Tiffin finance director announces retirement

TIFFIN — City of Tiffin finance director Kathleen Kaufman announced her retirement at Monday evening's council meeting. "This was a difficult decision for me," Kaufman said at the meeting. "I've been struggling over the past six months to try to balance my work life and my personal life. There are quite a few things I have had to push back in my personal life; I haven't been able to get to them. I've gotten to the point that I need to switch my focus to my personal life." She shared that putting in for retirement is hard because she realizes she is needed in two places, but that "you can't be in two places and still give 100% to both." "It has been such an honor to serve this community," Kaufman continued. "It's been an honor to work with all of you, and I know that you guys are going to go forward and keep leading the city in wonderful ways. I wish I could continue to be part of it, but I know I've made the right decision for myself, but it was very difficult." She is retiring after 35 years of serving Seneca County and has been the director of finance since 2018. The city is accepting applications for her position until Sept. 24. Some duties of the job include collecting taxes, assessments and money on behalf of the city, investing funds, attending meetings and reporting to city council, overseeing the finance department and more. Some desired qualifications include a bachelor's degree in accounting, business or a related field, 3-5 years in public sector finance, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Candidates should know about accounting principles, office practices and procedures, among other things, according to the city. The available hours are 40 hours per week, and pay is provided at the rate between $38.71/hour and $42.57/hour, depending on experience. The position will be appointed by the mayor and then confirmed by city council. More information and the job application are available at www.tiffinohio.gov In other news The city passed the following resolutions and ordinances. Resolutions • 25-39: authorizing the mayor to enter into and sign an Escrow Agreement with The Kinn Frontier, LLC, Stacy K. Rineer, and the Estate of Stephen Martin Kinn for the construction of Progress Parkway and declaring an emergency • 25-41: approving Mayor's appointment of Barry Devine to serve an unexpired term on the Civil Service Commission from the effective date of this resolution until December 31, 2027 • 25-42: approving Mayor's reappointment of Tom Schweitzer to serve a five-year term on the Seneca Metropolitan Housing Authority from the effective date of this resolution until December 31, 2030 • 25-43: approving Mayor's appointment of Heleana Theixos to serve an unexpired term on the Seneca County Board of Health from the effective date of this resolution until December 31, 2027 • 25-44: authorizing the mayor to execute and submit an application to participate in the Purdue Pharma L.P. & Sackler Family Settlement concerning alleged misconduct related to opioids and declaring an emergency. • 25-45: authorizing the Mayor to execute and submit an application to participate in the proposed Opioid Litigation Settlement involving pharmaceutical manufacturers Alvogen, Amneal, Apotex, Hikma, Indivior, Mylan, Sun, and Zydus and declaring an emergency. Ordinances • 25-79: amending the 2025 Budget Ordinance 24-94 to appropriate various funds into the annual budget • 25-80: amending the 2025 Budget Ordinance No. 2024-94 to appropriate funds into Fund 563 Early Action 24 & 30 Project, approving the transfer of funds to the 552 Sewer Fund and declaring an emergency • 25-81: amending Section 1 of Ordinance No. 2025-64 to correct a reduction in the Capital Improvement Fund and declaring an emergency. The next city council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 6 at City Hall, 51 E. Market St.