Commissioners hire director for new HR department

Seneca County commissioners hired Jaime Wolfe as director of the county's newly-created Human Resources Department during their meeting Thursday. She is to start her new position June 7. Information from the commissioners office said Wolfe has worked in the human resources field since 2013, including her most recent stint as a human resources specialist for Sandusky County commissioners. Wolfe's office is to be in the County Services Building in the former space of the public guardian's office. The commissioners had set aside funding in previous years for the eventual creation of the office, which is meant to improve and organize human resource functions while reducing liability to the county. On another topic, County Administrator Stacy Wilson reported the county received $822,871 in its May installment of sales tax revenue, an increase of 23% during the same period in 2019. The revenue is from sales tax collection in part of February and most of March. Through the first five sales tax reports of this year, the county has collected about $4.25 million, which is $830,000, or 24%, higher than the amount collected in the first five months of 2019. "We're on track with what was projected," Wilson said. Commissioner Mike Kerschner said the county should be prepared for a decrease in monthly sales tax revenue around August because of a current decrease in auto sales. "The cars are built, but there's a shortage of computer chips so they can't be finished," he said. "We're expecting sales tax numbers might ball off in August because of that." Wilson said she's expecting further guidelines about the $10 million is American Recovery Plan funds the county is to receive. The commissioners planned another work session at 11 a.m. May 27 to discuss the matter. Also Thursday, Wilson opened bids for a new roof on the building that houses Seneca County Department of Job and Family Services, the county engineer and Seneca Parks, just south of Tiffin near SR 100 and US 224. Bidders were: Mid-State Contractors Inc., Marion, $389,800; JB Roofing, Tiffin, $393,738; CRM Roofing, Clyde, $349,719; E. Lee Construction, Delphos, $339,960; Damschroder Roofing, Fremont, $303,042; and ACI Advanced Concept Inc., Canal Winchester, $441,697. Buildings and Grounds Maintenance Supervisor John Logsdon will review the bids and make a recommendation. In other business, the commissioners said they signed and sent a letter to Columbian Boys Tennis Coach Chip Weingart to congratulate his team on finishing an undefeated season in the Sandusky Bay Conference. They also wished district performers good luck this week, including the New Riegel softball team, which will play for the district title Friday in Oak Harbor. The commissioners met in person in their board room while remaining on the Zoom meeting to meet via teleconference with the commissioners in Wood and Sandusky counties to approve mutual ditch maintenance projects. They approved six ditch maintenance projects in agreement with Sandusky County and three in agreement with Sandusky and Wood counties. They also met in executive session to discuss collective bargaining, but there was no action taken. They approved: • A $6,000 supplemental appropriation to the General Fund for travel of board members to a conference and training for Seneca County Board of Elections. • A $500 supplemental appropriation to the General Fund for other board of elections travel. • A $3,500 supplemental appropriation to the Juvenile Program and Services Fund for supplies for Seneca County Juvenile Probate Court. • A contract with InTime Services Inc. on behalf of the Seneca County Sheriff's Office to assist with efficient scheduling and coordination among employees and for audit tracking. • Setting 10:30 a.m. June 10 at the commissioners office to receive sealed bids for capital improvements at the CROSSWAEH facility. • Hiring Brandon Gebauer as full-time EMT-Basic for Seneca County EMS, effective Monday. • Entering into an agreement with Macdonald, Friedberg, Carr and Dixon on behalf of the Seneca County Clerk of Courts. • Setting 10:30 a.m. June 17 at the commissioners office to receive sealed bids for one, seven-passenger, two-wheelchair-accessible van on behalf of Seneca County Opportunity Center. • Setting 10:15 a.m. June 17 at the commissioners office to receive sealed bids for a CR 47 pavement resurfacing project on behalf of the Seneca County Engineer's Office.