Seneca County Commissioners pass resolution to approve 2025 budget
By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Media Relations Coordinator
During the Nov. 21 Seneca County Commissioners’ meeting, the commissioners passed a resolution to approve the 2025 budget. They faced challenges as they applied a conservative approach to the budget. Among those challenges were an 18% increase in health insurance premiums for county employees, an approximate 5% increase in property and casualty insurance premiums, and $1.5 million in requests in excess of the budget amount approved by the budget commission.
In the end, the commissioners approved a 2025 budget totaling $22,409,316.31. Necessary cuts included in this year’s budget were the removal of all travel expenses and a reduction in supply line funds. Cuts in the budget were made with a goal of including pay raises for county employees in 2025.
“I recommend a 2% pay increase for employees,” said Seneca County Administrator Barb Patterson. “I wanted to make sure we can do something for our employees.”
The commissioners had a busy week of meetings and events. Among other meetings, Commissioner Bill Frankart attended the Fostoria Economic Development Corporation (FEDC) board meeting, where FEDC President Renee Smith provided details about a new partnership between Fostoria Learning Center and Vanguard Career & Technical Center. Vanguard with offer construction and manufacturing programs at the Fostoria Learning Center for high school juniors and seniors in 2025.
FEDC also worked with Seneca County judges to successfully seek OneOhio funds, which are part of funds the State of Ohio is receiving from the pharmaceutical industry as a consequence of its role in the national opioid epidemic. Seneca County courts received $157,655 in OneOhio funds for the PIVOT Court Program. In addition, FEDC is working on multiple expansion projects in Fostoria.
Commissioner Frankart also attended a public information session and hearing hosted by the Ohio EPA regarding a draft air permit-to-install requested by VRNG Seneca, LLC. VRNG requested a permit to refine gas from the WIN Waste Innovations landfill to create “pipeline quality natural gas,” according to the Ohio EPA. The meeting was held at Stacy’s Place in Fostoria on Nov. 20.
Among other activity, Commissioner Anthony Paradiso attended Seneca County EMS meetings this week.
“We were looking at the budget and numbers. It’s all very positive,” Paradiso said. “We’re getting some good alignment and good momentum going into next year.”
Commissioner Paradiso shared good news about State Senator Bill Reineke regarding Ohio’s 136th General Assembly.
“We want to congratulate Sen. Reineke for being elected by his peers as Senate Pro-Tempore,” Paradiso said.
In other business, the commissioners approved 18 supplemental appropriations and passed seven resolutions, including a resolution to set Thursday, Jan. 16, at 10 a.m. at the Seneca County Commissioners’ Office as the deadline to receive sealed bids for interior renovations at the Seneca County Opportunity Center for the Seneca County Board of Developmental Disabilities at 780 E. County Road 20 in Tiffin.
Opportunity Center Superintendent Lew Hurst attended the meeting to provide information about the renovation project. New state regulations prohibit organizations from offering services funded by Medicaid in space adjacent to a school. The new law forced the Opportunity Center to seek an outside location for adult programming.
The adults with developmental disabilities served by the Opportunity Center will now meet in a new building on Fair Lane in Tiffin, and their current space will be renovated with the funds approved by the resolution. The current space will be converted into much-needed classrooms and offices.
“This will allow us to meet the growing needs of children,” Hurst said.
The commissioners expressed gratitude to Hurst and his staff for the work they do serving residents in the county.
“You do a fantastic job,” Frankart said.
The commissioners also passed a resolution setting Dec. 12 at 10:05 a.m. at the commissioners’ office for a public hearing regarding a proposed increase in dog warden fees. Patterson clarified that the increase would not apply to dog tag fees. Instead, the increase would affect costs for dogs that are surrendered, for boarding, and for veterinary bills.
There are meeting time changes in the coming weeks. There will be no commissioners’ meeting the week of Nov. 25 due to the Thanksgiving holiday. The next commissioners’ meeting will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. There will be no meeting on Thursday, Dec. 5. The commissioners will hold meetings on Dec. 12 and 19, with a Dec. 26 meeting, if needed.