At the March 15, 2017 meeting of the Clark County Commissioners, the commissioners approved multiple contracts for the Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS). First, they authorized a contract with JOG – Miami Valley for the Yes! For Youth Program for $49,998 to provide payroll services and workers’ compensation coverage for individuals enrolled in work experiences through the OhioMeansJobs Center effective January 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018.

The commissioners also authorized two contract with the Clark County Sherriff’s Department to provide services to DJFS. One contract for $103,915 was approved for the Sheriff’s Department to purchase security services for the DJFS campus from April 1, 2017 through March 21, 2018. The second contract was authorized for the Sheriff’s Department for $245,967.70 to provide DJFS with IV-D Service of process services. This process provides notice of legal action to another party to allow that party to respond to the legal action before the court date. The contract is effective January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017.

In other legal business for DJFS. the commissioners authorized a contract with the Juvenile Division of the Clark County Common Pleas Court for DJFS to provide services to implement and adjudicate child support cases for $246,969.25 effective January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017.

They also authorized a contract with the Domestic Relations Division of the Clark County Common Pleas Court for $171,282.62 for the Magistrate and Staff to administer Child Support Orders, Medical Orders, and Adoption of Administrative findings and other work effective January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017.

For other services provided by DJFS, the commissioners approved and increased the contract with Rocking Horse Community Health Center by $102,968.33 to extend the contract that provides Nurse Care Coordinator services through June 30, 2018.

They also increased the contract by $24,000 with Clark County Literacy Coalition through June 30, 2018 to increase the level of functional literacy and self-sufficiency among the people of Clark County.

For mental health services provided by DJFS, the commissioners authorized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between DJFS and the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Clark, Greene and Madison Counties for $17,455 to provide respite care services for those providing care to individuals suffering from mental health issues effective August 10, 2016 through June 30, 2017.

For Planning and Zoning, the commissioners acknowledged receipt of an Expedited Type 1 Annexation Request for 5.035 acres in Springfield Township by Crystal L. Browns at 1070 West Leffel Lane to be annexed to the City of Springfield.

In other business, the commissioners authorized a reduction in the contract with Bellefeuil, Szur, & Associates of $20,160 to convert Sage Abra records to reflect actual costs of the data conversion. These tools provide information about work force benefits and management to maximize employee investments.

Several members of the public attended the meeting to express their concerns. Claudia Jones and Sheila Drennen spoke to the commissioners in support of the contract with Planned Parenthood to provide education services to provide Teen Pregnancy Education in Clark County. Jones said, “The agency served over 400 teens during the past year. They provided 85% of those teens with education about safe sexual practices and birth control”.

Drennen added, “The teen birth rate in Clark County has dropped from over 5% to 2.7 % largely because of the work of Planned Parenthood and agencies like them.” She added, “Clark County has the 5th highest rate of teen pregnancy in Ohio. The cost for a single parent to raise a child to the age of 18 is approximately $194,000; however, the social cost to taxpayers is much higher.”

In addition, Mike Verbillion brought up his concerns about the proposed changes to the gravel pit at the corner of S Tecumseh and Fairfield Roads. He said, “My family has farmed the area since the 1800s, I am concerned about what a mining project will do to the environmental stability of the area.”

Commissioner Richard Lohnes reassured him that the company has a lot of hoops to get through before the proposed changes become a reality. He also announced that there is a meeting on March 27, 2017 at Greenon School to discuss the issue. He said, “There are several zoning issues and because the gravel pit has not been active for over two years, the company must request a conditional usage for the property that must go through the Rural Zoning Commission. This is not a done deal and the community should plan on attending the meeting on the 27th to express their concerns.”

The next meeting of the Clark County Commissioners is scheduled for March 22, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Conference Room at 50 E Columbia Street.

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