Pre-meeting release for 5/27 session

Commissioners to hear from Mental Health and Recovery Services Board director
Also to host a work session on how to use $10 million in American Rescue Plan funds

[Tiffin, OH May 25, 2021] – The Seneca County Board of Commissioners is to meet at 10 a.m. Thursday for a regular board session.
The commissioners are encouraging residents to join them in the online meeting through the application Zoom. To maintain maximum accessibility, the meeting will be recorded, archived and streamed live through Zoom. Residents can join the meeting by computer or mobile device at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/92595230790?pwd=c0d1cVJ0MVY4RXUwSERweXo4SnE2QT09.
Residents also can download the Zoom meeting app and join with meeting ID 925 9523 0790. The passcode for the meeting is 453802. Those who would rather call in and listen to the audio of the meeting can dial (646) 558-8656 and use the meeting ID and then enter the passcode.
The meeting also is to be streamed on Facebook on the Seneca County Commissioners page.
At about 10:15 a.m., the commissioners are to hear from Mircea Handru, executive director of the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Seneca, Sandusky and Wyandot Counties.
In April, Handru told the commissioners that the mental health board in Ottawa County was interested in merging with his board. During the May 13th meeting, the commissioners agreed to accept Ottawa County into the organization. Handru said several other steps must occur before it becomes official but mentioned that money raised by levies in Seneca County will continue to help people in Seneca County. He also said he would not recommend the merger without knowing that there would be no reduction or interruption in services to the three counties currently in the organization. The merger still needs state approval, but Handru said he hopes the addition of Ottawa County could become official by July 1.
In other action, the commissioners have scheduled a board work session for 11 a.m. to discuss American Rescue Plan funding. Last week, the county received the first of two equal, $5,358,840 payments from the federal government. The commissioners have discussed some general ideas on how to best use the funding but have been awaiting guidelines from state and federal authorities. During the work session Thursday, the board will continue planning how best to use the $10.7 million over the next few years.
In new business, the board is to consider:
• A $150 supplemental appropriation to the General Fund for Common Pleas Court II Travel and expenses.
• A $3,000 supplemental appropriation to the General Fund for Commissioners Travel and Expenses.
• A $4,000 supplemental appropriation to the Drugged Driving Enforcement Fund for salaries, and an $84 supplemental appropriation to the same fund for the Workers Compensation Line.
• A contract with Pictometry International Corp. for the digital aerial photography of Seneca County on behalf of the Seneca County Auditor.