Commissioners OK 2014 appropriations

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

The Van Wert County Board of Commissioners approved permanent appropriations for 2014 and also learned that the county’s decision to break with the Ohio State University Extension economic development program has also been agreed to by OSU Extension.

The commissioners approved appropriations totaling $8,977,294 for Fiscal Year 2014, up from $8,380,324 in 2013. Commissioner Thad Lichtensteiger said much of the increase was allocated to the county’s Building and Grounds Fund to help pay for projected maintenance costs for the Van Wert County Courthouse.

Appropriations have risen each of the last four years, although the 2014 increase is the largest year-to-year hike since 2011.

Appropriations in 2012 totaled $8,221,759, while the county appropriated $8,077,036 in 2011.

A total of $53,000 remains unappropriated at this time, Lichtensteiger said.

The commissioners also received a letter from The Ohio State University Extension in answer to a letter they sent to OSU in late 2013. That letter stated county officials’ opinion that they were not obligated to provide Ohio State with a year’s notice prior to terminating an agreement with OSU Extension, as was included in the original agreement.

While disagreeing with the county’s read on the year’s notice in the agreement, Extension officials decided to waive it. “…in a good faith effort to move forward renewing a strong working relationship with the Van Wert County Board of Commissioners and serve the best interests of the county’s citizens we will accept your desire to discontinue the contract.”

Having the county out of the agreement doesn’t negate it completely, since others are also signees, including the City of Van Wert, which provides the largest share of local economic development funding through its hotel-motel tax.

In addition to Thursday’s action, the commissioners toured Ridgeview Behavioral Hospital on Tuesday, at the request of officials there. Lichtensteiger said it appeared as if the facility was doing well, with nearly 150 people employed – a number that could double in the near future, according to Ridgeview officials.

Also this week, the commissioners extended a MAXIMUS contract for the Van Wert County Department of Job and Family Services and also approved a request by County Clerk of Courts Cindy Mollenkopf to use the Ohio Attorney General’s Office as a resource in collecting unpaid fines and other court costs.