License plate fee hike unopposed
No objections raised at first public hearing on proposal
Ham radio operators Doug McClure (center) and Amy Panchumarty accept a proclamation declaring June 19-25 Amateur Radio Week from Medina County Commissioners Pat Geissman (left), Adam Friedrick and Bill Hutson (right). Photos by GLENN WOJCIAK
MEDINA – A proposal to increase the annual license plate fees by $5 for some county residents generated no objections when county commissioners held a public hearing on the proposal June 13.
The public is invited to another public hearing on the proposal scheduled at 7 p.m. June 19 in the commissioners’ meeting room on the second floor of the County Administration Building.
Assistant Highway Engineer Josh Wolf did speak at the public hearing to outline the scope of the proposal which would affect those vehicle owners who reside primarily in townships outside the city limits of Brunswick, Wadsworth and Medina.
If approved by commissioners, the $5 increase in license plate fees would generate about $500,000 a year which Wolf said is sorely needed to keep up with rising road maintenance costs.
Wolf said there are approximately 204,000 vehicles registered in Medina County where the population is estimated at 177,000.
Elder abuse
County officials from the Office for Older Adults, Job and Family Services and commissioners’ office joined in recognizing June 16 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
County commissioners prepared a proclamation to that effect which states, in part: “Abuse of older people is a tragedy inflicted on vulnerable seniors and is an ever-increasing problem . . . that crosses all socio-economic boundaries. Medina County senior citizens are valued members of society and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that they live safely and with dignity.”
Radio week
Commissioners proclaimed June 19-25 Amateur Radio Week and praised the amateur radio operators in Medina County for their volunteer service to assist operations of the Emergency Management Agency and provide communications at road races and other public events.
Litchfield Town Band
County commissioners commended the Litchfield Town Band upon receiving a commemorative marker from the Ohio Historical Society. The commendation notes the band was formed in 1901 and in most years since then has performed regularly in concerts and Memorial Day parades in both Litchfield and neighboring communities. Cynthia Bennett is the current director.
Water rates
Commissioners approved five-cent increases this year and next in the rates paid by customers of the Medina County water system. The rate hikes increase the cost of 1,000 gallons of water to $7.15 July 1 and $7.20 July 1, 2018.
Sanitary Engineer Amy Lyon-Galvin said the increase in water use charges are a result of higher fees charged the county by its wholesale water providers, The Rural Lorain County Water Authority and Avon Lake Regional Water Authority.
The county’s agreement with water customers enables it to pass along increases in water costs directly to the customers. This is the second increase in water costs passed along to customers this year.
Social services
Commissioners approved a series of contracts with social service agencies to provide services to residents of Medina County.
Commissioners agreed to pay about $260,000 to Catholic Charities to provide an intake and referral coordinator to the Medina County Family First Council for the next 12 months.
Commissioners also authorized the Family First Council to act as administrative agent for $395,000 in funding from the Oho Department of Developmental Disabilities to coordinate services for at-risk children.
Commissioners also approved an agreement for the Family First Council to provide early intervention services to children on behalf of the Medina County Board of Development Disabilities. Family First will receive $44,000 for those services.
Personnel expenses
County commissioners authorized the expenses for several county employees to attend a series of out-of-town meetings and training seminars. Among those expenses were $980 for five members of the Veterans Services Commission to attend a three-day convention in Columbus and $510 for three employees in the Sanitary Engineer’s Office to take certification exams in Brookpark.
The public is invited to another public hearing on the proposal scheduled at 7 p.m. June 19 in the commissioners’ meeting room on the second floor of the County Administration Building.
Assistant Highway Engineer Josh Wolf did speak at the public hearing to outline the scope of the proposal which would affect those vehicle owners who reside primarily in townships outside the city limits of Brunswick, Wadsworth and Medina.
If approved by commissioners, the $5 increase in license plate fees would generate about $500,000 a year which Wolf said is sorely needed to keep up with rising road maintenance costs.
Wolf said there are approximately 204,000 vehicles registered in Medina County where the population is estimated at 177,000.
Elder abuse
County officials from the Office for Older Adults, Job and Family Services and commissioners’ office joined in recognizing June 16 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
County commissioners prepared a proclamation to that effect which states, in part: “Abuse of older people is a tragedy inflicted on vulnerable seniors and is an ever-increasing problem . . . that crosses all socio-economic boundaries. Medina County senior citizens are valued members of society and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that they live safely and with dignity.”
Radio week
Commissioners proclaimed June 19-25 Amateur Radio Week and praised the amateur radio operators in Medina County for their volunteer service to assist operations of the Emergency Management Agency and provide communications at road races and other public events.
Litchfield Town Band
County commissioners commended the Litchfield Town Band upon receiving a commemorative marker from the Ohio Historical Society. The commendation notes the band was formed in 1901 and in most years since then has performed regularly in concerts and Memorial Day parades in both Litchfield and neighboring communities. Cynthia Bennett is the current director.
Water rates
Commissioners approved five-cent increases this year and next in the rates paid by customers of the Medina County water system. The rate hikes increase the cost of 1,000 gallons of water to $7.15 July 1 and $7.20 July 1, 2018.
Sanitary Engineer Amy Lyon-Galvin said the increase in water use charges are a result of higher fees charged the county by its wholesale water providers, The Rural Lorain County Water Authority and Avon Lake Regional Water Authority.
The county’s agreement with water customers enables it to pass along increases in water costs directly to the customers. This is the second increase in water costs passed along to customers this year.
Social services
Commissioners approved a series of contracts with social service agencies to provide services to residents of Medina County.
Commissioners agreed to pay about $260,000 to Catholic Charities to provide an intake and referral coordinator to the Medina County Family First Council for the next 12 months.
Commissioners also authorized the Family First Council to act as administrative agent for $395,000 in funding from the Oho Department of Developmental Disabilities to coordinate services for at-risk children.
Commissioners also approved an agreement for the Family First Council to provide early intervention services to children on behalf of the Medina County Board of Development Disabilities. Family First will receive $44,000 for those services.
Personnel expenses
County commissioners authorized the expenses for several county employees to attend a series of out-of-town meetings and training seminars. Among those expenses were $980 for five members of the Veterans Services Commission to attend a three-day convention in Columbus and $510 for three employees in the Sanitary Engineer’s Office to take certification exams in Brookpark.