Clark County Commissioners authorized two contracts with Opportunities for Individual Change (OIC) of Clark County at their March 30 meeting. The first contract for $50,000 provides a Re-entry Coordinator to ex-offenders of the Clark County Jail. The second contract for $50,000 provides cognitive behavioral change instruction to inmates of the Clark County jail to reduce the recidivism rate and crime in Clark County. Both contracts are effective July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. These programs provide ex-offenders (those with a criminal background record or history) the chance to create changes in their life that will help them become productive individuals in the workplace and at home.

For the Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS), the commissioners increased the contract with Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth of Ohio, by $390,000. The increase extends the contract through December 31, 2017. The contract provides full services to children and youth in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. The new contract total is $600,000.

The commissioners also accepted a lease agreement with the Clark County DJFS to lease the Lagonda Avenue Office Complex from April 1, 2016 through March 31, 2021. The lease allows for two additional renewals through March 31, 2026 and March 31, 2031 unless either party issues notice. The cost of the lease is equivalent to the deprecation schedule for the facility.

In other business, Sheriff Gene Kelly met with the Clark County Commissioners to discuss the formation of a board to oversee Senate Bill 11. The bill, called the “Jason Gresko Act,” creates the Volunteer Peace Officers’ Dependents Fund to provide death benefits to survivors of volunteer peace officers killed in the line of duty. In addition, disability benefits are provided to disabled volunteer peace officers injured while on the job. The board consists of five members, two of which are selected by the county Commissioners, the volunteer peace officers select two, and the four appointees select the last member. The board’s primary function is to determine eligibility for benefits for wounded or fallen volunteer peace officers. Each qualifying political subdivision that employ volunteer peace officers must pay a $300 - $500 premium depending on the property value of the subdivision. The board must be established by April 22, 2016. Any volunteer peace officer eligible for the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) is not eligible for benefits under the program. In the case of a claim, the program will pay the officer’s family a maximum of $300 for a death while on duty.

The Commissioners received confirmation from Deputy Chief Michael A. Hiler of the Office of Community Development (OCD) of Ohio for Clark County Community Development Office for their performance in the administration and execution of a Community Development Block Grant, which the county used to make Flood and Drainage Improvements in New Carlisle. The Ohio OCD found that the county was in compliance in all areas of the grant including citizen participation, environmental review, fair housing, procurement, labor standards and financial management. The department should be complimented on their achievement.

The next meeting of the Clark County Commissioners is scheduled for April 6, 2016 at 8:30 a.m. in the Clark County Commissioners Conference Room at 50 E. Columbia Street.

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