Pre-meeting release for 9/10 session

Commissioners to meet via Zoom Thursday for a regular board session

[Tiffin, OH Sept. 8, 2020] – The Seneca County Board of Commissioners is to meet at 10 a.m. Thursday via Zoom.
The commissioners are encouraging residents to join them in the online meeting through the application Zoom, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. 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://zoom.us/j/92595230790.
Residents also can download the Zoom meeting app and join with meeting ID 925 9523 0790.
Those who would rather call in and listen to the audio of the meeting can dial (646) 558-8656 and use the meeting ID.
The meeting also is to be streamed on Facebook Live on the Seneca County Commissioners page.
Near the beginning of the meeting, Ron Burns and Kim Bond, of First Insurance Group, are to update the commissioners on the county’s health insurance program. FIG works with the county’s health insurance advisory board to make recommendations to the commissioners about the program. FIG administers and manages the health insurance options offered to county employees.
During old business, the commissioners are to continue their discussion on the status of the Seneca County Museum. The museum has been closed to visitors since March due to the ongoing health crisis and has been closed to volunteers and staff since April due to financial concerns related to the pandemic.
The commissioners received an offer from the Barnes-Deinzer Seneca County Museum Foundation to assume some operational control at the museum, in exchange for a bigger financial commitment from the group, thus relieving some of the financial strain on the county.
The commissioners agreed earlier this month to do some research and speak with interested stakeholders before making any decisions about the future of the museum.
Also during the meeting, the board is to consider the status of employees. In April, the commissioners formalized about $2 million in cuts to the General Fund budget, including a 20-percent reduction to salaries and wages.
The reconsideration is due to strong sales tax reports from August and July, which followed record-low sales tax figures from the previous two months. The Seneca County Budget Commission is to meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday to consider revising its annual General Fund revenue projection. The commission slashed $2 million from its original 2020 estimate of $17.5 million in April, amid the COVID-19 health crisis.
In other action, the board is to discuss its Budget Stabilization Fund, or Rainy-Day Fund. The fund currently holds $625,000 and is used to help supplement the county’s coffers during difficult economic times.

During new business, the commissioners are to consider:
* An $85,000 supplemental appropriation to the Justice Center Operating Fund for contract services.
* A $60,000 supplemental appropriation to the General Fund for medical costs at the Seneca County Jail.
* A $15,000 supplemental appropriation to the Victims of Crime Act Fund.
* Accepting the bid and agreement with M&B Asphalt Co., Inc. for the Issue 1, Round 34 2020 Seneca County Township Road Reconstruction Program.