Commissioners OK final levy step

SANDUSKY — Erie County commissioners have taken the final step to put the county health department's levy on the November ballot. The commissioners voted 2-1 Friday to move it forward. Steve Shoffner made the motion to approve with Pat Shenigo voting "yes" and Matt Old voting "no." "We had no comments or discussion. The only other thing we did was approve our minutes from the July 2 meeting. (Friday's) meeting lasted about 3 or 4 minutes," Shoffner said. Commissioners discussed the levy at Wednesday's meeting when they conducted another 2-1 vote on the levy with Old again voting "no." Approval of the renewal levy, which would not raise taxes, had been held up so that commissioners could inquire about health department finances, which is in line with the commissioners' Blue Ribbon Commission effort to cut spending and reduce property taxes. The levy brings in about $1.3 million a year. It's one of three local levies that support the health department. In response, the health department board set up a special meeting Thursday to authorize the health commissioner, Pete Schade, to hire the Reminger law firm to pursue legal action, if necessary, to get the levy on the ballot. The board met Thursday night at the health department and approved retaining Reminger, but that won't cost any money unless using the law firm becomes necessary in the future, Schade said. Shoffner attended Thursday's meeting, Schade said. "We had a great dialogue," Schade said. Shoffner also commented. "Their board had a good discussion about what their options would be if we did not agree to place the levy on the ballot," he said. "I told them I had no guarantee about our vote today, but I was fairly sure it would be approved. Shoffner continued: "I also wanted to let their board know that our county commission concerns have zeroed in on property taxes in general throughout the county, and, at this moment in time, their levy is front and center. I also shared my appreciation for their board and for the good work the health department, under their guidance, has been able to accomplish."