So Seneca County will have to make some budget cuts amounting to approximately 5%. The new county budget will target $14.9 million for the general fund revenue in 2009. In 2008, Seneca County had recieved $15.5 million in revenue. According to County Auditor Atkins and out-going County Treasurer Bernard, the county will fall short of the 14.9 million figure, and should only count on $14.5 million.
Surprising? Not hardly.
However Commissioner Nutter reported requests for $2.6 million more than 2009 expected revenue, as stated in the A-T today. While I can see the idea that if you don’t ask for something, you can’t receive it, department heads asking for $2.6 million more was a complete waste of time and manpower in this budget preparation. It ain’t gonna happen, and we all knew it.
However, Commissioner Nutter, instead of erring on the side of caution, persuaded the tax commission to up the ante to $14.9 million, believing tax revenues would exceed expected levels.
You gotta be kidding. Here is a news flash folks – the economy is horrible, and it is going to get worse. People are going to spend less. More businesses will close. More people will lose their homes, and move away. This is not the time to be optimistic concerning tax revenues. This is the time to face facts. County offices will have to make sacrifices, just like the rest of us. Do without. Cut back your hours. And if it is uncomfortable, sorry about your luck. Sound harsh? Absolutely. But don’t expect much sympathy from the voters, because we have not been insulated from the poor economy. We have already lost our jobs, limped by with no health insurance, turned down our thermostats, and given up on a Merry Christmas. Sympathy? Sorry, but I don’t have any of that either.
Filed under: Uncategorized
Scout: Couldn’t have said it better myself !!!!!!!
And another thing: How are falling real estate values going to effect public school funding? They’ll be the next ones crying!
I’ll bet dollars to donuts that the falling real estate values will not be reflected on the county auditor’s property valuations. It’s time for real estate taxes to drop, commensurate with the drop in values of our real estate.
It’s scary the number of properties that just won’t sell. Nobody wants to invest in a different house if they can’t sell the one they already own. I’m no expert on real estate, but there seems to be a glut of new apartment buildings and condominiums in Tiffin, many geared to the retirement crowd. Who’s buying their houses?
Actually this very issue has been in the news. Surely our real estate taxes should reflect a more real-time value.
Not so confused – I had been conjuring up this post yesterday after I heard about the cuts, so I had to laugh when I read your post.
Speak – thank you, thank you!
You can not belive a word the two mouseketeers say ! Thay have something different to say every day the truth is thay have no intention of building a new or renovate the old courthoues unless some one else pays for it thay don’t have the money and neaver intened to all they want is to tear it down
I hate to say this but, I think the county should get a group of local business leaders current and/or retired to go over every departments budget with the department heads. This could probably happen at little or no cost for this service. I don’t trust my tax money with a used car salesman, formerly unemployed what ever he did and a convicted/plea deal convict.
I think there might be some top heavy county departments. I’ve always heard Human Services building was loaded with Chiefs and not enough Indians. In the A-T it sounded like the jail might have overtime issues. (Of course I heard they won’t hire anyone when asked, to help alleviate this overtime)
I think it needs to be handled better than it is.
My .02
There are many county depts that could stand major cuts-starting with Auditor. She has more that 1 fund to operate office and real estate assessment and dog kennel is loaded with revenue. That office and recorder needs to cut staff. Every morning at recorder it is coffee social hour until 10 and the giggling continues all day long-try working in there with a hard search and listen to it all. Commissioners office needs to start cutting in their own dept and set an example. I have always heard Bernard has smallest budget and stays within it. Alt will get a big surprise when he does not get everything he promised to get elected. Cuts need to be made, but within reason. The offices still need money to operate.
A wise man once called this: “REALITY THERAPY!”
Oldtimer, you’re right! Ben uses terms like “out the door” price. I don’t think he understands that construction, be it new or renovation, is not the same as selling a car.
All the while we fuss and fumble, import legal services, and do all our other politicisms the $$$$$ exit our books, the cost of materials rises, and the tax-payers are the big losers. Old Timer is right. We have descended into the abyss, where….. we can’t afford to do anything.
But…. let’s keep current with the PERS payments for the commissioners!
In the final analysis the blame lies with apathetic voters who keep electing crooks like the Illinois governor and local wanna be’s with little experience and limited potential and no vision. The county has become a like a Soviet bureaucracy with no oversight. Cronyism and arrogance have replaced the humble public servants we once knew and respected. As long as Mussolini stuck out his petulant lower lip and pounded his fist, the masses were happy.
In a democracy, we don’t have to put up with this, but the average voter has to care about what’s really going down and vote responsibly.
Rah! Rah! My vote is for ASA SEEWALD! It all makes me wonder where the brains of the Seneca County voters are – come Election Day. We did modest housecleaning recently, but….. there is still a long way to go!
Curley, Larry, and Moe will not be leading us to a better day!
There were plenty of people who re elected Sauber and Nutter-they won big. Obviously, the majority of this county feels they are do a good job. Egbert needed to go and probably so did Bernard because of her age and lack of an updated office, but where are Devine and Alt going to get money for all the changes they want? They both talked the talk, but can either one walk the walk?
Sauber never “won big”. Both times, he lucked out in a 3 way contest.
You know what happens to SNOWMEN. Soon as things heat-up, they melt-away and are not seen again!
It’s time for the county (and that includes us) to prioritize exactly which services are absolutely essential for its citizens and for government to provide. Until we do that, we will have to watch departments and individual kingdoms lobby for their departments and programs with commissioners who are not prone to say no. Also, those mysterious budget allocations and funding approvals and fund shiftings that come up at each session should be made clearer to citizens. Unless you are a CPA who can understand how the county operates?
Beyond law enforcement, the courts, and highway maintenance, why not start with zero based budgeting for every thing else and justify why the funds are necessary?
Tank-
This snowman is going no where……and I never melt under pressure.
Not So Confused Now: I think you are confused about one of the commissioners. None of them have been “convicted” of anything, as far as I know. The most recent one I know of who had trouble had his case place on pretrial diversion, much like a number of other people. There is strict criteria for having your case placed in pretrial diversion, and our commissioner was eligible. When you are in pretrial diversion, you have not been convicted of anything.
I know it sounds like I’m splitting hairs, but it’s the truth.
Snow: You must really be a COLD one! Related to the ICE MAN?
He’s probably a lighted, plastic snowman.
Mr. Seewald is absolutely correct in his assessment of the County budget situation. Here’s a few more thoughts:
1. Pay raises are NOT an option for 2009.
2. In the business world, more often than not, it’s the owner, or person in charge, that takes the first cut when there’s a slump in the economy. So I suggest the elected officials take a 5% cut in pay. Unfortunately the tax payers are the owners and we’re the ones who suffer first.
3. The commissioners are proposing a 5% “one size fits all” budget cut in all departments. As Mr. Seewald points out, they need to prioritize services. Some departments may actually deserve increases due to operating expenses, while others could slash more than 5%.
I forgot to add:
4. Eliminate redundancy.
Government’s duty is to provide roads/highways and public safety, nothing more. The rest is just extra services the public has asked for and come to expect.
Democracy guarantees you get the government you deserve.
Our county has less people than ten years ago but government keeps growing in size.
Sen- This is off of Tiffin Municipal Court website. Here it says “Dft’s Plea: GUILTY” Could be a mistake but I think someone would have fixed it by now. Not sure why this would say Guilty if he was never convicted or made a plea deal of some sort? Shed some light please.
Information on criminal case number CRB 0700920
Click for Docket Entries
Party Involved
Defendants Name:Bridinger, Michael A
A.K.A.:
Address: 914 E Cr 36
City/State/ZIP: Tiffin, Oh 44883
Telephone #: Confidential
Social Security #: Confidential
# of Priors:
Warrant(s): None Date of Birth: 10-25-1948
Race: White\Caucasian
Sex: Male
Eye Color: Blue
Height: 6′1″
Weight: 270 Pounds
Hair Color: Brown
Complainant/Officer
Name: Hartsel
Agency Code: State Of Ohio (Tpd)
Unit Number: D.B.A.: Tpd
Address:
City/State/ZIP:
Violation Information
File Date: 09/11/2007
Ticket Number:
Violation Date: 09/11/2007
Violation Time:
Violation Description: Theft Section #: 2913.02A1
Degree:
Points:
BMV Offense Code:
Waive Amount:
Hearing Information
Hearing Date: 03/07/2008
Hearing Time: 10:30 AM
Hearing Type: PLE
Mandatory?: Undocumented
Time Waived?: Undocumented
Judges Initials: MER Waive Attorney?: Undocumented
Attorney Name: Dean Henry
Attorney Code: HENR
Time Limit Days:
Time Limit Status: D
Time Limit Jail:
Miscellaneous Information
Summons Issue Date: 09/11/2007
Summons Issued How: P
Summons Returned Date: 09/11/2007 Status/Location Date: 09/11/2007
Status Code: Pending
ITN Number:
Disposition Information
Conviction Date: 03/07/2008
Dft’s Plea: Guilty
Dft. Found: Fine Amt.:
Susp.:
Costs Amt.: 230.00
Susp.:
Jail Time:
Susp.:
O.L. Susp. From:
O.L. Susp. To:
Dispo.: CASE PLACED ON DIVERSION
Sen- Here is the Docket entry on criminal case number CRB 0700920
Click for case information
Case Number: CRB 0700920
Defendant(s): Bridinger, Michael A
09/11/2007
o CASE WAS FILED WITH COURT
o CASE SET FOR A ARRAIGNMENT ON 09/19/2007 AT 9:00 AM
09/12/2007
o NOTICE OF COUNSEL AND ENTRY OF APPEARANCE, PLEA OF NOT
o GUILTY, REQUEST FOR BILL OF PARTICULARS, REQUEST FOR NOTICE
o OF INTENT TO USE EVIDENCE, DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL REQUEST FOR
o DISCOVERY AND WAIVER OF TIME FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANT
09/25/2007
o CASE SET FOR A PRETRIAL ON 10/26/2007 AT 1:30 PM
10/11/2007
o ENTRY OF APPEARANCE BY SPECIAL PROSECUTOR ROBERT FEIGHNER,JR
10/26/2007
o COUNSEL HAVING MET BY TELEPHONE
o DISCOVERY BEING INCOMPLETE BETWEEN THE PARTIES. THE PARTIES
o REQUEST THAT THIS MATTER BE CONTINUED FOR A
o SECOND PRETRIAL
10/29/2007
o CASE SET FOR A SECOND PRETRIAL ON 11/06/2007 AT 1:30 PM
11/06/2007
o SECOND PRETRIAL – COUNSEL HAVING MET WITH DEFENDANT PRESENT
o AND THE ISSUES IN THE CASE ARE UNRESOLVED. PARTIES REQUEST
o THIS MATTER BE SET FOR A THIRD PRETRIAL WITH THE JUDGE
11/07/2007
o CASE SET FOR A THIRD PRETRIAL ON 01/15/2008 AT 1:30 PM
01/16/2008
o CASE SET FOR A PLEA ON 03/07/2008 AT 10:30 AM
03/07/2008
o DEFENDANT PLEAD GUILTY, FOUND, FINE, SUSP
o COSTS 230.00, SUSP
o SPECIAL CONDITIONS:
o CASE PLACED ON DIVERSION
03/10/2008
o LOCAL COURT COSTS $45.00
o VICTIMS ASSISTANCE $5.00
o SPECIAL PROJECT FUND $10.00
o DIVERSION PROGRAM FEE $10.00
o PROBATION FUND $120.00
o LOCAL COURT COSTS $40.00
o PAYMENT – RECEIPT NO. 0801472 IN THE AMOUNT OF $ 230.00
Sen-If this isn’t a conviction then I am Confused once again. Someone please help me, give me a few minutes though I’m making a coffee run.
Diversion means if all conditions are met the case goes away as if it never existed. Of note: in most cases Diversion is not an option.
A guilty plea must be accepted by the Court. Under diversion, the plea is not accepted. It is generally a one time only opportunity for a person charged with a smaller offense to meet certain conditions. If the conditions are met, the plea is not accepted and the case goes away, as Anonymous has said. If the conditions are not met, the plea is generally accepted and additional consequences (sentence) are imposed upon the finding of guilt.
This is not unique to this one particular case, and no special favors were done for him. In this case, he was NOT found guilty, so any such allegations are false/incorrect.
I caught Mr Nutter today be driven to his county job in the big fire truck….I would like to schedule a ride one day with the cute guy who was driving!! Isn’t a cab cheaper…ooops, that would come out of his pocket to pay the fare, and this way it cost the city. My mistake!
Joe-So the court docket will show guilty till his “conditions” are met? Or is this an error on the court? I’m not a lawyer so I must ask.
Busted-Please tell us there was a fire or ems call at that building? If not, would that be theft from the city? Maybe if we have a lawyer or two reading they could clarify the law on this issue?
Not
The docket correctly reflect the plea–”guilty”, but until the plea is accepted by the court and sentence pronounced, the defendant has not been “convicted”. For example, I know of a case from years ago where a defendant entered a plea of guilty, but prior to the date for his sentencing he died. The Defendant although he had pled guilty, he was not convicted since he had not been sentenced.
Similarly, diversion means that the accused even though he has pled guilty has not been convicted because he has not been sentenced–he’s doing certain things pursuant to diversion to avoid the conviction.
I know that this sounds hyper technical, but that’s what lawyers do.
Busted – Did you actually see him get out of the truck and walk into the commish office? Were the sirens blaring and lights flashing?
The rest of the firemen were in the truck, so I ASSUMED he was taking care of county business. I do know for a FACT that he was doing county business. I did not see or smell a fire and I am trained for that. I just plain caught him today-I would agree that it could be theft. Being paid city money to conduct county business……..
There was no EMS run either…..sorry I will NOT cover for him.
Ant Eater-
I think you have something of mine…..please take care of it until returned.
Wait a minute, I can explain this. When asked about people using the county parking lots for non-county business, his response was that county employees should park in the lots on the edge of the downtown and walk in.
Busted – Was he wearing a business suit, captain’s attire or fire fighting equipment?
This sort of explains some of that stuff Mr. Love dredged up.
How does Nutter have any time for all the golfing he does?
Anonymous-Thanks for the info.
The city must be better off financially than they say. I need bread do I call 911 for a free pick up and drop off at Kroger?
Mole-Have you looked outside?
Does this mean that, come the next election, we can expect to see the A-Frame Sauber Sign being pulled through the streets of Tiffin behind that Big-Red Truck? [Makes me w-o-n-d-e-r]
He was wearing captain attire. If he thinks people can walk from the lots outside of town, he better look at the girls in HIS office because they all have front row parking with the Big 3 and all of them could definately use the exercise. I think when I go get my dog license next week I will park in his reserved spot and call the big ladder truck for a lift over there. I wonder if the bucket could just launch me right over to the second floor and save all the walking.
##Mole=Now where have you tunneled to. I can not find you but their is evidence all over the yard that you were here.
Thanks Nutter-and when I fall on the ice when I hit the county lot that maintenance (ha ha) is supposed to take care of, I will sue the heck out of you. I have yet to see you walk any where but across a car lot of between the firestation/commissioners office and doing double duty. The Chief should be questioned about some of this-we all have heard what goes on when your crew is on. It is amazing that you are allowed to do county business when other firemen are not and assigned other duties.
Bridinger-would you like to join the Big men of the county calander club? There are still months available. Was that you I saw today snacking with the Recorder’s wife at the famous blood drives the county has now?
Busted – What you witnessed when you saw B.E.N. was a true Festivus Miracle. His appearance at the commish office in the “Big Red Truck” and dressed in captain’s tog’s could have many explanations. Maybe the boys were locked out of the firehouse and stopped to pick up B.E.N.’s extra key, or they were just practicing for the Festivus Day Parade and stopped to pick up Dave and Mike. (You should search Wikipedia for a definition of Festivus Miracles, and see if you don’t agree.)
What’s this calendar we hear about always? Who are these calendar men?
Wondering: As I read in the papers, they are the True Hunks of Seneca County….. well endowed with abundant salaries, style, physique, great gab capacity, hot air/wind, wisdom….. everything the VOTERS could want.
And then, there are the pros — who frequent the stylists for hair care. They dine and sign autographs at the finer eating establishments. They ’smile’ frequently, laugh on-cue, and harbor the casual approach.
One of them basks in the Big Time arena in Columbus periodically. He rides-in periodically on his White Horse to advise on all the GOOD THINGS he has done on our behalf.
You just have to procure a calendar to grab the entire story!
Ken
Thanks for explaining-I get it now! I personally do not want a calendar unless is has the Big women-Bernard, Adkins Ward, etc and the Commish girls….I need it to keep the mice away in the basment.
Is there some rule against being nice? Lumps of coal for y’all.
Joe-I agree, it doesn’t need to get personal about physical appearances or people needing to exercise. All of us have six-packs under our quarts, gallons or in my case keg.
It can’t be easy being B.E.N. One minute he’s sitting in the commish office or standing on a used car lot, then suddenly an emergency arises. He runs to the nearest phone booth (good luck finding one of those) and emerges as “Captain Benny” aka “Superben.”
Hey-I just call an Ace and Ace…and I do not have any excess on me because I take the time to exercise and look decent. I also eat healthy for a reson….Ben suggested we needed to walk from the edge of town….he has alot of room to talk.
There’s also a Dale Williams calendar featuring the many faces of Dale, and each month includes an inspirational message from the “unemployed one.”
Where do we buy these calendars?
I heard over at Paper and Ink-in the back room.
I never have been in the back room. I did not know they had a back room for sales.
hello everyone, long time reader, first time poster on here, so please take it easy on me.
hypothetical question….If someone from a city dept. such as the fireman, police,..ect.. retires due to dissability, is the dissability paid by the city? and would it be illegal to work another job all while drawing dissability pay?
Re Ben
Hey people, you get what you voted for!
I did not vote for B.E.N. or Dave.
ruglover: The disabled worker is paid from whichever pension fund they belonged too. In regards to working another position: This depends on the level of disability they were awarded. If someone is awarded a total disability that severely limits what the disabled worker can do. With partial disability a person has more flexibility in what they can do. I think anyone that is collecting disability walks a fine line of what they can do and cannot do employment wise while collecting disability.
Wondering-
There is a back room at Paper and Ink-I have heard more than I ever wanted to know. And to think I used to go in there with my kids for baseball cards and what went on the other side of the wall. It is not pretty.
We no longer frequent the place, so I will have to buy MY calendar elsewhere.
Finally get it,
Your comment that you posted previously about keeping the mice away was really unnecessary i received a phone call that you were writting smack about those girls , one who happens to be my wife who by no means is ugly or overweight but that is beside the point, these are people with feelings that you are writting about, i really do not think that making comments like that is the purpose of this blog, would you appreciate somone making comments like that about your spouse ? just to give you something to think about for the next time you post something here!!!
Amen to “made my point”!!!
made my point :
I agree with you, spouses and children should be left out of discussions unless someone enjoys swallowing their own teeth…….just my opinion..
Point-
Lighten up! This is the purpose of this blog-to say what is on our minds.
I realize you are new at this since your spouse was recently appointed to the position. Politics is opening the door to comments good and bad and a part of the job. There is always someone watching and waiting to comment. The magnets stirred up alot of people with out lack of county revenue and we will remember that the next time we vote. Elaine is gearing up!
finally –
There’s a fine line between saying what’s on your mind and committing defamation and being downright mean.
This is also an opportune time to remind people to click on the “About/Please Read” tab at the top of the page and to read the rules and take them to heart.
Merry Christmas everyone.