News Briefs Week of 8/31/20

State approves funds
State Sen. Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) last week announced the state’s approval of $2 million in Sports Event Grants to Destination Toledo, Inc. in support of the 2021 Solheim Cup.
The Ohio Sports Event Grant program provides funding to a local organizing committee, endorsing municipality, or endorsing county to attract major sporting events to Ohio.
The Solheim Cup is a biennial golf tournament for professional women golf teams representing Europe and the United States.
“Hosting the Solheim Cup in Toledo will boost tourism and business in our region,” said Gavarone.
In addition, the Controlling Board approved the following funding:
• $175 million in additional funding for COVID-19-related expenses for Ohio’s townships, municipalities and counties.
• $31 million for Ohio’s Department of Jobs and Family Services to pay publicly funded childcare centers that are choosing to operate with reduced teacher-to-student ratios or class sizes.
• $89.5 million for the Ohio’s Department of Health to continue expanded testing efforts, $5.3 million approved for local health departments for the same efforts and $2.7 million for wraparound services for migrant and seasonal farmworkers.
• $15.3 million for Educational Service Centers, $1.7 million to Ohio’s County Boards of Developmental Disabilities that serve school-aged children and $500K for the State Schools for the Blind and Deaf.
• $9 million in CARES Act funding to schools, institutions of higher education, and other education-related entities to fund additional hours of childcare needed as a result of the students not physically being at school.
“These funds provide critical resources to our communities for those who are working on the front lines to keep people safe during the pandemic,” said Gavarone.
To date, nearly $2.7 billion in CARES Act funding has been approved by the General Assembly to be distributed to Ohio’s communities as they continue to battle and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. More information about the funds approved this week can be found here.

Gulburger Nite
refunds available
The 2020 Gulburger Nite, planned for Sept. 10 has been canceled.
Ticketholders who have not been contacted by their sellers may call 419-691-1918 to arrange a refund.
“Thank you for your support and, hopefully, we will see you in April,” said Bob Frank.

Wood Co. Veterans
Center position open
Applications are being accepted through 4 p.m. on Sept. 14, for an unclassified, Director/ Veterans Service Officer for the Wood County Veterans Service Commission.
The Veterans Assistance Service center is available to advise and assist more than 15,500 Wood County veterans and their families in obtaining rights and benefits available to them.
To be eligible, an applicant must be a veteran as defined by the Veterans Administration with at least a bachelor’s degree supplemented by a minimum of five years of managerial/budgeting experience. A valid driver’s license is also required.
The salary range for this Fair Labor Standards Act-exempt position is $60,000 to $95,000, dependent on qualifications. Benefits include membership in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) in addition to health, prescription, vision, dental and life insurance.
The complete position description and required employment application are available online at www.co.wood.oh.us, or visit the Wood County Commissioners’ Office, Fifth Floor, County Office Building, One Courthouse Square, Bowling Green, Monday-Friday, from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

New levy, tax
features on
auditor’s website
Wood County Auditor Matthew Oestreich has announced there are two new tools available on the Wood County real estate website: a tax estimator and a levy estimator. The link to the new website is located at https://auditor.co.wood.oh.us/
County residents can use the tax estimator button to calculate potential property taxes. After the taxing district, parcel type, and property value are entered, the calculator provides an estimate based on current year tax rates. This is a helpful tool to anyone building or improving property.
The levy estimator “allows Wood County residents to see the impact of upcoming ballot issues specific to their property,” Oestreich said.
Once all ballot issues are certified by the board of elections, the levies are uploaded to the website. By searching for their specific parcel and then clicking on the levy estimator button, property owners can see specific information for all levies that they will be asked to vote on in an upcoming election. Listed for each levy is the current tax amount, new tax amount if passed, and the difference based on the current year tax value.
There are 31 individual levies on the Nov.3 ballot.

House candidate
plans online town
hall meetings
Nancy Larson, a candidate for the District 47 seat of the Ohio House of Representatives, will hold four online town hall meetings Sept. 6 and 20, and Oct. 4 and 18 from 7-8 p.m.
To register, go to Nancyfor.us and send a message with the date you'd like to attend. Participants will receive a confirmation, and on the day of the town hall, will receive a Zoom hyperlink. Clicking on it will get you into the meeting.
Ms. Larson, an endorsed Democrat, said additional meetings can be scheduled for groups and according to demand. Information: www.nancyfor.us.