Post-meeting release 4/30

Commissioners hear agricultural update from OSU extension office
Also receive bids from three companies for chip seal project

[Tiffin, OH April 30, 2019] – The Seneca County Board of Commissioners heard an agricultural update and heard about upcoming programs and events from the county’s Ohio State University Extension Office.
According to information from the extension office, about 1,048 different youths were exposed to 4-H through their school at least once during 2018. About 1,014 students enrolled in traditional 4-H across 44 different clubs. More than 1,180 animals were exhibited at the Seneca County Fair in 2019, while 682 projects were evaluated during summer judging.
The program could not have been successful without the help of 150 adult volunteers.
Hallie Williams, who started work Oct. 1 as the office’s agricultural and natural resources educator, said she launched a youth livestock judging team this year. She said about 40 people showed up to the initial meeting and said about 25 team members across five different teams participated in the Ohio Beef Expo. Williams said the activity has many great benefits for participants.
“Most of these kids have never done livestock judging before,” she said. “It hones kids’ decision-making skills and their public-speaking skills.”
She also said the 2019 annual 4-H kick off is May 10 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Seneca County Fairgrounds.
Also during the meeting, the board received the following bids for the county chip seal project:
Engineer’s estimate: $617,650
Henry Bergman Inc., of Genoa, $587,135.30, Unilliance, of Oak Harbor, $584,276.50 and Ward Construction Company of Leipsic, $595,422.90
In other action, Commissioner Shayne Thomas brought attention to Bike to School/Work week. The commissioners’ office is working with the North Central Ohio Regional Council of Governments (NCORcog) and the North Central Ohio Educational Service Center to promote the event. The organizations are touting the many benefits of riding a bike to work or school.
Children and adults around the nation will be participating in the event next week. The day of the event is May 8, however, anyone who rides their bike to work or school from May 6-10 and sends a picture via text or e-mail to John Davoli, (419) 619-9999 or jdavoli@ncoesc.org, along with your adult male shirt size, will win a free Bike to School/Work t-shirt!

During resolutions, the board approved:
* A $90,000 supplemental appropriation to the Workforce Investment Act Fund.
* A $4,000 supplemental appropriation to the Probate and Juvenile Court Computer Fund for contract services.
* A $12,000 supplemental appropriation to the Targeted Community Alternatives to Prison Grant Fund for contract services.
* A $100,000 supplemental appropriation to the Seneca County Justice Center Operating Fund for contract services including maintenance, utilities and landscaping.
* Authorizing the Seneca County Common Pleas Court I to utilize credit cards for expenditures, retroactive to April 15.
* Setting a hearing for 9:30 a.m. May 30 for the potential vacation of the Perry-Wilhelm Tile Group in Bloom Township.