Post-meeting release 10/16

Commissioners hear update on bus transit plan, OSU extension ag agent
The board also hears about Attica event and makes a decision on landfill fees, HSA contributions

[Loudon Township, OH Oct. 16, 2018] – Seneca County commissioners heard an update on the county’s bus transit plan from Seneca Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Charlene Watkins Tuesday evening in Loudon Township. The plan is about 80-percent funded by reimbursement grants from the Ohio Department of Transportation. The total cost of the plan is expected to be about $30,000.
The plan, which was launched in June, is ongoing and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The plan is to establish the timing of routes, how many buses are needed, the cost of operation and how to establish routes.
In December, the commissioners allocated about $5,000 to fund the plan, while several other sources also pitched in. On Tuesday, Watkins said about $3,900 would be reimbursed to the county.
In other business, the commissioners heard from two new agriculture agents from the Ohio State University extension office who are working for the county. Hallie Williams, extension educator for agriculture and natural resources and Katie Cole, 4-H youth educator, both introduced themselves to the board.
The county has not had a full-time ag agent for about seven years. One of the positions is fully funded by the state, while the other is a shared cost between the county and the state for three years before it is fully taken on by the county.
In other action, the commissioners invited the public to a Thursday evening event in Attica to celebrate and thank those involved with the demolition of the former Attica Eagles building. The Seneca County Land Bank, Sutton Bank and several others played a key role in bringing down the building. The event is Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the former building site.
Also during the meeting, the commissioners agreed to waive a quarterly charge to Sunny Farms Landfill while the company is not using the county’s sewer line.
The company is not currently using a line connected to the county’s system because of a change in operations.
The landfill currently owes about $15,101 in overdue payments from this year, and they are to pay that fee, plus the roughly $4,562 assessed on Sept. 26 for the third quarter of this year. They will not be billed until they use the line again.
In another matter, the board agreed to increase the county contribution to employees’ Health Savings Accounts. For family plans, the increase was from $1,000 to $1,500 while the single plan contribution was increased from $500 to $750.
Also during the meeting, the board agreed to waive the sewer tap-in fee ($3,500) for the new Bascom firehouse.

During appropriations the board approved:
* A $16,129 supplemental appropriation to the Targeted Community Alternatives to Prison Fund.
* A $4,200 supplemental appropriation to the Seneca County Sewer District Improvements Fund.
* A $5,804.06 supplemental appropriation for a note interest payment.
* A $14,400 supplemental appropriation on behalf of Seneca County Sheriff’s Office to repair a boiler and to replace a service line cart that is used for food preparation and service.