Post-meeting release 5/23/23

Commissioners discuss Senate Bill 119, set date to receive bids for new EMS station

[Tiffin, OH – May 23, 2023] – The Seneca County Board of Commissioners held a meeting on Thursday morning to discuss Senate Bill 119 proposed by Senator Bill Reineke. The board prepared written testimony, which will be presented before the State Senate’s Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee at 4 p.m. on Thursday. Commissioner Anthony Paradiso will present the board’s support for the bill during the hearing. The testimony emphasizes the potential negative impact of unregulated out-of-state trash, specifically from New York, on the environment, water sources and the quality of life in Seneca County and Ohio. Senate Bill 119 aims to address this issue by granting regulatory agencies greater oversight over landfill facilities. The testimony also recognizes three important changes in the bill: an improved process for local input, increased and equalized fees for waste disposal, and strengthened local health districts. These changes prioritize community well-being, environmental protection, and fair distribution of oversight resources. The full written testimony can be viewed here.

In other news, County Administrator Barb Patterson announced that sealed bids for the first EMS station will be opened at 10 a.m. on June 8th at the commissioners’ office. The station will be situated on the east side of Bloom Township and is the first of multiple stations planned to enhance the response time of Seneca County EMS personnel. The commissioners acquired approximately 3 acres of land on US 224 in Bloom Township for this project in March 2022, at a cost of approximately $52,500. In February 2022, the board allocated up to $750,000 for the construction of the new EMS facility. The station will accommodate both paid and volunteer Seneca County EMS staff, improving emergency medical service coverage for county residents and those within the SCEMS coverage area. The joint ambulance district, which approved a 2.5-mill levy in November, collaborates closely with the county to provide emergency medical services to rural areas lacking coverage from other agencies. The levy’s passage enables the JAD and SCEMS to employ additional paid personnel alongside existing staff and volunteers.

Also during the session, the commissioners approved a budget supplement of $3,000 for preliminary work on the second EMS station, which will be located on the southwest end of the county.

During the meeting, the commissioners presented the following proclamations:

* May as Mental Health Awareness Month: Presented to Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Seneca, Ottawa, Sandusky, and Wyandot Executive Director Mircea Handru.
* Outstanding Achievement through the SkillsUSA Program: Presented to students and personnel from Vanguard-Sentinel Career and Technology Centers for their recognition as one of three schools named as a model of excellence through the SkillsUSA Program.
* May 21-27 as National EMS Week: Presented to Seneca County Emergency Services Director Don Ballah and other SCEMS personnel to commemorate the 49th National EMS Week.
All resolutions and budget adjustments from the agenda were approved.