At the June 22, 2016 meeting of the Clark County Commissioners, County Administrator Nathan Kennedy announced his resignation to take the position of Snohomis County Finance Director effective September 1, 2016. Kennedy has been with Clark County since November 2000, first as the Manager of Financial and Management Support Systems, a brief stint as the City of Springfield’s Finance Directory, Assistant County Administrator and beginning in January 2011 as the County Administrator. While working for the County, Kennedy was instrumental in improving cash balances, maintaining an AA2 Moody’s bond rating, and establishing budgetary, procurement, capital improvement, and debt management policies and procedures. He has also been instrumental in several capital improvement projects including the Courthouse, A.B. Graham Building and security improvement projects. Kennedy wishes Clark County Administrative Staff and Commissioners the best in meeting the challenges they face.
In a special report, Health District Director Charlie Patterson presented a plan to the Clark County Commissioners to combat the Dengue, Chikungunya and ZIKA Viruses spread by an infected female mosquito of the two Aedes species. He said, “These species prefer biting during the day and lay their eggs in water-filled containers. Because of their breeding patterns, the Health District is asking residents to eliminate standing water in and around their homes. Residents should scrub out items that contain water including birdbaths, buckets, pools and flowerpots once a week. In addition, all water storage containers should be tightly covered when possible. Containers without lids should be covered with wire mesh with openings too small for adult mosquitoes. In addition, cracks and gaps should be repaired in septic tanks and vents should be covered with wire mesh. All screens on windows and doors should be repaired and residents should use air conditioning when possible. To prevent bites, residents should use any of the following products: DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.”
Patterson added, “If a ZIKA infection does occur in the county, the Health District will protect the infected individual from mosquito bites to prevent further infections. In addition, the district is trapping and identifying the types of mosquitoes in the area. The two types of mosquitoes that transmit the disease are not endemic to this area. However, if the mosquitoes are detected the Health District will notify the public and request they wear long sleeves and pants and use insect repellant to eliminate exposure risks.”
In addition, Patterson requested that the commissioners assign a contact for the Health District to ensure that communication between the District and the County is effective. Commissioner John Detrick volunteered to serve as the Health District’s contact.
In other action, Patterson shared the Health District’s Community Health Improvement Plan. He said, “We have established a plan that addresses the health issues in the county and outlines what we are going to do about it. The plan includes SMART objectives and reasonable goals for addressing healthy living, mental health issues, substance abuse, healthy sexuality, and chronic diseases. We plan to concentrate on two major health issues including smoking prevention in teens and fluorination of the water supply.”
In regular business, the commissioners approved the submission of several grants by the Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS). Two grants were approved for submission to the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Grant to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. The first for $91,849 proposes to increase the capacity for Adult Protective Services for Clark County senior adults ages 60 years and older effective October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017. According to Detrick, this is the largest growing population of citizens within the county.
The second VOCA grant for $337, 671 aims to pay staff salaries to provide victim advocacy, on-site mental health services, equipment, supplies, training and education for this same group.
In addition, DJFS requested that the commissioners approve a grant application for $9,000 to the National Children’s Alliance as a sub-award from Ohio National Children’s Advocacy Centers for quality improvement and accreditation effective January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016.
In addition, the commissioners amended the contract with Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio Region for DJFS to modify the outcome and line-item budgets for vendors to operate a program to prevent pregnancy in teens 14 - 18 by providing birth control consultations, free emergency birth control, assistance with Medicaid applications and community outreach effective June 22, 2016 through June 30, 2017.
The commissioners also accepted a lease agreement with TAC Enterprises, Inc for DJFS to provide a vehicle to meet transportation needs of individual with developmental disabilities to enroll in programs and services. The contract for $1.200 per month is effective June 22, 2016 through June 21, 2017.
The commissioners also authorized a grant submission for the Solid Waste District to the Ohio Environmental Education Fund for $4,050 to pay expenses for an environmental education workshop for Clark County teachers. The Solid Waste District and the Clark County Park District between July 1, 2016 and February 10, 2017 would present the workshops.
They also authorized a contract for the Solid Waste District with Veolia Environmental Services for $15,000 per year with four optional annual renewals not to exceed $75,000 to pick up and dispose of household hazardous waste materials effective June 22, 2016.
For the Office of Community Economic Development, the commissioners authorized a contract with the City of London and Madison County to perform Official, Building, and Electrical Inspection Services for commercial and residential businesses in the areas. Clark County will receive 75 percent of the fees charged for these services.
Commissioner Detrick said, “This is an excellent example of government cooperation. We need to complement Tom Hale and his staff for developing this relationship. Kennedy explained, “This is an extension of the services we already provide to London and Madison County. It saves them money and provides income to Clark County.”
For the Clark County Agricultural Society, the commissioners approved a matching grant for $50,000 for capital improvements to the Fairgrounds. The grant will be used to recoat the roofs, and repair the soffits and gutters on the Mercantile, Arts and Craft Building, Annex and Youth Buildings.
For the Emergency Management Director, the commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding with Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Clark & Madison Counties to recruit, interview, enroll, and train volunteers to assist seniors in case of an emergency/
For the Department of Utilities, the commissioners authorized access to Barrett Paving Materials for access on, over and across Clark County Property effective June 22, 2016.
For the Sheriff’s Office, the commissioners approved a grant submission to 2016 COPS Hiring Program sponsored by the United States Department of Justice for $125,000 to hire an Educational Support Officer effective 2016 through 2019.
For the Dog Warden, the commissioners set the bond limit for the Dog Warden and Deputies at $2,000. They authorized these bonds for Sandra Click, Berrigan Sheils, and Donald Roberts.
For Planning and Zoning, the commissioners approved the rezoning request from Ina Sue Benfield to rezone 0.5 acres at 129 W Main Street in Medway from B-2 Community Business to PD-M Planned Development-Mixed Use. The rezoning request aligns the zoning to the existing use of the property.
The next meeting of the Clark County Commissioners is scheduled for June 29, 2016 at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioners Conference Room at 50 E. Columbia Street.
