Post meeting release, December 12, 2024
Seneca County Commissioners hold two public hearings at Dec. 12 meeting
By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Media Relations Coordinator
Two public hearings were held during the Dec. 12 Seneca County Commissioners’ meeting, one for a road vacation in Eden Township and one regarding proposed increased fees at the Seneca County Dog Warden’s office.
A resident who owns property at Mohawk Lake in Eden Township requested a road vacation on county-owned property adjacent to their own. Several local property owners and Mohawk County Club board members attended the meeting to voice opposing views. Seneca County Engineer Mark Zimmerman explained the legal process of road vacation before the meeting was open to public comments.
Ohio Revised Code dictates that process. After a petition is filed for a road vacation, a notice must be sent to affected landowners and placed in a local newspaper. The county commissioners must attend a viewing to make a visual assessment of the property, and then a public hearing must be held to allow interested parties to present their arguments. That hearing was held during the Dec. 12 commissioners’ meeting.
“Your commissioners want to hear what you have to say,” Zimmerman told the crowd. “They want to make informed decisions.”
The commissioners considered each argument, and, in the end, they yielded to the opinion of the Eden Township Trustees, which previously passed a resolution supporting the vacation of the road.
During the second public hearing held during the commissioners’ meeting, Seneca County Dog Warden Kelly Marker presented requests to the commissioners, including a request to increase certain fees. Marker did not request an increase in dog tag fees. She asked for an increase in surrender fees and boarding fees, and she made a request regarding veterinary fees, which are a costly element of the dog warden’s expenditures.
“Currently, we can’t go after dog owners when we pick up a dog and there is a vet bill,” Marker said.
Marker talked about a recent situation that involved an injured dog that was abandoned by its owner. Marker was told the owner would retrieve the dog, but they did not.
“We were left with a $3,000 bill we couldn’t collect,” Marker said.
The commissioners passed a resolution that gives Marker the authority to charge veterinary fees as needed. The resolution also approved an increase in surrender fees from $20 to $50 and in an increase in boarding fees from $8 to $10.
The commissioners talked about the many meetings and events they attended this week during their commissioners’ reports. Both Commissioner Tyler Shuff and Commissioner Bill Frankart attended the Holiday Tree Lighting Experience and Kris Kringle Markt on Dec. 6, where Commissioner Shuff was among the dignitaries who addressed the packed downtown Tiffin crowd. Commissioner Shuff described the event as “a Hallmark scene.”
“It was very well attended,” Commissioner Shuff said. “I appreciate the volunteers and all that they do.”
Commissioner Frankart attended the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the Sutton Bank Rink at Oakley Park. The synthetic rink creates the opportunity for ice skating in any weather.
“What a great addition to the city,” Commissioner Frankart said.
Commissioner Shuff attended a downtown marketing committee meeting, which is comprised of talented locals who work hard to create a vibrant and thriving downtown district.
“We have a lot of things to be proud of in this community,” he said.
Commissioner Frankart attended the Seneca County Fair Board meeting. The board discussed the success of Seneca County Family Fair Lights, which features 154 light displays, and they talked about the 2025 schedule.
“They’re looking forward to next year,” Commissioner Frankart said.
Commissioners Frankart and Shuff attended the OSS Solid Waste District board of directors meeting on Dec. 11. Among many other topics, the board discussed the ongoing efforts of the Seneca County General Health District to protect public health.
“I want to give a shoutout to our health department. We’re definitely supportive of all the things you do,” Commissioner Frankart said.
Former Seneca County Commissioner Mike Kerschner attended the meeting and took a moment to thank outgoing Commissioner Shuff for his years of service to local residents. Commissioner Shuff chose to not seek reelection, and his term concludes at the end of the year.
“Thank you for your service to the community,” Kerschner said. “I know what you’ve done has always been in the interests of the people who put you in that chair.”
In other business, the commissioners approved 15 supplemental appropriations and passed three resolutions.