Commissioners recognize DV Awareness Month

TIFFIN — Members of the Seneca County Board of Commissioners met for a regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, Oct. 9 to discuss and adopt several supplemental appropriations. Additionally, a proclamation was read in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and presented to members of First Step, a domestic violence shelter serving Wood, Wyandot, Seneca, Sandusky and Hancock counties. By the numbers Speaking on behalf of First Step was Amy Kinney, executive director of the shelter. Kinney opened her presentation by sharing that the need for services provided by organizations such as First Step is at an all time high– noting the highest number of children witnessing their parents murder in county history. "This year alone we have had to turn away 86 individuals who were seeking shelter," said Habig. According to an annual report published by the Ohio Attorney General's Office, in 2024 there were 74 reported victims of domestic violence throughout Seneca County. In other news Also speaking at Thursday's meeting was Renee Smith, president of the Fostoria Economic Development Corporation, who briefly introduced two of their newest staff members. Greg Allen was introduced as the new Executive Director of the FEDC and the Fostoria Learning Center, and Crystal Laird was introduced as the new Chamber/Small Business Director. Supplemental appropriations A number of supplemental appropriations were approved, with the largest being a transfer out of the county's general fund in the amount of $300,000.00 for capital improvements, one of which being the purchase of a Snow Brush Truck. County Administrator Barb Patterson noted the truck had been a pending request for quite some time, and that a reasonable price was able to be reached for the requested equipment. The full list of approved appropriations is as follows: General Fund (0010) Software License/Services $3,900.79 General Fund (0010) Examinations Co Offices $79.20 General Fund (0010) Transfers Out $300,000 IDEP FFY26 (1073) Salaries $2,745.64 IDEP FFY26 (1073) Medicare $51.24 IDEP FFY26 (1073) Workers' Compensation $97.18 IDEP FFY26 (1073) PERS $639.59 STEP FFY26 (1096) Salaries $3,037.02 STEP FFY26 (1096) Medicare $56.68 STEP FFY26 (1096) Workers' Compensation $107.49 STEP FFY26 (1096) PERS $707.47 CDBG (3111) Contract Services $13,300 CDBG (3111) Fair Housing $2,500 New Riegel Sewer District (4139) Contract Services $30,000 New business • A resolution amending Resolution 25-113 RE: Seneca County General Health District special counsel. • A resolution authorizing the re-designation of rural public transit grantee. Mary Habig, Executive Director of North Central Area Transit (NCAT) and Assistant Director Kelsey Slater briefly spoke in regards to the resolution, explaining that as a nonprofit they are not able to directly apply for that funding– it must be designated by the county. • A resolution authorizing fund transfers be made to the county Capital Projects Fund (1215) in the amount of $300,000. • A resolution authorizing and entering into agreement with the Mental Health and Recovery Services on behalf of the Seneca County Board of Commissioners. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Seneca County Board of Commissioners is set for 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16.