Post-meeting release 11/19

Commissioners congratulate state champion Calvert Volleyball team Thursday

[Tiffin, OH Nov. 19, 2020] – The Seneca County Board of Commissioners met via Zoom Thursday morning.
During the meeting, the board congratulated the Tiffin Calvert Lady Senecas Volleyball team and Head Coach Lori Rombach on winning a second state championship in three years.
Back in November 2018, when the team won the first state championship, coaches and players joined the commissioners’ meeting to accept a proclamation from the commissioners. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the team and coaches couldn’t join the meeting in person, but the team did join the meeting through Zoom.
Rombach thanked the commissioners and all the Calvert Volleyball fans and supporters in the community.
“This was truly a team win,” she said.
The commissioners presented a proclamation to the team and one to Rombach for her coach-of-the-year honors.
This week, the county is lighting the cupola at the Seneca County Justice Center with blue and white lights for the team. The board also put together a brief video for the Lady Senecas with words of encouragement from the commissioners.
“I’m always proud to say I’m a Calvert graduate,” Kerschner said. “I am so, so very proud of Calvert High School, but especially today, knowing that we are, indeed, state volleyball champions. Congratulations to all of you.”
In other action, the commissioners approved $56,269.13 of county-related expenditures to be funded with CARES Act money. The county has now approved about $1.2 million in CARES Act projects for unbudgeted expenses brought about by the current health crisis.
The county also made $1.25 million available through several community organizations to lend assistance to residents, nonprofits and businesses.
The county has a little less than $800,000 in CARES funding still available.
Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership Development Manager Audrey Flood updated the commissioners on the Seneca CARES Small Business Relief Grant Program, which was funded by the county and other townships and villages.
She said applications were accepted from Oct. 28-Nov. 9, and roughly 130 businesses requested assistance. Of the 130, about 60 were from the city of Tiffin, with 10-15 coming from nonprofit-organizations and the rest coming from businesses in townships and villages in the county.
Flood said more information would be available in the coming weeks on how much funding was awarded to businesses in the community.
Applications are still being accepted through Great Lakes Community Action Partnership, Tiffin-Seneca United Way and Seneca County Department of Job and Family Services for financial assistance. Residents could be eligible for rent/mortgage, utility or food assistance, among other programs.
Also during the meeting, the commissioners approved a proclamation recognizing Charles Giles as the Seneca County Veteran of the Year. A dinner event on Veterans Day to celebrate Giles and the holiday was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns, but the commissioners thanked Giles for his service to his country and his community.
The board also recognized November 2020 as National Adoption Month.

In new business, the board approved:
* A $33,570.33 supplemental appropriation to the General Fund on behalf of the board of elections.
* A $60,000 supplemental appropriation to the Maintenance and Repair Fund for salaries.
* A $90,000 supplemental appropriation to the Child Support Enforcement Fund.
* A $30,909.10 supplemental appropriation to the Workforce Investment Act Fund.
* A $1,500 supplemental appropriation to the General Fund for supplies on behalf of the auditor’s office.
* A $123,974.63 supplemental appropriation to the Children Services Fund.
* A $48,133.11 reduction to the VOCA Fund.
* A $93,119.23 supplemental appropriation to VOCA Fund in the transfers out line.
* A $250,000 supplemental appropriation to the Public Assistance Fund for contract services.
* A $60,939.50 fund transfer to the Public Assistance Fund.
* A $93,119.23 fund transfer to the VOCA Grant Fund.
* A $25,000 fund transfer for the Local Government Fund Alternate Formula to the Ambulance Service Fund.
* An agreement with the Ohio Department of Justice for the fiscal year 2020 Comprehensive Opioid Stimulant and Substance Abuse Site-Based Program on behalf of the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office.
* Placing King/Ruthman Ditch District SC#11-363 on Permanent Maintenance.
* Authorizing the 2021 Wellness Extra Incentive Premium Differentials for 2022 Discount.
* Authorizing a contract service agreement with Huron County Board of Commissioners for the receipt, custody and care of Huron County juveniles on behalf of the Seneca County Youth Center for 2021.