County, city officials talk on local matters

TIFFIN --- Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual Legislative Breakfast Thursday, featuring state and local officials who provided a report for the previous year and what is to come. Seneca County Commissioner Tyler Shuff shared the Commissioner Office's 2023 year in review. Shuff said, "2023 was a year of better change for the future, for fiscal responsibility, and for protecting and improving our county." Shuff said he is proud of all of the newly elected officials in the county, especially County Administrator Barb Patterson and Commissioner Bill Frankart. "Managing the budget and protecting fiscal welfare is a top priority for the commissioners," Shuff said, discussing fiscal responsibility. "The 2024 budget was done from scratch and each item included was filtered through one by one to ensure the money is spent wisely." Below is a breakdown of the 2024 General Funds Budget: County Jail | $3,992,704.73 Sheriff's Office | 52,820,450.17 Insurance & Pensions | $2,025,000.00 Youth Center | $1,408,730.55 Maintenance Department | $1,160,018.42 Contingencies | $1,134,000.00 Prosecutor's Office | $936,372.69 Juvenile Court | $845,974.77 Miscellaneous | $786,792.00 Veterans Service Commission | $741,397.62 Seneca County Board of Elections | $555,739.99 Commissioners' Office | $438,846.85 Common Pleas Court - Support | $436,583.50 Auditor's Office | $395,662.20 Clerk of Courts | $332,712.12 According to Shuff, the commissioner's office began utilizing the Fostoria Economic Development Corporation (FEDC) to aid in grant writing in 2023. Other resources the county utilizes are the Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP), senators, house representatives, and Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership (TSEP). "We use every resource possible but our main grant writing is FEC and Renee has done a fantastic job with that," said Shuff. Shuff shared the following updates about Seneca County's Capital Budget requests under Ohio HB-2: Seneca County, Agriculture Center Project—In December 2023, Seneca County completed the purchase of the Advertiser-Tribune building, which will, after extensive renovations, house the new Agriculture Building. Bettsville EMS Building Renovation Project - The project is in the process of acquiring a building to house one of four new Seneca County Joint EMS buildings. Seneca County EMS Building, Countywide Project Initiative—In 2022, Seneca County merged six taxing districts into a singular district that includes 10 townships and 5 villages. EMS Tactical and Training Equipment - A proposal for new equipment for Seneca County EMS to be purchased. Seneca County Jail Security Improvements. Seneca County Museum, Interior Revitalization Project—With the opening of its new medicine room, the Seneca County Museum continues to improve and renovate the building. Vanguard-Sentinel Career and Technology Centers, EMS/FF Lab Project—Vanguard-Sentinel will open an EMS and Firefighting Lab, granting students the opportunity to learn about and gain experience within the profession in a safe and guided environment. Attica-Venice Township Joint Cemetery, Mausoleum Improvement - Repairs are set to be made to the Mausoleum in the cemetery. Seneca County Youth Center, HVAC Upgrade. Additionally, Shuff noted that he is especially proud of the upcoming Vanguard-Sentinel EMS/Firefighting lab, as it creates a local pipeline connecting education to jobs all within the county, before discussing ways to continue to protect and improve the county. Shuff also spoke in the county's favor of Senate Bill 119: "One thing I can assure you is the commissioners are all three very firm on this and in line with supporting SB-119." Shuff also added that next week, all three commissioners will be going to the Ohio State Courthouse to testify in favor of the bill. On another topic, Shuff discussed the commissioners' plans to maintain some of the county buildings, saying they have taken a hard dive into all county buildings and created a 15-year plan to make all of the buildings energy efficient. "There's just a lot of really good things going on in the county right now," Shuff said. "It's amazing." Regarding city matters, Mayor of Tiffin Lee Wilkinson shared his updates on the city. Wilkinson was recently asked at a dinner, "Why is Tiffin doing so much better economically than Fremont?" Wilkinson responded, "The key lies in collaboration and communication." Elected in January 2024, Wilkinson was just one of many new city officials. Tiffin voters also elected four new city council members (Kevin Roessner, John Hays, John Kahler II, and Cheyane Thacker) and new Law Director (Zachary Fowler). "This is not holding us back," said Wilkinson. "On day one, I initiated long-term planning goals with each department," said Wilkinson. Also mentioning a new investment strategy was utilized starting this year. "The current state of city finances is very strong." Moving forward, Wilkinson discussed the impact of the 2023 Road and Bridge levy on the city. According to Wilkinson, there were 89 miles of roads within the city of Tiffin in 2023, and thanks to the Road and Bridge Levy, the total revenue generated from the additional 0.25% income tax was $1.5 Million. An additional $4 million in state and federal dollars secured by the Engineering Department was also invested during this time, for a total of $5.5 million total invested. "From 2019-2024 we have paved 32.5 miles of Streets, and the City Engineer's office has brought in nearly $14.2 million in Local, state, and federal grant funds for infrastructure projects," Wilkinson said. In addition, city officials are currently in the process of working with the EPA to get approval for new sewer treatment technology, he said. This could result in significant cost savings for the city and its sewer customers. Wilkinson expressed a "thank you" to the City Engineer Matt Watson and the Engineering Department for their hard work. Wilkinson then extended congratulations on behalf of the city to Public Works Superintendent Brandon Burner, Tiffin's arborists Jon Potteiger and Nick Moses, and the Shade Tree Commission for securing a grant from The Ohio Division of Forestry to inventory and plant trees. Wilkinson said, "As a result of their hard work, Tiffin has been named as a Tree City USA for the 43rd year." Additionally, Tiffin earned its sixth growth award. This distinction is earned by only about 15% of all Tree City USA communities and demonstrates a higher level of tree care and community engagement. With summer around the corner, Wilkinson shared an update on the Parks and Recreation Committee. They are working on a new wetlands area at Hedges-Boyer Park, and other improvements are coming to Applejack Park later this spring and into the summer. On another matter, Tiffin Fire and Rescue is recognized by the State of Ohio as a continuing education site, which allows them to provide the ongoing training necessary for recertification. Wilkinson said they put in hundreds of hours of training annually, including EMS, fire, and fire inspector training. "With revisions to our auto-aid agreement in 2023, we now have better resources when responding to active fire calls." Wilkinson added, "We now have Clinton Fire, Bascom Fire, and Seneca County EMS included in the agreement and working together." Another important aspect of public safety is public engagement. Wilkinson quoted Chief Pauly, repeating, "At the Tiffin Police Department, community engagement isn't merely a catchphrase—it's ingrained in the essence of every officer. It flows through their actions daily, becoming an integral part of their identity." He then thanked him and Chief Chappel of TFD for all they do for the city and its people. "Thank you for your continued support and dedication to Tiffin," Wilkinson said. "Together, we will build a brighter tomorrow."