Commissioners to consider hiring consultant for state capital budget process
Also to ponder hiring experienced paramedic for county’s Echo Unit
[Tiffin, OH August 28, 2019] – The Seneca County Board of Commissioners is to meet at 10 a.m. Friday at its office, 111 Madison St.
At about 10:30 a.m., Ray Yonkura and Mike Dittoe of High Bridge Consulting are to discuss a potential contract with the board.
According to the agency’s website, High Bridge specializes in government affairs, public relations, lobbying, strategic communication and management of political campaigns.
Yonkura is the former chief of staff for Congressman Jim Jordan. Dittoe spent about 15 years serving in a variety of positions for the leadership of the Ohio House of Representatives. He ended his tenure there as majority caucus chief of staff.
Commissioner Shayne Thomas suggested last week that High Bridge be brought on for a short-term deal with specific goals. His suggestion was for the group to help the county navigate the state capital budget process. The county could later re-evaluate the contract and consider extending it.
The biennial Capital Budget process generally begins during the late summer of odd-numbered years. The budget is enacted in each even-numbered year.
Earlier this week, High Bridge sent the commissioners a proposal for services. The proposal also included a letter from Dittoe who states “(we) believe we are the firm best positioned to lead your efforts in the state capital budget, and perhaps beyond.”
The contract requests compensation of $2,500 monthly.
In other business, the commissioners are expected to approve the hiring of Mike Longanbach as the newest full-time paramedic on the county’s Echo unit. Longanbach has been a part-time employee of the unit since 2010 but would move to full-time after recently retiring from Tiffin Fire Rescue Division after 32 years of service. Longanbach is an Ohio National Guard veteran who deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Also during the meeting, the board is to consider approving a proclamation making September 5 Seneca County Welcomes the World Day.
A “Tiffin Welcomes the World” event is to occur on Sept. 5 from 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. at The Chandelier, 151 S. Washington St., to welcome more than 250 international students into the community.
During resolutions, the board is to consider:
* An agreement with Bridges Academy for food services on behalf of the Seneca County Sheriff.