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Local News

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Merger discussion continues
Findlay Inn & Conference Center -Downtown Findlay
By LINSEY MAUGHAN

STAFF WRITER

A merger of the Findlay City and Hancock County health departments could provide an immediate savings, the Hancock County District Advisory Council was told Wednesday.

The Board of Health Combination Subcommittee met with members of the District Advisory Council to present new information on the potential merging of the two departments.

The advisory council, which oversees operation of the county health department, rejected a merger request last year, but later agreed to the creation of the subcommittee to study the issue further.

The subcommittee has met a total of 22 times since February to develop a proposal for the combined health department.

Among information presented to the council Wednesday were details on the new health department's potential immediate savings of $48,100, not including operational savings, for 2010, as well as the promise of a more efficient health department that would be able to serve residents better while also providing new services.

But advisory council members had concerns about how the combined health department's health board would be structured, as well as exactly how funding would work between the city and county in a joint health department.

"We're going to work with you in any way possible to make this successful," subcommittee and Findlay City Council member John Urbanski told advisory council members.

Karen Jones, a subcommittee member and registered nurse from the county health board, said a lot of benefits could come from a merger between the health departments.

"I think we all work well together, and that we could work even better," she said.

By the end of the meeting, council representatives agreed that once the new information was shared with all township and village council members, the advisory council should vote on whether to move forward. Its next step would be to agree to create a draft of a contract for the merging of the health departments.

The finalized contract would require the approval of the advisory council as well as the city.

"I think we need to move to the next step," said Gene Barker, a Portage Township Trustee.

Barker said he supports the efforts of the committee to keep moving toward a workable plan for a combined health department.

The advisory council plans to meet in December to consider a draft of a contract for the merger, although an exact date has not been set.

Maughan: 419-427-8417,

Send an e-mail to Linsey Maughan


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News Briefs Work scheduled on Findlay streets
Findlay's Main Street, northbound, will be reduced at times to one lane between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. for waterline connection.

Main Street will not be accessible from East Lincoln Street. Lincoln Street will be closed to through traffic from South Main Street to South Blanchard Street from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for continued improvement work. Access to local businesses and residents only will be maintained.

Recount planned in trustee's race
OTTAWA -- After certifying election results on Wednesday, the Putnam County Board of Elections has announced a recount will be required for the Union Township trustee race, according to Deputy Director Shelly Burkhart.

The recount will be completed on Wednesday at the county elections board office, 336 E. Main Street, Ottawa.

Incumbent Daniel R. Ellerbrock has secured his position on the board, earning 685 votes. However the remaining trustee spot will require a recount as Gery P. Wurth earned 598 votes and Mark J. Kahle collected 601 votes, according to official results.

An automatic recount is necessary if the margin is within one-half of 1 percent of total votes cast, according to state law.

Road to be closed
Forest Lake Drive, between Marion Township 237 and Indian Lake Drive/Forest Lane, will be closed today for a pipe installation.

The road is expected to open by 5 p.m., weather permitting.

Motorists are advised to use Township 242.