County approves contentious land vacation

TIFFIN — The Seneca County Board of Commissioners heard from residents on both sides of the aisle with concerns about a land vacation the board was considering during its regular meeting Thursday. County engineer Mark Zimmerman spoke about a current petition to vacate a roadway near 340 E. CR 16 in Tiffin. "Most roads were created in the mid to late 1800s," Zimmerman explained, later clarifying that though property lines end in the middle of the road, the county has a right-of-way, which means it has the jurisdiction to put a road on top of that property. Vacation of the land by the county means that it is relenting ownership of that land back to the land owners. He also explained that there has been some recent confusion about who owned the property in question, but said the land is owned by the county and is untaxed. If accepted, the land would no longer be a public right-of-way and would give rights back to the private landowners. Zimmerman said the vacation hearing was part of not only a legal necessity but also the obligation for the commissioners to hear the opinions of the public and make the best decision on how to steward the county to the best of their abilities. Resident and President of the Board of Directors of the Lake Mohawk Country Club, Joseph Wise, informed the board of the club's recent vote to build a path from Raccoon Trail through private land to Lake Mohawk to allow residents in the neighborhood to walk to the lake and stay off of the busy CR 16. Wise informed the board that in 2022, the board of directors had the land surveyed and has been working to clear that path. Wise later requested the county not vacate the property so members of the country club could continue to enjoy the full property. It was later discovered that the board of directors didn't realize the county owned the property they were trying to build the path on. Landowner, Susan Jones said the board of directors of the country club was trying to build a private path on a public road. "In two years, there has been no mention of a walkway in the board minutes," Jones said. She later said after conversations with the affected landowners, no one is in favor of the installation of the path. She also noted nothing was brought to a membership vote. Landowner and resident, Jessica Wirth, said she seconded what Jones said and advised that she has not seen any plans for the walkway. "I find it interesting that I was completely unaware of this and it affects all of us," Wirth said, also saying that she has been in conversation with neighbors who agree. Secretary and Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Lake Mohawk Country Club, Rebecca Wise said she was most interested in the financial aspect of the proposition and said the commissioners not vacating the property would financially benefit the club. Several other residents and members of the country club said they were also all in favor of commissioners not vacating the property and the pathway. The commissioners later voted to vacate the land. On another matter, the commissioners also hosted a public hearing on behalf of the Seneca County Dog Warden that would increase surrender, boarding and vet fees for dog owners using the services of the Dog Warden. Dog Warden Kelly Marker says she wanted the change made especially after having to take on a vet bill of over $3,000 after a dog was hit by a car and abandoned by the owner. Commissioner Tyler Shuff commented that he had previously seen the current fees compared to the fees of other dog wardens in the state and agreed Seneca County was on the low end of what it could be charging. Marker reported she had consulted other wardens in "basically the whole state" to see what other counties were charging. The board also later approved the fee increase. On another matter, the board approved a budget adjustment of $54,995.51 from contract services to salaries of the Child Support Enforcement Fund. In other news, the board later approved the following supplemental appropriations: $14,609.38 from the General Fund for group insurance. $5,057.00 from the General Fund for inmate psychotropic medication $2,440.00 from the Sheriff Commissary Fund for supplies. $551.43 from the FFY25 STEP Fund for salaries. $2,256.07 from the Juvenile and Probate Court Technology Grant Fund for supplies. $309,825.00 from the county Capital Projects Fund for the new addition to the jail. $198,500.00 from the county Capital Projects Fund for the Ag Center. The board also approved the following supplemental appropriation reversals: $47,601.55 from the TCAP Grant Fund for contract services. $1,000 from the TCAP Grant Fund for travel and expenses. $459.45 from the TCAP Grant Fund for other expenses. $147,7644.59 from the Probation Funding Grant Fund for contract services. $1,250.00 from the Probation Funding Grant Fund for contract repairs. $250.00 from the Probation Funding Grant Fund for software. $125.00 from the Probation Funding Grant Fund for travel and expenses. $229.01 from the Probation Funding Grant Fund for other expenses. The board also approved the following resolutions: Amending a resolution for appropriations for the non-General Fund for 2025. Establishing the Employee Liability Fund on behalf of the Seneca County Commissioners. Accepting the bid and entering into a lease with Gerald Smith and Dylan Smith of GD Century Farms for leasing the county home farm on a cash rent-by-acre basis. The next meeting is 10 a.m. Dec. 19 at 111 Madison St., Tiffin.