The League of Women Voters of the Tiffin Area supports adequate, equitable and flexible funding of services provided by county government.

Position:

The League believes that county government should give highest priority to the support and promotion of the following services: Agricultural; Safety-Justice; Health and Human Services. In addition, the League supports a correctional system, which insures a secure, safe, and healthful environment.

Medium priority should be given to Economic Development, Recreational Services, Capital Improvements, and Roads and Bridges. Every effort should be made to prevent duplication of services.

The League supports the funding of services from a variety of sources, as appropriate, such as: special levies; sales tax; bonds; permissive taxes; and user fees. Funding for a correctional system may include application for state monies, which require local matching funds. The 1% "piggy-back" sales tax and/or an additional levy could provide these matching funds. Bonds backed by the revenue from the above taxes could be issued.

The League believes the budgetary process should be adequately publicized and carried out in an efficient and timely manner, with public accessibility to hearings.

Background on position:

The study was begun in 1986, with the initial scope being "review and update of services presently provided by county government; from the update, a determination of essential/non-essential services to be made." Concern over county financing arose as a result of economic cutbacks in county services and the repeated failure to pass a local county sales tax. · Two general meetings were held in 1986-87.

In 1987 the study was amended to delete "determination of essential/non-essential services," with the decision that the study was too complex. Consensus was reached in early 1988 and the League immediately took action by joining a coalition in support of a 1% county sales tax. The tax passed in May 1988.

The League intended to expand the study in 1990-91, with consensus in 1991, consisting of an evaluation of county facilities. This study was not done due to limited woman power.

At the Annual Meeting in 1992, League members voted to add the County Jail position to the County Finances and Services position. The rationale for doing so was the original
County Jail position focused on the construction of a jail. Since Seneca County was by then planning to build a jail, a correctional system should be considered a county service and, therefore, should be adequately funded.

The County Commissioners were guest speakers at a unit meeting in January 1993, and a general meeting in April 1993 featured an update on current county financing.

In the Spring of 1996, an effort by a number of county groups resulted in the establishment of a county park district. League supported this effort and will monitor the development of the Park Commission.

At the 2000 Annual Meeting, members voted to drop the County Jail position.

In May and June 2002, two meetings were held on TANF Reauthorization. The purpose was to educate the public as well as League members regarding welfare reform and where it might go in the future.

2003-2004 Goal: Continue gathering information, including facilities. Consider revision of "Know Your County" publication. Consensus anticipated.