Commissioners hear from Collaborative, 4-H

TIFFIN — The Seneca County Board of Commissioners met Thursday morning for a regularly scheduled meeting where they heard an update from the Seneca County Collaborative and reviewed several appropriations ahead of the quickly approaching budget season. Also discussed was the commissioners upcoming budget hearing schedule, with all department heads set to meet individually with the board to review requests for the 2026 budget cycle. The county's certified revenue for next year is $23 million, with initial requests currently totaling $25 million. A few updates Bryce Riggs, president and CEO of the Seneca County Collaborative, led a presentation detailing the organization's recent integration of multiple economic development, tourism and chamber functions under one umbrella. He began by outlining progress on several fronts, including new cohesive branding for county organizations, expanded business services and the launch of updated websites and promotional campaigns. Economic and Workforce Development Manager Adam Gillmor provided additional highlights, noting 45 business retention and expansion visits conducted this year, and celebrating ongoing projects such as the Wessels expansion at National Machinery and the Paraport Doors relocation to Tiffin's Northstar Industrial Park. Gillmor also discussed the county's efforts to streamline building permit processes and promote workforce development through programs like Lemonade Day and the Seneca CEO initiative. Donna Gross, Downtown Main Street Manager, marked the tenth anniversary of Tiffin's Main Street accreditation, citing over $40 million in public and private investments downtown over the past decade. Gross also previewed upcoming events, including Downtown Tiffin's Third Thursday Pizza Party. Katie Cole, representing the county's 4-H and Extension Office, summarized summer youth programs, including camps, project judging, and the annual livestock sale, which saw approximately $720,000 in sales and participation from over 700 buyers. Over the summer of 2025, there were 150 total youth participants according to Cole. Upcoming activities include a fall coloring contest and a November "Fall Funday" at the fairgrounds. New business Several supplemental appropriations were adopted at the meeting. County Administrator Barb Patterson explained that one was for the General Fund, covering several areas including vacation payouts, kitchen and food expenses for the sheriff's office, jail utilities, group employee insurance, and contract services. The vacation payout, she noted, was for Judge Chef's office, whose policy allows employees to receive payment for one week of unused vacation. The $69,000 for the sheriff's office covers food and kitchen needs for the rest of the year, while $100,000 for jail services will go toward utilities. The $176,000 for group employee insurance ensures the county can cover premiums for employees paid out of the General Fund. "We have more employees now on insurance than when the budget was initially approved," Patterson said. The $10,000 in contract services is for work being done by KKR Consulting. Other supplemental appropriations included: $751,000 for the Seneca County Employees Health Fund to cover insurance premiums for the remainder of the year, $15,200 for renovations at the Northwest EMS Station in Bettsville, $30,000 for salaries from the PIVOT Fund, and $60,000 for hospitalization from the Ambulance Service Fund. Patterson shared she feels the appropriations will help the county cover costs that were hard to predict at the start of the year, including changes in employee health coverage and rising utility costs Also approved were a few resolutions, one of which amending the county's personnel policy to clarify the use of county vehicles by non-employees and volunteers under certain circumstances, aligning the manual with insurance requirements. Another increased the 2025 budget for the Seneca County Health General District Special Counsel to $80,000 for litigation. A third authorized a fund transfer of $1,156.88 from the General Special Projects Fund to the General Fund to cover the vacation payout for Judge Chef's office. The next regular meeting of the Seneca County Commissioners is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 25.