with the state department of Job and Family Services to "see if there are any funding streams we're missing or that we can access. This is a very serious issue for the county, and things will be tight next year."

Wilkin reminded county residents who may be interested in becoming foster parents to contact Highland County JFS at 393-4278.

As previously reported, the county has been experiencing a record number of children in foster care, much of it related to illegal drug use.

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In other action, commissioners voted, 3-0, following an executive session to settle a Bureau of Workers' Compensation claim from 2014 and 2015, involving Adam Evans in the amount of $15,000. This resolution was passed after a recommendation by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine.

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Highland County Health Commissioner Jared Warner met with the board and offered to provide health care services through the department.

Warner said the Health Department would appreciate the opportunity to provide flu shots, health screenings and other services.

"I'm not sure why we were not contacted (for this year's flu shot clinic)," Warner said.

County employees are scheduled to have flu shots through Walgreens this year.

Commissioners agreed to contact the Highland County Health Department for future clinics.

"It keeps it in the county," Wilkin said. "That makes it nice."

Warner also mentioned that the Health Department and Highland District Hospital are teaming up for no-cost mammography screenings on Nov. 6, March 11 and March 12 at HDH for women in Highland County.

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Commissioner Duncan congratulated all the winners at the 2015 Highland County Fair and thanked all the businesses that support the fair each year.

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Resolutions

Commissioners approved the following resolutions, each by a 3-0 vote:

• A resolution to authorize to file an application for CDBG Economic Development Program.

• A request from Common Pleas Court for a budget modification to Common Pleas Budget in the amount of $200.

• A request from Highland County Job and Family Services for a reimbursement of funds from CSEA Administrative Account to Public Assistance Account in the amount of $13,870.09 for shared cost distribution.

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Permissive sales tax revenue

Auditor Bill Fawley reported that the September sales tax revenues (for July sales) were $590,743.17, up from $543,952.98 in August.

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Parking issue

Prior to the start of the Highland County Board of Commissioners' Sept. 16 meeting, Commissioner Tom Horst issued a statement regarding the Sept. 14 Hillsboro City Council meeting.

"It was stated that we have a lot of parking," Horst said. "We don't. We have one parking spot left that was Candy's (former commission clerk Candy Matthews') parking space. No one talked to Jeff or me or the staff about parking."

At the Sept. 14 city council meeting, council member Dick Donley said that during earlier planning meetings for the proposed plaza along the north side of the Highland County Courthouse, courthouse employees indicated that they were aware that parking spaces alongside the courthouse would be removed and that he “didn’t remember” them showing any concern.

“There’s a lot of parking right now in the parking lot the courthouse owns,” council member Ann Morris said. “The courthouse employees could park over there.”

During a recess in the commissioners' meeting, Horst informed Hillsboro Safety and Service Director Todd Wilkin of the parking situation.