State transportation department updates county

TIFFIN — At the Seneca County Commissioners meeting, members of the Ohio Department of Transportation presented yearly updates to the board. The meeting began with a presentation from Pat McColley, deputy director of ODOT District #2. "ODOT is responsible for maintaining the state's largest man-made asset, and in turn, we have the most direct daily impact on the citizens of Ohio versus other state agencies," began McColley. He continued by sharing some fast facts about the state's infrastructure, sharing that Ohio is fifth in the country for total interstate lane miles and contains several class one railways. Inflation Strikes McColley shared a graph with the commissioners showing state gasoline tax revenue, including three lines: one projecting revenue with no changes, one showing what revenue would be today without the 2020 tax increase from Gov. Mike DeWine, and one showing actual revenue following that increase. "Every county in the state receives the same amount of gas tax money," he shared, citing Seneca County and Henry County as examples. He went on to explain that inflation has had a stronger impact on rural counties due to population density differences across the state. "Henry County is actually the most rural county in District 2 as far as population goes," he said. "So while they receive the same amount of funding as Seneca County, their state budget is still the lowest because they don't have as many motor vehicle registrations." State legislation changes Next to speak was Mark Bressler, highway maintenance administrator, who began by sharing some updated legislation regarding snow and ice operations within villages. "In District #2 we have already been doing this for years, so it's not necessarily a change, but it is now a requirement to perform snow and ice operations, as well as mowing operations, throughout state routes inside of villages," said Bressler. He continued, explaining that it's a goal to maintain good partnerships with villages and other local government entities within his district."Currently we hit our routes about three times a year, we have already communicated with the village of Republic and plan to continue communicating with the other villages as well," added Bressler. April Noel, transportation administrator, added to this by sharing ODOT plans to spray growth retardant as well. Bressler also discussed changes to legislation regarding chip seal operations, saying ODOT must now notify the local county board of commissioners 30 days in advance of starting a chip seal project. "Currently there are two areas in Seneca County being chip sealed: OH-162, from Republic to the Huron County line, and on OH-587, from the roundabout to Fostoria," added Noel. Crash data ODOT concluded with the results of a study conducted around crash data from the intersection of OH-12 and CR 592 over three years. According to the data, which is collected directly by ODOT and utilizes GPS coordinates from reports made by law enforcement agencies, there were 21 crashes between 2019-2021. "One of these crashes were fatal, with twelve others causing injuries," shared McColley. As a result, a roundabout was proposed to replace the intersection back in March 2024, with Seneca County Engineer Mark Zimmerman in support of the project. "Roundabouts are 90% effective at reducing fatal crashes, 70% effective at reducing serious injuries, and 30% effective at reducing crashes," shared McColley. The project, which is funded by the State's Highway Safety Improvement Program, is projected to be completed by August 2028. Several items under new business were approved at the meeting, including the following: • Resolution – Authorizing the Seneca County Board of Commissioners to enter into an agreement/contract with Ward Construction Co. – C-2025-02 • Resolution – Authorizing the Seneca County Board of Commissioners to enter into an agreement/contract with the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Seneca, Ottawa, Sandusky, and Wyandot Counties (MHRSB) for mental health and addiction support services on behalf of the Seneca County Sheriff's Office • Resolution – For the appointment of special counsel for the Seneca County General Health District retroactive to June 3, 2025 The board approved the following supplemental appropriations: • General Fund (0010) Road Salaries – $2,074.84 • General Fund (0010) Road Medicare – $38.72 • General Fund (0010) Road PERS – $483.33 • General Fund (0010) Services for Jail – $15,000 • Real Estate Assess Fund (1016) Software License/Services – $100,000 • Unclaimed Money Trust Fund (1075) Unclaimed Money Trust – $5,690.33 • FFY24 IDEP Fund (1086) Transfer Out – $1,731.13 • FFY24 IDEP Fund (1086) Advance Out – $19,176.36 • Special Projects Fund (1093) Public Guardian Salaries – $40,000 • Special Projects Fund (1093) Pub Guard Medicare – $580 • Special Projects Fund (1093) Workers Comp – $500 • Special Projects Fund (1093) Public Guardian PERS – $5,600 • S/O Impaired Driving Enforcement Fund (1220) Transfer Out – $497.59 • FFY24 STEP Fund (1222) Transfer Out – $441.60 • FFY24 STEP Fund (1222) Advance Out – $20,676.35 • Opioid Remediation Grant Fund (1227) Supplies – $4,956. • Opioid Remediation Grant Fund (1227) Contract Services – $111,147.08 The next meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17, at the commissioners' office, 111 Madison St., Tiffin.