Commissioners address TMD closure, data centers

TIFFIN — The Seneca County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday authorized a renewed sewer services agreement with the city of Fostoria and heard updates on a potential local manufacturing closure that could affect all 407 workers at Toledo Molding and Die. The board unanimously approved a five-year agreement with Fostoria for sewer services connected to the New Riegel area, renewing an arrangement that had lapsed years ago and left the county operating without a formal contract. "We had a five-year arrangement through the sewer district of New Riegel that expired a couple years ago," Commissioner Anthony Paradiso said. "We've just been operating day to day with no agreement." Paradiso credited Fostoria Mayor Don Mennel with surfacing the issue and praised the city for holding rates steady under the new agreement. "With no increases, by the way, they kept everything the same," Paradiso said. "That's really important." Toledo Molding and Die First Brands Group, which owns Toledo Molding and Die, announced the planned closure in late February after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2025. A WARN notice filed with the state confirmed the shutdown of the Tiffin facility at 1441 N. Maule Road is slated to begin April 30, affecting all 407 positions. Paradiso said economic development officials and the mayor of Tiffin are working to secure a buyer for the facility while simultaneously preparing workers for potential job loss. "These things are fragile," Paradiso said. "So we met with them, and they met last night. They're meeting today." Commissioner Brent Busdeker said a job fair has been scheduled for April 23 from 3 to 7 p.m. and April 24 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. A resource website, www.tmdjobs.org, has also been launched. Data centers Commissioner Bill Frankart told the board that Seneca County lacks the legal authority to impose a moratorium on data center construction, a question that has arisen as the city of Tiffin considers doing so. Frankart cited a written opinion from County Prosecutor Derek DeVine, who concluded that under the Ohio Revised Code, a county cannot impose such a moratorium, though cities and townships with zoning authority can. "It gets back to your local government," Frankart said. Tiffin City Council gave a second reading April 6 to Resolution 2026-42, which would impose a temporary moratorium on data center development within city limits for up to 12 months. The measure has not yet passed and is expected to come to a vote at the April 21 council meeting. Frankart said House Bill 646, introduced in January by state Reps. Gary Click and Kellie Deeter of Huron County, passed the Ohio House nearly unanimously and is now in the Senate. The bill would establish a study on data center impacts, including water and electricity consumption. EMS staffing The board announced that a new EMS captain has accepted an offer of employment. The county has operated since December with two captains where three are needed, requiring someone to cover a 24-hour shift every third day. The new hire is expected to start within a couple of weeks. Child Abuse Awareness Month The board opened the meeting by proclaiming April 2026 as Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month in Seneca County. Representatives from the Seneca County Department of Jobs and Family Services told commissioners the agency received more than 1,400 calls in 2025, with 388 screened in for investigation or family assessment. Protective Services Administrator Jen Schumacher said 67 children were placed in foster care during the year, with 27 later reunified with their parents. She said 71 additional children avoided foster care placement through kinship arrangements. "Being removed from your home is traumatic," Schumacher said. "Even if you're being abused, neglected, they're still bonded with their parents or caregivers." The board also approved supplemental appropriations totaling roughly $25,000 across four funds, primarily related to equipment purchases for the sheriff's office and commissary vehicle. Commissioners entered executive session for a personnel matter, no action was taken.