Post-meeting release 4/11
Commissioners discuss human resources during
Receive bids on three projects, set dates for upcoming events
[Tiffin, OH April 11, 2019] — The Seneca County Board of Commissioners discussed an assessment of the county’s human resources system Thursday morning.
The board heard from former Tiffin University Vice President for Human Resources and Campus Services Lori Hall, who now serves as the director of HR and health management for First Insurance Group, about an assessment she completed of the county’s current HR system. Hall presented her findings to the commissioners and several other county department heads. She outlined strengths and areas for improvement of the current system, which features tasks taken on individually through all departments. She said many people do work within their primary job and also take on HR tasks. She said strengths included department leaders being well-trained and innovative.
As for areas of improvement, she said there is not a lot of structure because of the decentralized nature of the system. She recommended that the county hire an HR director who could centralize the system and become the point person for all HR-related tasks.
Heidelberg University Chief Human Resources Officer Margaret Rudolph also gave feedback on the current system and advice to the county moving forward. She worked as an HR director in Erie County. Rudolph recommended that the position, if created, report to the commissioners.
The commissioners are to consider all the information presented and will address the issue again soon.
In other action, County Administrator Stacy Wilson gave a financial update. She said about 26 percent of property taxes and about 30 percent of expected revenue has been collected for 2019, including about $113,000 of tax payments via the Rover Pipeline Project. She said this amount was higher than expected.
Wilson also said about 45 percent of expenses have been collected, but this is typical since many large payments come out at the beginning of the year. The amount available to appropriate from the General Fund is about $1.7 million, Wilson said.
She asked the commissioners to revisit the capital improvements line of the non-General Fund budget and to consider moving funds for upcoming projects. A resolution is to come before the board next week for an allocation of $75,000 for the first few projects. The projects include new locks at the Seneca County Jail and the Seneca County Youth Center, and for upgrades to the electrical system at the RTA Building.
The capital budget has about $2 million of projects to be prioritized and considered for this year.
The commissioners also are to consider making an investment of $125,000 into the Budget Stabilization Fund, which currently has $375,000 in it.
In other news, bids were received for three projects. To see the bids that were received, visit this link.
In other business, Open House event dates were set for the former Carnegie library building at 108 Jefferson St. The building is to be auctioned off at 10:30 a.m. May 14, but all residents are welcome to tour the building from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on April 25 or from 9-11 a.m. on April 27. Appointments also can be made by calling Re/Max Unlimited Results Realty at (419) 443-7653.
The board also announced that a ribbon-cutting ceremony is to be held for the county’s fiber project at 1 p.m. May 22 in front of the Seneca County Justice Center.
Also during the meeting, Ben Nutter, director of community relations for Sunny Farms Landfill, said updates on work being done at the landfill that could lead to odor emissions are available. If you’d like to be added to the list that receives those updates via e-mail, contact Nutter at BNutter@THPLP.com.
During resolutions, the board approved:
- A $7,509.10 supplemental appropriation to the Targeted Community Alternatives to Prison Grant Fund.
- A $540,000 supplemental appropriation to the Maintenance and Repair Fund for contract projects.
- A $1,510 supplemental appropriation to the Clerk of Courts Title Admin Fund (equipment)
- A $30,000 supplemental appropriation to the General Fund for contract services.
- A contract with R&I Construction Inc. for the CR 38 Bridge Replacement Project. R&I, of Tiffin, submitted a bid of $548,317.60 for the project last week.
- An agreement with Seneca County General Health District for 2019 nursing services on behalf of Seneca County Youth Center.