County to place 2-mill levy on ballot
From Staff Reports
Last week, the county commissioners took a first step to place a countywide tax levy on the November ballot.
Commissioners Tony Zartman, Tony Burkley and Edward Straley passed a resolution declaring it is necessary to place an additional 2.0 mills for current expenses of Paulding County to be placed on the ballot at the Nov. 2 election for a period of five years, 2010-2014. They requested that the county auditor issue a Certificate of Estimated Property Tax Revenue to certify the total current tax valuation and the dollar amount of revenue that would be generated by 2.0 mills.
The Certification of Estimated Property Tax Revenue must be filed with the election board with any resolution or ordinance directing the board to submit a tax issue to the electors.
On Monday, the commissioners approved a resolution to place the levy on the ballot. The election board had not yet received the documentation on Tuesday; the filing deadline is 4 p.m. Aug. 4.
The commissioners met with Joe Burgei and Marc Wright, from Aflac, who presented the group master application for signature. County employees have the option of participating in a group critical illness (with cancer) policy and a group accident (non-occupational) policy. Employees who work at least 16 hours a week are eligible to participate. Open enrollment is the month of July with coverage to begin Sept. 1.
Engineer Travis McGarvey and Tim Franklin from ditch maintenance met briefly with the commissioners to discuss the road agreement with the wind energy companies and how it may affect ditch maintenance.
Clerk of Courts Ann Pease announced the title office will be getting new computer equipment provided by the state.
Otto Gerdeman from GNG Development Services and Stan Harmon from the election board updated the commissioners on the status of the remodeling project at the elections board. They reported the contractor has discovered damage to floor joists. Gerdeman presented the contractor’s recommendation.
Auditor Susan Simpson reported a Current Agricultural Use Value (CAUV) meeting will be held on Aug. 23. She also reported having received several questions regarding the taxing of the wind energy farms. She also discussed bond counsel and financial statements.
Ken Maag of Poggemeyer Design Group, Bob Giamo from Mannik & Smith, Prosecutor Joe Burkard, and Auglaize River sewer project manager Mike Winans reviewed the progress of the project sewer. Maag reported things are moving along well, for the most part. Giamo stated they are well on their way to obtaining the easements. Maag said the project must be advertised for three consecutive weeks, according to Ohio Revised Code.
Maag also reported on the lagoon progress, which he believes could be completed by late November, depending on the weather.
CORSA agent Don Foltz and Commissioners Zartman and Straley worked on the loss control coordinator requirements in an effort to lower the premiums for the county’s liability insurance.
To track expenses for book repair and restoration in the recorder’s office, the commissioners directed the county auditor to create a following line item in the Ohio Housing Trust Fund (Fund 153) and amended the Annual Appropriation to appropriate unappropriated funds in Fund 153-001-00002 Other Expenses, $7,000.
In other business, the commissioners:
• entered into a Workers’ Compensation Group Rating Plan Agreement with CCOA Service Corporation as of July 19 for the purpose of achieving lower workers’ compensation rates resulting in the establishment of safer working conditions and environments.
• authorized a supplemental appropriation from Pay-In #87139 to 128-001-00008/Defiance/Paulding Counties’ Joint Auglaize Sewer Project/OWDA/Expense, $9,545.75.
• modified the Annual Appropriation to transfer funds from 001-030-00001/General Fund/Insurance/Loss Control/CORSA to 001-006-00001/General Fund/Bureau of Inspection/State Audit, $8,500.