Post-meeting release 9/2/21

Commissioners hear positive tourism update from chamber of commerce Thursday

[Tiffin, OH – Sept. 2, 2021] – The Seneca County Board of Commissioners heard a positive tourism report from staff members of the Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Services and Destination Seneca County Thursday morning.
Chamber Executive Director Bryce Riggs shared encouraging bed tax figures with the board to start the presentation.
In the first quarter of 2021, the bed tax generated $23,299.54, while the second quarter saw $35,746.53 collected. This figure was more than double what was generated in the second quarter last year during the COVID-19 shutdowns.
Marisa Stephens, the chamber’s Stakeholder Relations and Marketing Manager, shared some of the initiatives she has been working on since she started the job in May.
Stephens said her team has worked on refreshing the Destination Seneca County brand, and they have done this with billboards, flyers, social media outreach and much more.
She said social media reach, blog posts and website visitors have increased greatly in the past year.
Riggs closed the presentation by explaining the importance of having positive working relationships with many entities across the community. One way this has been accomplished has been through a partnership with the commissioners to create the Tourism Council. The council features several community leaders who come together monthly to discuss ways to make Seneca County the best destination it can be.
The commissioners thanked Riggs, Stephens and Deb Martorana for coming to give the presentation.
“Keep up the great work,” Commissioner Anthony Paradiso said.
In other business, the commissioners discussed the passage of Ohio Senate Bill 52, which gives county commissioners increased siting authority on large wind and solar projects.
When the bill is enacted on Oct. 11, commissioners have three new options concerning these projects. They can:
– Limit renewable energy construction projects in all or part of the county
– Approve or limit project requests
– Serve on the Ohio Power Siting Board
During the session, each of the commissioners expressed an interest in restricting the entire county from wind and solar development.
A public hearing on the matter is likely to be scheduled for October.
Also during the session, County Administrator Stacy Wilson provided a General Fund financial update.
The fund’s expenses for August equaled about $1.3 million with revenue of about $2.4 million. The revenue is inflated due to the second and final property tax settlement being collected.
For the year so far, General Fund expenses have been $12.7 million with revenue at about $13.5 million.
In new business, the board approved all resolutions and appropriations from the pre-meeting release.