Two years after a salary increase debacle that infuriated many taxpayers, the Wood County Park District
Board is still taking questions on it.
At Monday’s meeting, audience member Ken Warnke, Bowling Green, said the board should discuss following
the Wood County Commissioners’ lead in awarding raises. He pointed out that the board already followed
some of the county’s actions, by giving employees 1 percent bonuses last month and taking action to
follow what employee health care premium contributions. On Monday, the board also approved raising
mileage reimbursement from 50 cents per mile to 51 cents, following the county.
Warnke said a pledge from the board to mirror county raises in the future could restore public trust. The
issue was brought up at the last meeting, he said, and the board should discuss it.
"I’d like someone to say ‘that’s a bad idea, that’s a good idea,’" Warnke said.
The majority of the board said they preferred to remain independent.
Board president George Thompson said paralleling the commissioners on some issues would probably be a
good path to follow.
"But to lock ourselves in … there’s no sense in even being a park board," he said.
New member Frank McLaughlin, who is director of the Wood County Child Support Enforcement Agency, said
the parks board would be abdicating its role as an independent group if it went along with every county
decision.
Board member Mary Krueger said she would like to research the idea more, especially the commissioners’
history in giving salary increases.
The park board has faced increased scrutiny since it approved raises for 19 employees averaging 32
percent in January 2009. After public outcry, the salary increases were rescinded. Employees won’t
receive any raises this year. The three-member board has since been expanded to five; Thompson is the
only original member.
In other business Monday, board member Robert Callecod asked Parks Director Neil Munger to further
research purchasing two new ranger vehicles.
Munger recommended that the board purchase two Chevrolet Impalas at $19,137 each, instead of two Ford
Escapes at $21,000 apiece. The new vehicles are replacing Dodge Durangos, which have 125,000 miles on
them. One of the Durangos would be kept in service to use if the rangers need a four-wheel drive
vehicle.
"I just think ranger vehicles should be four-wheel drive vehicles," Callecod said, explaining
that every park has off-road areas and there are five months of possible inclement weather in Wood
County.
The park rangers use six vehicles, which include the two Durangos and four Impalas, which are equipped
with "police packages." Rangers drive an estimated 150 miles a day.
Also at the meeting, the board:
¥ Approved buying six Motorola radios and the repeater system and license needed to use them in ranger
vehicles. Munger said the new radios are needed because rangers are having difficulty communicating on
the old system when they’re out of vehicles. The Wood County Sheriff recommended the Motorola radios.
They are being purchased from Bender Communications Inc., Toledo, for $17,882.
¥ Heard $16,000 had been received from the Virginia Mallory estate.
¥ Re-elected Thompson as board chairman. Callecod was selected vice chairman.
¥ Heard Callecod say the board should consider moving is 1:30 p.m. meetings to the late afternoon or
early evening to encourage better attendance. There were two visitors and two reporters at Monday’s
meeting.
¥ Went into executive session to discuss land acquisition. No action was taken.
¥ Said the next meeting is Feb. 14 at 1:30 p.m. at park headquarters.