Notes from Summer Caucus Sessions - Counties

Call to Order/Welcome/Introductions – The County Caucus met on Wednesday, August 1, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. at Penta Career Center (Room 1115), 9301 Buck Road in Perrysburg, Ohio.

Ottawa County Commissioner Mark Stahl, the facilitator of the County Caucus, called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone present.

Caucus members in attendance included:

·         Carol Contrada – Commissioner, Lucas County

·         Mark Coppeler – Commissioner, Ottawa County

·         Keith Earley – County Engineer, Lucas County

·         Doris Herringshaw – Commissioner, Wood County

·         Andrew Kalmar – County Administrator, Wood County

·         Scott Miller – Commissioner, Sandusky County

·         John Musteric – County Engineer, Wood County

·         Kelly O’Boyle – Assistant County Administrator, Wood County

·         Michael Pniewski – Deputy County Engineer, Lucas County

·         Kay Reiter – Commissioner, Sandusky County

·         Mark Stahl – Commissioner, Ottawa County

Non-caucus members in attendance included:

·         Kelsey Krull – Northwest District Director, Office of U.S. Senator Rob Portman

·         Pat McColley – District 2 Deputy Director, Ohio Department of Transportation

·         Mike Sheehy – State Representative, 46 District, Ohio

TMACOG support staff in attendance included:

·         Tim Brown, President

·         Sara Guiher, Water Quality Planner

·         Gilda Mitchell, Director of Membership and Outreach

Topic Discussion – The following topics were discussed by County Caucus members.

·         TMACOG Energy Policy Update – Commissioner Mark Stahl updated the group on the status of the Davis-Besse nuclear plant, stating that de-commission has been announced but the process may take up to 60 years. There is a possibility that U.S Secretary of Energy Rick Perry may mandate that a certain percentage of power is produced using nuclear energy. Tim Brown referenced TMACOG Resolution No. 2017-27, which encouraged a diverse and resilient energy policy, a copy of which was distributed. There has been no response yet from legislators who received the resolution after it was passed in November 2017. Consensus was reached that this topic was of great importance and that there was stagnation among legislators in addressing this issue. The group determined that this importance warranted developing a question to present during the panel with legislators.

·         Michigan/Ohio Need for Road and Bridge Funding: Gas Tax/License Plate Fee – Lucas County Deputy Engineer Mike Pniewski broached the subject of funding for infrastructure maintenance. The $5 fee added to license plate registrations met with little resistance from the public; several members indicated that public forums to solicit feedback on the fee were attended by few. Mr. Pniewski said the funding from this fee, which was projected to be distributed over five years, will likely only last for two years due to rising prices for things such as construction, steel, and other materials. The group agreed that a modified fiscal plan was required to maintain infrastructure in the long-term. There was discussion of potential plans, with the State of Maryland mentioned as an example. Maryland’s plan bases their gas tax yearly increase on a formula that accounts for factors such as rising construction costs, increased fuel efficiency, and advances in electric vehicles. Representative Mike Sheehy noted that a plan with charges aimed at electric vehicles could be interpreted as “an attack on an industry.” This topic was also considered as the basis of a potential question for lawmakers and ultimately selected as a third question if time allowed.

·         Lake Erie Water Quality/Algal Blooms – There was consensus among members that the topic of Lake Erie water quality must be discussed with lawmakers. Lucas County Commissioner Carol Contrada referenced the handout of the letter written by TMACOG’s Water Quality leadership that was sent to Senator Randy Gardner and Representative Steve Arndt in response to HB 643/SB 299. The main points of the letter, a timeline for results/action and accountability, were discussed by the group. Representative Sheehy mentioned the Executive Order signed by Governor Kasich on July 11, 2018 and said that state legislators feel that the Governor acted arbitrarily and that leaders from the House and Senate are beginning work on legislation to meet the targets set for Lake Erie phosphorous loads. Most agreed that the agricultural industry is not going to be able to meet the targets without financial assistance yet stressed the need for time constraints imposed on farmers to meet goals. The group determined that this topic was most important and developed a question regarding Lake Erie water quality to be used in the first round of Q&A with lawmakers.

Questions Generated for State Lawmakers – In order of importance as determined by caucus members.

1.      We acknowledge the importance of HB 643 and SB 299 in providing funding to address algae blooms in the Western Lake Erie Basin. Our question is, what’s next? What are the benchmarks, what is the timeline, and what accountability provisions will be put in place to ensure that the 40% reduction will be met by 2025?

2.      What are you doing to adopt an all-inclusive energy policy that ensures the viability of Ohio’s present and future energy assets?

3.      What is your short- and long-term plan to establish a sustainable fiscal plan for infrastructure maintenance?

Next Steps – There were no requested actions from the caucus.

Adjourn – The Commissioner Stahl adjourned the session.

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