Wood County is looking to the future with plans to expand its landfill, jail and domestic relations courtrooms.

Commissioners gave their annual State of the County address Wednesday and highlighted the updates in offices, security and infrastructure.

Craig LaHote, who has been a commissioner since 2015, said the county’s finances remain strong thanks to a healthy economy, steady revenue and wise spending.

The budget for 2024 is $52.6 million, up nearly 5% from last year. The largest source of revenue is the county’s sales tax, which brought it $28.9 million last year, up 1% over 2022, he said.

Fortunately, investment income from higher interest rates has more than compensated for the slow growth in sales tax, he said.

The county is experiencing a record low unemployment rate of 2.8% at the end of 2023, LaHote said, and economic development is continuing to grow.

First Solar has expanded two Lake Township facilities and continues construction of a 1.5-million-foot research facility in Perrysburg Township. Rossford received $2 million in federal grants to fix Deimling Road to increase safety and traffic flow, the new UPS facility in North Baltimore is hiring 600 workers, and a data center is building a $750 million facility in Middleton Township, he said.

“These successes would not be possible without the great collaboration we have in Wood County,” he said.

The county focused on projects that impacted a large number of people when it determined how to use $25.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Many of the approved projects are still in progress or will begin this year and include four large-scale water and sewer improvement projects, identification and replacement of lead-treated water service lines, two storm water improvement projects, financial operational assistance at The Cocoon and Habitat for Humanity, building renovation at the Wood County Health Department, and HVAC upgrades at several county-owned buildings.

“This funding is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Wood County,” LaHote said.

The county earmarked $263,000 to renovate Courtroom #2, which is used by Wood County Common Pleas Judge Molly Mack and spent grant funds totaling $81,000 to upgrade security measures in the courthouse.

A study will be conducted to evaluate security and space concerns in the domestic relations court, he said.

The court has two courtrooms which are small.

“Proceedings are not always the (friendliest) and the smaller courtroom poses security concerns for the parties, witnesses and the magistrate,” LaHote said.

He said an architect will evaluate the entire first floor of the courthouse to determine space efficiencies.

LaHote also reminded those in attendance that the March primary election ended in a tie for Wood County recorder after the unofficial vote count.

“The results truly underscore just how much every vote counts,” LaHote said.

Commissioner Ted Bowlus, who has served on the board since 2017, focused on recycling, waste disposal and environmental planning.

The Environmental Protection Agency in 2022 approved a landfill expansion on 7 acres that will extend its life 5-7 years, Bowlus said.

Phase 1, which will cost $2.8 million, will start in the spring, he said. There is enough land to provide landfill services for 100 years.

“Maintaining an effective recycling program is key to ensuring adequate landfill space,” he said.

Wood County collected more than 658 tons of recyclables last year and added a drop-off site in North Baltimore, giving county residents 13 locations to drop off cardboard, plastic, paper and aluminum.

Bowlus thanked residents for their commitment to recycling.

“We continue to ask residents to consider the Bowling Green Recycling Center when the county drop-off locations are full,” he said.

Bowlus also announced that last fall, Wood County Clerk of Courts Doug Cubberley contributed $500,000 into the county’s general fund. It was split 50/50 between the Wood County Park District to use for the purchase of land at the J.C. Reuthinger Memorial Preserve and the county engineer’s office for road projects.

The county has received more than $270,000 from the state as part of the proceeds from the national opioid litigation settlement. Payment will continue for the next 17 years and can be used for programs and services that relate to substance abuse treatment and prevention.

“We are hopeful that this funding will make a meaningful difference in the fight against addiction in our communities,” Bowlus said.

Commissioners approved a reduction in the Wood County Job and Family Services levy, which will save taxpayers $1.4 million this year, he said.

Commissioner Doris Herringshaw gave an update on the county’s roads.

Herringshaw, who has served since 2013, said the county has resurfaced more than 106 miles of roadways and replaced 10 bridges. Ditch maintenance projects were also completed last year with more scheduled for this year.

She also touched on plans to construct a new highway garage and update the county’s comprehensive land use plan.

The land use plan, last updated in 2017, develops a plan for logical and managed growth throughout the county, she said.

Wood Haven Health Care was named the best nursing home in Wood County by the Sentinel-Tribune last year, and the Wood County Museum reopened after being closed for 10 months following a flooding incident.

Herringshaw welcomed Robert Cendol as chief building inspector and lauded the Wood County Auditor’s Office for receiving the Auditor of State Award with Distinction for excellence in financial reporting.

She also announced Spirit of Wood County nominations are due Aug. 15 and volunteers are needed on several county boards. Additional information can be found on the commission’s website.

“Wood County does things different and unique and in a great way,” said Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn.

Not only do commissioners do a great job maintaining its facilities, but since the 1970s have held a monthly county elected officials’ meeting to discuss issues and concerns and provide updates.

“Communications is key … that is a really outstanding thing,” he said.

Wasylyshyn also provided an update on the $28 million jail expansion and renovation.

Wood County has been in the jail business since 1820 and until recently had been double-bunking inmates and putting them on cots.

“It was not safe for the inmates and equally important, it was not safe for the deputies,” he said.

Since 2005, the county has worked on the expansion plans, but by taking our time, “we’re doing it right,” he said.

Wasylyshyn noted the jail has received a 100% inspection by the Bureau of Adult Detention for the entire time he has been sheriff.

The jail has implemented a computer-aided dispatch management system funded by ARPA that will be used by the 53 first responders entities in the county.

“The information sharing is huge,” Wasylyshyn said. “They’re also going to be able to communicate with each other. …”

Dispatches took 46,000 911 calls in 2023, he said.

He repeated the adage, “if you see something, please say something. You all are the eyes and ears. … It’s people like you who see something out the ordinary, something doesn’t look right, please call.

“I’d rather send someone 99 times to something that’s unfounded than the one time someone doesn’t call, and it ends up being a serious concern.”