By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Wood County’s annual checkup showed a healthy region with more jobs being created, more teamwork being touted, and more tax revenues coming in to support services.
The state of the county address, held this morning in the courthouse atrium, painted a rosy picture of the past year and the one ahead.
“The past year was one of progress and change in Wood County,” said Wood County Commissioner Doris Herringshaw, who presented the program with fellow commissioners Joel Kuhlman and Craig LaHote.
Finances are staying steady. “Throughout the recession, Wood County remained fiscally strong,” Herringshaw said. Increases in revenue from property tax, sales tax and the casino tax are helping to compensate for loss in revenue from Local Government Funds and investment income.
The commissioners recently approved a budget with annual appropriations totaling $40,628,105 – nearly $900,000 more than the previous year’s appropriations.
Those solid finances have allowed the county to pay cash for some capital projects, such as the $2.9 million jail expansion and $1 million updates at Wood Haven Health Care. It has also allowed the county to retain its good bond rating, Herringshaw said.
The commissioners have made wise use of the casino tax revenue, she said, by using it to fund bridge designs. This year, the revenue will pay for seven bridge projects throughout the county.
Kuhlman listed off successes at several businesses in the county, with many new jobs being created. Those included First Solar which is adding 250 jobs, Fed Ex which is adding 262 jobs, Home Depot which is creating 500 jobs, CSX which has added 30 jobs, plus expansions at Schutz Container, O-I, and the building of Costco in Perrysburg.
“Wood County’s economy has continued to improve,” Kuhlman said.
He cited efforts to work with local trade unions and Penta Career Center’s new robotics lab.
Successes were touted at Wood County Child Support Enforcement Agency which was recognized for increased collections, the Auditor’s Office for gaining state recognition, and Job and Family Services whose director Dave Wigent was honored at the state level.
Teamwork was seen with the county dispatching now working with Lake, Walbridge and North Baltimore departments.
Building inspection permits are up, the Portage River project may get underway soon, and renovations at the dog shelter will be completed this year.
The fiscal status of the county is so secure, that Job and Family Services will not need to collect its levy taxes this year, according to LaHote. That will lead to a $3.9 million savings for county taxpayers.
LaHote also said the county is continuing to work with other entities to find a solution to the water issues that plague the region. And the commissioners will continue their town hall meetings throughout the county this year to get input from local residents.
LaHote said Wood County is an excellent place for economic development, for farming, and for good services to citizens.
“We continue to remain steadfast in our optimism,” he said.
LaHote asked county resident to take steps to use reusable grocery bags, which is being promoted by the county solid waste agency, and to shop locally and make use of Wood County’s lower sales tax.
“We live in a great county,” he said. “Keeping it great requires a team effort.”
