|
| Description |
MONDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2006 SESSION |
| Date |
12/18/2006 |
Location |
Commissioners Session Room |
| |
| Time |
Speaker |
Note |
|
9:00:05 AM |
Call Meeting to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Opening Prayer
Roll Call Attendance - All Present
Resolution 2006-888 Approve Minutes of December
14, 2006 |
Commissioner Barnaby made the motion and Commissioner Genter
seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously |
|
9:01:55 AM |
OLD BUSINESS
Weekly Dog Warden Report Week of December 10, 2006 through
December 15, 2006
|
|
|
9:02:16 AM |
Review Permissive Sales Tax Figures
|
|
|
9:04:12 AM |
Ken Caldwell, Fulton County Job and Family Services
Director - Quarterly Report
|
Mr. Caldwell presented the 3rd quarter report
for the Commissioners to review. He commented there was not much
change in Medicaid. Food stamps were up about 100,000 but has
leveled off. Cash assistance was down a little. There will
probably be an increase in foster care costs for the last
quarter. Last week JFS went completely to an internet based time
clock. So far it has been well received by employees. Cost will
be recouped in a short time. Training and employee reviews can
be tracked with this program. Commissioner Graf questioned who
all would have access to these records. Mr. Caldwell said that
only the employee, Janis and Barb for payroll purposes, and
himself.
Mr. Caldwell invited the Board to a luncheon that will be held
on Thursday. He has a recognition plaque that he would like the
Commissioners to present for monies raised by the JFS employees
for some of their organizations. |
|
9:12:00 AM |
|
|
|
9:14:39 AM |
NEW BUSINESS
Resolutions:
Resolution 2006-889 Increase and/or Transfer Funds or
Appropriations for Various Departments
|
Commissioner Barnaby made the motion and Commissioner Genter
seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously |
|
9:15:59 AM |
Resolution 2006-890 Ratify Collective
Bargaining Agreement 2006-112 between Fulton County Sheriff and
FOP
|
Commissioner Barnaby made the motion and
Commissioner Genter seconded the motion. Motion carried
unanimously |
|
9:16:34 AM |
Resolution 2006-891 Enter into Electronic
Document Management Purchase Contract 2006-113 with Northwoods
Consulting Partners for Job & Family Services
|
Commissioner Barnaby made the motion and
Commissioner Graf seconded the motion. Motion carried
unanimously |
|
9:17:44 AM |
Resolution 2006-892 Enter into Housekeeping
Contracts 2007-01 through 2007-07 with Various Vendors
|
Commissioner Genter made the motion and
Commissioner Graf seconded the motion. Motion carried
unanimously |
|
9:18:24 AM |
Resolution 2006-893 Enter into Contracts
2007-08 through 2007-13 with Various Vendors for the Dept. of
Job and Family Services
|
Commissioner Barnaby made the motion and
Commissioner Genter seconded the motion. Motion carried
unanimously |
|
9:19:03 AM |
Resolution 2006-894 Approve and Certify Annual
County Highway System Mileage
|
Commissioner Barnaby made the motion and
Commissioner Graf seconded the motion. Motion carried
unanimously |
|
9:20:14 AM |
Resolution 2006-895 Approve Purchase Orders
and Travel Requests
|
Commissioner Genter made the motion and
Commissioner Graf seconded the motion. Motion carried
unanimously |
|
9:20:48 AM |
Recess until 9:30 appointment |
|
|
9:30:22 AM |
Naomi Twining - Update on Underground Railroad King
Memorial Project |
Ms. Twining, historian from Toledo, Ohio,
reminded the Commissioners of the project that she is working on
presently - the Underground Railroad King Memorial project. This
land is in Delta and was owned by the King family. Ms. Twining
gave a brief history of the underground railroad. She would like
to have the Commissioners' names on the monument. While
realizing the Commissioners cannot contribute financially she
would appreciate a letter of recommendation from the Board and
provided an address for that purpose. The Board will draft a
letter of support for Ms. Twining. |
|
9:45:32 AM |
Roy Norman, Fulton County Farm Bureau - Discuss Extension
and Soil & Water Budgets for 2007 |
Mr. Norman brought several Farm Bureau members
with him this morning.
Roger Snyder, current president, started with a few comments. He
stated that he has been on the SWCD board in the past - at that
time one of the best boards in the state, and in looking at the
budget the county is proposing, does not believe this will help
the situation at all. His opinion is that the board has been
downhill since the 90's anyway - not so much as lack of funds
but in leadership. He added that the new office is great and
everyone is proud of it, but at the same time realizes it is a
big draw on funds - what will happen to that....might as well
shut the doorsLucas County supports their Coil & Water on a
little of nothing and that's what they got - a little of nothing
as far as he's concerned. When he farms and buys fertilizer,
chemicals and seed and tries to cut back but there are only so
many ways that you can cut back but need to create the income to
take care of it. Several months ago Delta approached him about
receiving some free lime from the water plant, saying that it
was probably the last chance to get some. He figured he better
get some as it didn't cost him anything. He agreed to take some
and the next day it rained six-tenths of an inch and they were
out there the same day, doing a half-a**ed job. That's exactly
what he paid for. If he had it to do over again he would tell
them they could keep the lime. For every dollar the
Commissioners spend on Soil & Water at least $8 come back in the
county. He sees jobs being eliminated. He added that he had
hoped they would have 3 commissioners that would support the
agriculture industry but does not see that support happening
according to their thinking. Seeing $75,000 seems a pretty big
cut. He realizes economic development is something to be had but
this county isn't going to get away from agriculture for awhile.
He concluded by saying that he feels the county should support
the Soil & Water and Extension. He doesn't know how they are
going to operate with the cuts to their budget as proposed.
Keith Truckor, local farmer and Farm Bureau member, spoke about
how this cut (resulting in $135,000) would jeopordize services
to Fulton County and asked that the budget be reinstated to the
2006 level. He sees it as an investment in Fulton County.
Carol Willson, past president of Fulton County Farm Bureau,
spoke about the 4th grade Ag Fest held the last several years
led by Amanda Podach. Ms. Willson said that Ms. Podach is in the
schools on a regular basis and provides education that she hates
to see go by the wayside. Keeping the public educated is what
has made our county important and asked the Board as well to
reconsider.
Judd McClarren, another Farm Bureau member, spoke in support of
SWCD and Extension and that he concurred with the other
speakers. He believes the county has done a great job putting
programs together with SWCD and Extension. If we as a county
start squelching that and our people awareness of agriculture -
we are on a downward spiral and going fast. Interest and
knowledge of agriculture would be lessened greatly. He
challenged the Commissioners to rethink their budget cuts.
Trish Andre, past Farm Bureau president, told of all her
involvement in the ag community through 4-H and FFA with her
children and others. Making this education available is vital to
the county. Providing opportunities through 4-H are just some of
the little things that budget cuts affect. Both SWCD and
Extension work together and provide valuable services to the
county - especially to the youth. She would like to see the
Commissioners reconsider their proposed cuts to these budgets.
Mr. Norman concluded by conveying their appreciation to the
Commissioners and stressing again the importance of the services
these 2 programs provide. These organizations are vital to the
ag community. Fulton County is and always will be a strong
agricultural community. In looking at today's public the
community wants clean air and clean water - a reduction in soil
erosion going into the Great Lakes. These two programs are great
way to educate and help the public maintain a clean and healthy
environment. In looking at today's agriculture needs in the
changing industry with new markets arising, such as ethanol
facilities, there are also new diseases arising in our crops and
strong organizations like Soil & Water and Extension are needed
to help farmers maintain yield production cost effectively. He
added that he appreciates the need to cut the budget and are not
here to say they are not willing to take any cuts but it appears
to be balancing the budget on the backs of two very strong
organizations -Soil & Water and Extension, that bring back a lot
of value some easily measured in dollars, other value not easily
measured. The impact these budget cuts will have on the county
will be felt for a long time so they would appreciate the
Commissioners going back and taking another look at the budget
to where there might be some other cuts elsewhere.
Commissioner Graf explained to the group what mandated services
are and exactly what has influenced the need and the decision to
make budget cuts. CCNO and health insurance alone amount to over
$800,000. Under statute, the county must provide for mandated
services so in times of budget crunch the non-mandated services
are looked at first. He does not believe that any member of the
Board would say they are against agriculture - this has been the
hardest budget to work on in the 8 years he has been a
Commissioner. He stressed that the budget has not been passed
yet and that carryover is looked at every day. They have tried
to work with both agencies to keep them informed and realize how
valuable the services are that they provide - none of the
Commissioners enjoy the difficult stance they are having to
take. It is a tough environment. He challenged the Farm Bureau
to legislate to get the Ohio State University to stop taking
such a big cut of the state dollars. There has to be action
taken down there first and foremost.
Mr. Snyder commented that he feels most would support a 1/2
percent sales tax increase. Commissioner Graf said it may come
to that...they have the authority to raise that but it is
subjecy to referendum - it has been 20 years since Fulton County
residents have seen an increase in sales tax. Maybe the time is
here, he doesn't know. He added it takes time to get that
implemented so it would be well down the road before any
benefits would be seen. Commissioner Graf also posed the thought
of passing levys for extension or children services - although
it has been soundly defeated in counties that have tried it.
Jared McClarren said the unfortunate thing is that actions like
this tend to snowball. Nate Andre commented that he is really
glad to have the 3 offices in one place - communication has
improved immensely. He encouraged the Board to remember that
nice facility is appreciated - work with SWCD and Extension to
make it all continue to work.
Commissioner Genter expressed appreciaton as a past president of
Farm Bureau himself, for the interest shown by the Farm Bureau
members present today. Lobbying the state for more dollars
coming back to the county for local programs is something that
should be done. This board of commissioners is not just cutting
the budget and sending them (SWCD & Extension) on their way -
they are working with them and trying to assist in any way they
can. There's only so much revenue out there.
Commissioner Barnaby also expressed appreciation to all who came
today. |
|
10:26:39 AM |
Meeting adjourned |
|
|
10:27:20 AM |
______________________________
Jack Graf
______________________________
Dean Genter
______________________________
Paul Barnaby
ATTEST:
______________________________
Rhonda J. Borton, Clerk
|
|
|
10:28:11 AM |
Signed copies of the minutes, or an audio recording of the
meeting, in its entirety, are available for review in the Office
of the Clerk of the Board, 152 S. Fulton St., Suite 270;
Wauseon, OH 43567-3309 |
|
|
