Latest news with #CaseyKozlowski
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
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.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fight over bed tax continues
Feb. 12—JEFFERSON — The Ashtabula County Board of Commissioners will vote on a resolution opposing Senate Bill 43 next week. The bill was brought up by Commissioner Casey Kozlowski at a Tuesday work session. Ohio Senate Bill 43 is co-sponsored by Ohio State Senator Sandra O'Brien, who represents Ashtabula County, and would eliminate the 2% bed tax for the Ashtabula County Convention and Facilities Authority. Kozlowski said between $600,000 and $700,000 a year would be lost if the tax was eliminated. "There is a real potential to put these funds to good use," he said. Kozlowski said the money from the tax has a lot of potential to be used for promoting county tourism. The commissioners were not consulted on the bill before it was proposed, Kozlowski said. The other commissioners agreed to consider the resolution. O'Brien said previously the bed tax is without a purpose now the debt on the Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake has been paid off. Kozlowski said the county will seek recoupment from Mark Gutman's estate for the cost of recent animal rescue. Gutman was operating a fur and urine farm on his property. After his death in December, hundreds of animals were found on the property. County, state and national organizations were involved in a rescue operation. The commissioners will meet with the county prosecutor's office on the matter, Kozlowski said. County Administrator Janet Discher said they have not tallied how much reimbursement the county is due yet. The commissioners approved a grant from the Direction Home of Eastern Ohio for the Ashtabula County Job and Family Services. Job and Family Services Transportation Supervisor Julie Carlo spoke to the commissioners about it. The grant will fund 4,182 bus or other transport rides for county residents 60 and older. A statment from Carlo said she requested $37,472, with a 15% local match. "It is essential for us to receive this funding, so we can continue to meet the needs of Ashtabula County residents," the statement said. Ashtabula County Coroner's Office Chief Investigator and Administrator Amber Stewart spoke at the meeting, and said she was interested in a new vehicle for the office. "This is [for] the employee that's driving her personal vehicle," she said. Stewart said she had quotes on some vehicle options.
