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Courthouse plans put on hold |
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Thursday, 26 March 2009 |
By KATIE YANTIS
Staff Writer
ST. MARYS — Two of the three Auglaize County Commissioners say they are doing their best to serve the county.
Commissioners John Bergman and Don Regula addressed a variety of topics Tuesday as they appeared at the Eagles Galen Cisco Room to brief the Kiwanis Club on the state of the county.
“You can be rest assured everyone working for you is doing their best to serve this county,” Regula said.
Regula also mentioned a positive meeting recently held at the Neil Armstrong Airport, with Administrator Sean Stroh reporting business has increased.
Regula said the commissioners will continue to keep a close watch on finances.
“We will continue to be mindful of financial numbers over the next several months,” Regula said. “As we start looking at the 2010 budget we are watching receipts.”
Bergman addressed a list of items at the meeting, including progress being made on a few projects. Bergman started out talking on numbers at the Auglaize County Crisis Center.
“Some of the services obtained, 357 adults received services, 1,091 children received services, 27 of the adults and 38 children used the facilities,” Bergman said.
Bergman gave praise to Auglaize County Dog Warden Russ Bailey.
“He understands the law and is passionate about dogs,” Bergman said. “We have sold 4,115 dog tags which is 500 more than we normally have.”
Bergman also touched upon the financial outlook for the county.
“Back in December, we imposed a 5 percent budget reduction for 2009 and no pay increases were granted for 2009, that is the first time since 1986,” Bergman said.
Bergman and Regula recognized Auglaize County has it’s fair share of residents that have been effected by layoffs, but Bergman said Auglaize County has fared better than many places during the current economic times.
Additional steps have also been taken to reduce costs, including action on 10 buildings maintained by the county.
“Some of the other things we are working on are energy audits, we hope to be able to save costs on that,” Bergman said.
One other step that has been taken was that of the freeze on the progress on the Auglaize County Courthouse renovation project.
“The courthouse renovation project has been put on hold and we did apply for stimulus funding for that project,” Bergman said.
Bergman emphasized a point many others have made recently, of at least applying for funding for a certain project such as the courthouse renovation.
“There are many different categories that a project can fall under,” Bergman said. “If you don’t apply for it you have no chance in getting any of that money.”
Bergman said the airport was also put on the list for stimulus funding for the terminal project.
“The airport authority board is very active, and they prove if Auglaize County says they have a project read, it gets done, that helps,” Bergman said.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 27 March 2009 )
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