Commissioners talk volunteering

Volunteering was the hot topic Thursday at the Wyandot County Board of Commissioners’ office.
The commissioners said they have been receiving information about volunteering, specifically following a letter to the editor in Monday’s Daily Chief-Union regarding the Wyandot County Dog Shelter.
“We contacted (County Risk Sharing Authority) and we got a copy of what we have to do in order to have volunteers, not just for any specific place, but for any entity in Wyandot County,” Commissioner Mike Wheeler said.
Of  written information received from CORSA, it states, “If any or all of (the screening) checks are made for one volunteer, they must be made for all volunteers. To single out individuals or specific groups would be to invite a charge of discrimination.” It also states the employer — Wyandot County — would be liable for the actions of its volunteers.
“Volunteering is admirable and productive in many cases, but I think our first priority here is to limit the potential liability of the county,” Wheeler said.
He noted the county sheriff’s office as one entity that already has strict volunteer codes.
“(They have) to jump through numerous hoops (to be volunteers) every year,” Wheeler said.
“Each individual is required to do a minimum of 48 hours (of service) per year to keep their standing,” Wyandot County Probation Manager Jason Barth said. “We have to do whatever the state has us do each year. We’ve done 12 to as much as 24 hours of classes each year for rectification.”
The commissioners also wanted to draw attention to the county’s Ohio State University Extension webpage, which is wyandot.osu.edu.
“Not only for 4-H, but it also has links for other things if you have a specific problem,” Wheeler said. “There are a lot of useful tools there and it gives an on-going update on 4-H and where they’re really at. It also links to economic development, which shows which buildings are vacant, rather than wonder what’s available.”
The commissioners also passed three resolutions on the day.
The first accepts a bid for the Home Sewage Treatment Replacement Program for the health department in the amount not to exceed $2,950 from Soil and Water Environmental Consulting Services, Inc.
Another resolution set the lease agreement from June 1 through May 31, 2014 for the Job and Family Services’ building on East Johnson Street.
The final resolution added a temporary position for an unclassified student worker for Job and Family Services, which shall receive a pay of $9 per hour, with sick leave accumulation and participation in Ohio Public Employee Retirement System included.

By PATRICK MASSARA
Staff writer

Posted by Daily Chief on May 4, 2012. Filed under Local News,Recent Headlines. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry