Seneca County Commissioners hear update from Ohio Treasurer’s office
By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Media Relations Coordinator
Pat McCauley, the public affairs liaison for Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague, attended the Sept. 19 Seneca County Commissioners’ meeting to talk about programs available to residents across the state.
“I wanted to give you an update on programs and see how we can help Seneca County,” McCauley said.
McCauley shared information on five programs:
- The State Treasury Asset Reserve of Ohio (STAR Ohio) is an investment program open to all government subdivisions. The Ohio Treasurer’s office manages STAR Ohio’s portfolio and works to maximize returns for participants. For more information, visit STAROhio.com.
- Ohio Homebuyer Plus, which launched in January, is a savings plan for Ohioans that provides higher interest rates. It offers tax-advantaged savings accounts for Ohio residents saving money to purchase a home. Participants must be at least 18 years old. The home must be a primary residence in Ohio, and the funds must be used for a down payment or on closing costs for the home. For more information, visit ohiotreasurer.gov/homebuyerplus.
- The Agricultural Linked Deposit Program (ag-LINK) offers up to a 3% interest rate reduction on new or existing operating loans for farm operators, agribusinesses and agricultural cooperatives. For more information, visit ohiotreasurer.gov/ag-link.
- The Ohio Market Access Program (OMAP) is a credit enhancement program that assists governments with financing short-term capital projects. For more information, visit tos.ohio.gov/omap.
- The STABLE Account program allows individuals with disabilities to save and invest money without losing federal benefits such as Medicaid or SSI. Individuals who developed a disability before the age of 26 may be eligible to open an account. For more information, visit stableaccount.com.
During the commissioners’ reports, Commissioner Tyler Shuff said he and Seneca County Administrator Barb Patterson attended the Seneca County Department of Job & Family Services Employee Appreciation Luncheon on Sept. 12.
“It was nice to give thanks to the employees. They have a tough job,” Shuff said.
Shuff also said the commissioners will participate in the Heritage Festival Parade in downtown Tiffin on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 10 a.m.
Commissioner Frankart talked about the ribbon cutting for Seneca County EMS’s first new station, Bloomville Station #4. The event was hosted by the Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce. Among the many moving elements of the program, Frankart was impressed with an honorary flyover by the Life Flight helicopter.
“What a great day, and what a great turnout,” Frankart said.
Commissioner Anthony Paradiso also mentioned the ribbon cutting and thanked Seneca County EMS Director Chris Hafley for all of his work.
“We’re looking forward to dedicating our second station, hopefully in November,” Paradiso said.
Hafley attended the commissioners’ meeting to share that Senator JD Vance sent a commendation honoring the opening of the Bloomville station. In the commendation, Vance wrote that the station represents “a critical step forward in ensuring top-quality emergency medical services for the region.”
In her administrator’s report, Patterson announced that county maintenance worker Dean Distel will be retiring on Friday, Sept. 27 after 21 years of employment. Patterson welcomes county employees to stop by the commissioners’ office during their lunch hour on Sept. 27 to wish Distel a happy retirement.
In other business, the commissioners approved nine supplemental appropriations and passed five resolutions.
The Seneca County Commissioners honor the long, colorful history of Seneca County, which celebrates its 200th birthday in 2024.