Pre-meeting release for 8/9 session

Commissioners to honor Science Day students who excelled at state event
Also to hear update from First Step, mental health board

[Tiffin, OH August 7, 2019] – The Seneca County Board of Commissioners is to meet at 9 a.m. Friday at its office, 111 Madison St.
During new business, the board will hear from some Tiffin Columbian High School students who excelled at state Science Day in Columbus.
Jorie Fawcett, Corbin Hite and Jocelyn Hardina were recognized for their exceptional science projects at the state competition and all were invited to the meeting to discuss what they worked on. The commissioners signed and sent a letter to each of them congratulating them for being recognized for their hard work and dedication.
The letter the students received states, “your passion, hard work and dedication are shining examples to your peers, and we look forward to hearing more from you as you move forward into a bright future.”
In other business, Kelly Beckett from First Step is to address the board. First Step, which is headquartered in Fostoria, provides shelter, advocacy and counseling to victims of domestic violence.
Beckett visited the commissioners in May, just a month after the agency’s executive director of 33 years, Terri Mercer, had died of cancer. Beckett previously worked as a consultant for the group before taking over as interim director.
Also during the meeting, Mircea Handru, executive director of the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Seneca, Sandusky and Wyandot Counties, is to discuss the Targeted Community Alternatives to Prison grant with the board.
According to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction’s website, the purpose of this grant opportunity is to provide funds to local communities to effectively supervise, provide treatment services and hold accountable low-level, non-violent offenders in the community. The county participated in the grant program in 2018 and 2019 and the commissioners must decide if they want to continue the program for 2020 and 2021. The county would be eligible to receive $270,088 over the two-year grant period.
In other action, the commissioners are expected to receive a request to purchase a new truck to be used by Weights and Measures personnel.

During resolutions, the board is to consider:
* A supplemental appropriation of $5,000 to the General Fund for out-of-county travel.
* A supplemental appropriation of $250,000 to the Transfers Out line to be used by the Seneca County Department of Job and Family Services for children services expenses. DJFS personnel made the funding request last month to combat rising costs.
* A contract with Cornerstone Historical Building Restoration for window repair at the Carriage House at the county museum. The program is grant-funded.
* Setting time, date and place to accept bids to lease farmland in Hopewell Township.
* Authorizing annual assessments upon benefitted landowners for maintenance work performed by Seneca Soil and Water Conservation District, Ditch Maintenance Department.