By JIM MAURER
STAFF WRITER
Steve Wilson will continue to provide management services for flood-reduction projects in Hancock County, after the county commissioners approved a contract Thursday with his company for a maximum of $40,000 annually.
Wilson has been employed by the county for the past three years in the same position. He deals with the Maumee Watershed Conservation District, which is now in charge of county flood-reduction projects. His previous contract expired Dec. 31.
Contracting with Wilson’s company, Frostbite Falls LLC, will eliminate any employment issues with the county, said Commissioner Brian Robertson. Wilson is the sole principal of the corporation.
A separate contract with Wilson was tabled by the commissioners Thursday. It would have paid him a maximum of $20,000 annually to handle sanitary engineer duties at the Hancock County landfill, a job he has been doing for years. His contract expired Dec. 31.
However, Hancock County Engineer Chris Long said he understood it was his department’s responsibility to handle sanitary engineer services at the landfill.
Cindy Land, assistant Hancock County prosecutor, will research the issue and report to the commissioners. She said the sanitary engineer duties have to be handled by an individual, not the entire engineer’s office.
“I have no problem with Steve Wilson,” Long said. “I just want to explore my options.”
Wilson previously served as Hancock County engineer before retiring from that post.
After the meeting, Long said either he or Doug Cade, assistant county engineer, could handle the landfill duties.
Separately, the commissioners approved a $3,500 payment for a small triangular-shaped parcel just south of the Blanchard River on Cory Street. The vacant land is owned by Gary and Nancy Sites of Bloomdale.
A proposal for renovations to probate/juvenile court by Peterman Associates, a Findlay architect/engineer/surveyor company, is expected next week, Commissioner Mark Gazarek said.
Also, Heather Pendleton, who previously split her hours as operations coordinator for the commissioners and as an attorney handling probate/juvenile court cases for the county prosecutor, is now working full time in the prosecutor’s office because of an increase in cases. No replacement has been named.
The commissioners organized for the new year with Robertson as president and Commissioner Tim Bechtol as vice president.
Separately, the commissioners held an executive session to discuss threatened and potential litigation, and potential real estate acquisition. No action was taken.
Maurer: 419-427-8420
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