Latest news with #AshtabulaCountyBoardofCommissioners
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Commissioners approve Geauga County inmate agreement through the end of year
JEFFERSON — After a lengthy discussion on how to fund the program, the Ashtabula County Board of Commissioners approved an agreement with the Geauga County Sheriff to continue housing inmates to reduce the crowing issue at the Ashtabula County Jail through the end of the year. In October 2024, the commissioners approved a short-term project to reduce the overcrowding at the Ashtabula County Jail. It was also designed to reduce the backlog of offenders that have not been able to serve their time for OVI offenses, as well as longer-term sentences. The original funds earmarked for the program are running low, so Ashtabula County Administrator Janet Discher asked the commissioners to decide where the funds should come from for the rest of the year, if the program is to continue. She said the county would need just over $382,000 to continue the program for the rest of the year. The commissioners discussed using optiate settlement dollars for the project, but that money also funds a good portion of the Crime Enforcement Agency of Ashtabula County. Commissioner Casey Kozlowski said he was in favor of continuing the program, at the favorable rate of $75 a day for each inmate housed in the Geauga County Jail. Commissioner Kathryn Whittington said their present batch of opiate funds is in the $509,000 range, and there is another $278,000 to come this year. She said she favored funding the bulk of CEAAC from the opiate funds. Commissioner J.P. Ducro asked county Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Terry Moisio to provide statistics on the present backlog at the Ashtabula County Jail. Moisio said he would do that, and provide month-to-month statistics on inmates at both jails, whose expenses could be considered for opiate dollars so the commissioners have a baseline to make future decisions on the program and how to fund it. The commissioners decided to continue funding the program through the general fund, and review the statistics to determine if any money can be reimbursed to the general fund. Kozlowski said he wanted to make sure people know continuing to send inmates to the Geauga County Jail into next year may be necessary. Whittington said she was not opposed to that, but wanted to make sure the backlog is coming down before signing off on it. Ducro said he believes the commissioners will be dealing with the issue during the budget process next fall. He said there may be a need to reduce expenditures elsewhere in the Ashtabula County Sheriff's Department to keep the budget in line. Discher said she was concerned about the expenditure becoming a permanent line item in the sheriff's budget.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Village seeks more grants for Memorial Field project
JEFFERSON — Village council approved two grant applications that could be used for the construction of the Memorial Field inclusive playground that will also hopefully include other fun options for families. Village officials were able to secure a grant last year from the Ashtabula County Board of DD, and assistance from the Ashtabula County Board of Commissioners, toward the construction of an inclusive playground, that could also include other features, like a pair of trails at the property. The village hopes to find financial support from area businesses, and draw people from throughout northeastern Ohio. Jefferson Village Administrator Steven Murphy said the grants would help pay for a portion of the the cost for a proposed Storybook Trail and a loop walk around the property. Village council also approved an ordinance to start the process to renew a 1.55-mill street lights levy, and a one-mill fire levy. The resolution empowers the Ashtabula County Auditor to certify the tax evaluation and the dollar amount that would be generated by the renewal levies. They would not involve any new tax money. Murphy said he did a comprehensive look at available parking spots in the village. He said there are a total of 576 parking spots, including the county courthouse parking lot. Village officials explained their rationale on the use of a speed bump on South Market Street near the entrance to Giddings Park, after a resident asked for officer patrol instead of the device. Jefferson Mayor Jim Chiacchiero said village police can't be everywhere at the same time, and believe placing the bump in the area where a child was killed was the best option, from a safety standpoint. Jefferson Police Chief Chris Mackensen said the village is looking into a grant to pay for a speed table that would replace the bump. The resident said he would be in favor of that solution. Murphy also credited the street department for saving the village thousands of dollars in outside contract money, as they fixed an East Jefferson Street catch basin.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Commissioners reviewing variety of projects
JEFFERSON — The Ashtabula County Board of Commissioners are reviewing a variety of options including the addition of space for children in an area specifically for crime victims and their families. During a Tuesday morning work session, Ashtabula County Prosecutor April Grabman mentioned the idea to the commissioners while reviewing matching grant funds related to crime victims. 'It is a real need,' Grabman said. The commissioners and Grabman indicated there is a discussion relating to finding new space for the victims of crime office. The commissioners approved a three-year contract with the Ashtabula County Port Authority for the maintenance and operational support for Plant C, through the Ashtabula County Department of Environmental Services. The commissioners fixed fees at $11,361.53 for five property owners interested in receiving water on Pelton Road in Austinburg Township, and approved a $21,472 change order for flooring in county buildings. A bid for a project at the Ashtabula County Fairgrounds was rejected because it was more than 20% above the estimated cost. Commissioner Casey Kozlowski said the project would be changed slightly and sent back out for bid in the near future. The commissioners certified delinquent lodging tax charges to the Ashtabula County Auditor for collection. They also approved a maintenance agreement and established an escrow account of $45,475.50 for the Kister Court subdivision in Saybrook Township. An increase, from $20,000 to $40,000, for a transportation contract with Richmond Transportation for the period of October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025 was approved. The program is coordinated with Ashtabula County Department of Jobs and Family Services, and provides transport to jobs and education. A summer youth employment contract with ACDJFS was approved through A-Tech, with the cost not to exceed $400,000. The commissioners discussed details of replacing the present camera system at the Ashtabula County Jail. Ashtabula County Sheriff William Niemi said the system is not working well and needs to be addressed. Kozlowski asked Niemi to seek a third bid for the project, saying they must move on the project, but wanted to look at a third option.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Board of DD levy to be on the November ballot
JEFFERSON — The Ashtabula County Board of Developmental Disabilities informed the Ashtabula County Board of Commissioners on their intention for two levies set to expire after this year. The administrative team of the ACBDD had a work session with the commissioners, and said they plan to let a .5 mill levy expire, and attempt to pass a 2-mill renewal levy in November. ACBDD Superintendent Toni Scurpa said the board had decided to go for the 2 mill renewal but end the .5 mill levy after conducting a financial assessment. 'The board did pass a motion,' she said of the intent to go in that direction. ACBDD Director of Operations and Human Resources Matt Glidewell said there were some carryovers, and the board decided it was the best way to go for the taxpayers and still maintain services. 'What has changed?' Commissioner J.P. Ducro said. He also wondered why a recent board meeting involved discussion about not having the money to transport students. Manda Jackson, ACBDD director of quality and community outreach, said there are certain transportation expenses the board cannot handle because it is illegal due to the Ohio Revised Code, and others were families made service decisions that provided transportation challenges. The commissioners affirmed the levy decisions, and Commissioner Kathryn Whittington said she would be glad to discuss ways to improve the levy's chance of passing. 'I think the dropping of the half-mill levy is a good marketing decision,' Ducro said. Commissioner Casey Kozlowski said he is in favor of the renewal levy, with the expiration of the half-mill levy. Jackson said the Friends of the Developmentally Disabled have raised money to help pass the levy, since no board funds can be used for levy advertising. 'We have some funds that will allow us to run a substantial campaign,' she said. Jackson said the committee hopes to use social media, yard signs and other advertising options. The administrators provided a three-year priority plan for the commissioners that includes fiscal sustainability, ensuring no wait list for services and building stronger community relationships. Not renewing the half mill levy will leave the 2-mill levy on the books, and two 1.33 continuing levies, passed in 1997 and 2017. The board will begin the process to get on the ballot, and a resolution will eventually be provided by the commissioners, Kozlowski said about the process, which has many moving parts.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Commissioners refine bed tax collection process
JEFFERSON — The Ashtabula County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution that opens up a new way of collecting back bed tax during a Tuesday meeting. The resolution allows the county to collect past-due bed taxes by applying them to real estate taxes for collection. The commissioners have been trying to collect back bed taxes from the Anchor Motel, and this will open up the process for collection possibilities, Commissioner Casey Kozlowski said. Kozlowski said the Ashtabula County Prosecutor's Office has been working on the collection process as well. The Ohio Revised Code was recently tweaked to allow the collection through real estate taxes. During a work session, the commissioners discussed options for helping government entities that have a one-time need to demolish a building on their property. Saybrook Township Trustee Bob Brobst recently described a process that included a $100 fee to the health department and a $110 fee to become a certified contractor to demolish a building on the township's property. Brobst asked the commissioners to consider waiving the $110 fee to register as a contractor for government entities. The commissioners invited Ashtabula County Chief Building Official Tom Congdon and office administrator Cari Ellsworth to discuss the idea. The commissioners affirmed the building department and health department fees, but expressed a willingness to review the contractor fee for governments. The annual certification of contractors was placed in county rules to make sure those doing work in the county were properly certified. The commissioners suggested continuing the process as-is, with insurance provided and other necessary details handled, but allow the fee to be waived for government entities. The commissioners said they would work on the wording of the potential change in rules with the Ashtabula County Prosecutor's Office. The commissioners approved a five-year contract with Pitney Bowes for postage equipment, not to exceed $817.18 per month, to be billed quarterly. The commissioners approved a three-year agreement between Ashtabula County Sheriff William Niemi and the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, retroactively to Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2027.
