Cecilia Blevins

The meeting addressed the certification of claims schedules for payment batches to the County Auditor and the appropriation of $202,000.00 into the Landfill Account Fund #510 for Landfill Construction. Agreements between the Huron County Sheriff and the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association for various staff units, effective January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028, were approved. The Board approved the Certificate of Substantial Completion for the Huron County Downtown Office Complex Reroof project performed by Damschroder Roofing Inc. Re-appointments to the Huron County Planning Commission for three-year terms commencing January 1, 2026, were made. Expenditures exceeding $5,000.00, specifically $8,595.00 for Power Source for Security Camera Network under Buildings and Grounds, were approved. The termination of probationary employee Michael Spayde was approved, effective December 29, 2025. Discussions were held regarding funding assistance for a bridge project in Plymouth, involving potential contributions from Richland County and Ashland Railway. Interviews were conducted with Cordogan Clark regarding potential courthouse renovation and with Garmann Miller regarding the courthouse assessment, including requests for proposals concerning exterior decorative lighting and mural restoration. The Board also discussed the interim budget process leading up to the final budget commission meeting, including the potential use of funds from the Benefits Reserve line.

This revised draft Solid Waste Management Plan for Huron County Solid Waste Management District outlines a strategy for 2024-2038. Its core objectives are to reduce waste generation and disposal, ensure sufficient landfill capacity, and decrease reliance on landfills in Ohio. The plan emphasizes enhancing waste reduction and recycling efforts, focusing on key areas such as environmental education and digital marketing campaigns to promote active waste diversion among residents and businesses. It aims to develop necessary infrastructure and address challenges to achieve long-term sustainability and improve current residential/commercial waste diversion rates, which are below state goals.

The board addressed several resolutions, including certifying claims schedules for payment batches, accepting the resignation of Tim Smith, authorizing the advertisement for a full-time Maintenance Worker II position, and approving an agreement with Garmann Miller & Associates, Inc. for Phase 1 of the Huron County Courthouse Renovation Project. Furthermore, an Independent Contractor Agreement for Government Relations Services with Northway Advisors, LLC was approved, and a resolution was passed to dispose of obsolete county property. During the session, the board also authorized the application for the Ohio Department of Agriculture Land Use Planning Grant on behalf of several partner entities to update the Huron County Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The County Auditor provided a detailed financial report covering 2025 sales tax collection, general fund revenue, and outstanding debt obligations, noting a strong economic outlook based on sales tax performance. An Investment Board meeting was held concurrently where appointments for Chairman and Vice Chairman were made and the minutes of the previous quarterly meeting were approved.

The Board conducted several official actions during the session. Key discussions involved certifying claims schedules for payment batches to the Huron County Auditor, authorizing appropriation adjustments within the DYS Subsidy Fund and the General Fund, and approving appointments to the Huron Metropolitan Housing Authority and the Huron County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Furthermore, the Board approved an agreement with Cleveland Communications, Inc. for the purchase and setup of two additional transmit and receive sites for the L3Harris simulcast radio system. Service agreements with Frontier Communications of America, Inc. for Dedicated Internet Access and Memorandums of Understanding with the Village of Greenwich, the Tri-Community Fire Board, and the Village of Wakeman regarding the installation of antennas and equipment for public safety communications were also approved. Fund transfers for Radio Infrastructure Projects and the approval of expenditures exceeding $5,000.00 were addressed. A public comment was heard regarding resident concerns about wind turbines. An update on the Phone RFP process was provided, followed by a session on employee compensation terms.

The Board discussed and approved expenditures exceeding $5,000.00, specifically approving $59,753.71 for a Xerox IT Solutions Replacement Server for the Data Center. Travel requests were approved for two individuals: one to attend a CAD software demonstration in Cambridge, Ohio, and another to attend a Youth Summit Event in Fremont, Ohio. Under old/new business, Commissioner Brady reported on the Palmer Energy Aggregation Program, noting that a multi-county pool could lead to further cost savings and scheduling a meeting for March 5, 2026. Commissioner Brady also confirmed his attendance at the Transportation Improvement District Meeting and an upcoming ODOT in-person meeting scheduled for March 18, 2026. Commissioner Dunlap reported positively on the HCGP agency's performance. Both commissioners reported on an unproductive meeting with Senator Husted due to external disruptions.