Post-meeting release 3/10/22

Commissioners learn about mental health program, honor Ohio 4-H Week Thursday

[Tiffin, OH – March 10th, 2022] – During Thursday’s session the Seneca County Board of Commissioners heard from representatives of NAMI of Seneca, Sandusky and Wyandot Counties; and members of the Sandusky County Mobile Crisis Response Team about a new program coming to Seneca County.
Dave Olds, from NAMI, said that the recent creation of a crisis response team in Sandusky has been very successful by working closely with law enforcement to address gaps in getting mental health services to those in need. NAMI is working with Seneca County Sheriff Fred Stevens to bring the project to Seneca County in July.
The team works closely with law enforcement officers to lessen the stress of mental-health-related crises. Olds said the crisis team supports public safety and the citizens by better handling mental health-related calls. He also said the crisis response team works with citizens in the long-term to help connect them to the services they need.
Olds said the program can reduce hospitalization numbers, reduce total calls handled by law enforcement and reduce the time law enforcement personnel must spend on calls. The program is of no cost to the county.
Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Seneca, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wyandot Counties Executive Director Mircea Handru said that this is the “single most significant project” that he has seen launched since he’s been a part of the community. Handru has been in his position for about 10 years and has also been a leader on the county’s Opiate Task Force, which has helped facilitate many major projects and initiatives.
In other action, Ohio State University Extension Educator for 4-H Youth Development Katie Cole visited the commissioners and was presented a proclamation recognizing March 6-12 as Ohio 4-H Week. Cole said more than 1,000 youths are involved with 4-H in Seneca County in addition to 150 adult volunteers.
Seneca East High School Junior Alexis Margraf spoke to the commissioners about how 4-H has helped her become a better public speaker and a more extroverted individual. She is involved with several different parts of 4-H and is a member of the Republic Rowdy Rednecks 4-H club.
Cole said the deadline for students to join 4-H this year is March 20th. Here is the proclamation.
In other business, County Administrator Stacy Wilson provided a packet of information to the commissioners including capital project priority recommendations from the county administrative team. Wilson worked with county staff to rank and prioritize capital project requests. Over the next couple of weeks, the commissioners are expected to do further research and create their own priority lists. After this process is finished, the board is to decide what projects can be funded in the next 1-2 years.
So far in 2022, the commissioners have had several discussions on the capital project list. Last week the board reviewed 114 different project requests. Of the 114, 68 have price estimates totaling more than $15 million. The county can use some or all of its $10.7 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to work on some of these capital projects.
In other action, the commissioners agreed on an option to purchase about 3 acres of land on US 224 in Bloom Township. The option allows the commissioners 120 days to decide if it wants to move forward and acquire the property, which would be used for a new Seneca County EMS station. The price of the portion of the parcel would be about $52,500. According to the Seneca County Auditor’s website, the portion of the parcel that could be purchased is located near 9428 E. US 224.
Earlier this year, the commissioners set aside $750,000 to move forward with a new EMS building. This funding can be used to purchase the land.
During new business, the board approved:
* Supplemental appropriations totaling $1,700 to the Concealed Handgun Licenses Fund.
* A $.40 supplemental appropriation to the Differential Response Fund (Department of Job and Family Services) for contract services.
* A $6,625 supplemental appropriation to the General Fund for contract Services.
* A $118,909 supplemental appropriation to the General Fund to the Transfers Out Line.
* An appropriation adjustment to the Opportunity Park Improvements Fund of $196,000 for contract services.
* A resolution authorizing fund transfers to be made to the Soil and Water Fund, moving $118,909 from the General Fund to the Soil and Water Fund.
* A fund advance from the General Fund to the County Community Development Block Grant 2021 Fund of $15,000.
* Appointing the health commissioner to establish a hybrid drug overdose and suicide facility review committee.
* Setting 10:30 a.m. on March 31st to receive sealed bids for the TR 132, CR 49 and TR 8 superstructure replacement (prestressed box beams) project).
* Setting 10:15 a.m. on April 7th to receive sealed bids for the 2022 pavement markings project.