County Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

Good morning. It's Friday, May 8th, uh, 2026. It's 9:30. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Commissioner Moore here. Commissioner Gallagher here. Mr. Rell here. We have a quorum. First up is the proclamation proclaiming May as foster month. and Chris Ross, which is family based care managers here in children services. Morning. Good morning.

Good morning, commissioners. Thanks for the opportunity to be here this morning. Uh my name is Chris Ross. I am one of the family based care managers at Lorraine County Children's Services. Um, on behalf of the agency, I just want to express our sincere gratitude for the ongoing support of the work we do here with children and families of Laurian County and recognizing May as National Foster Care Month. Every day in Ohio, across the country, children enter foster care through no fault of their own. In those moments, foster parents step forward to provide not just a safe place to stay, but stability, compassion, and hope during some of the most difficult times in those children's lives. We are so grateful to have here at our agency 122 foster parents. 58 of those are traditional foster parents and 64 of them are relative licensed foster parents. Um, becoming a foster parent is a meaningful commitment. The licensing process takes several months. It entails an extensive training, background checks, detailed home studies, and much more. These dedicated and highly qualified families play a critical role in providing a safety net to Lorraine County's children. With us today, I have Diane Austin. Diane, you want to wait? um she'll come up here in a little bit, but Diane has been a foster parent with us for 28 years. She's cared for more than 31 children on a temporary basis,

and she has provided respit for many, many more children in her home. Um whatever the need is, Diane has always been willing to step up and accept placement of children. Um and we are so grateful for that. She's been a champion for many of our teenagers. and accepted them as placements. She's also continued to have relationships with those young adults and also have been sort of like a grandparent to their children as they grow up. I personally have worked with Diane for the majority of those 28 years. And I am very appreciative of all the work she's done and the love she's shown for all those kids, the advocacy she does for every single child that comes into her home. So, I do want to personally thank Diane FOR THAT. AND AGAIN, SHE IS just one of our many foster families that we have and that we are appreciative of. Um, as the need in our community continues to grow, um, children's services remains focused on recruiting additional foster families. In 2025, 368 children entered care due to abuse and neglect. Um, many of those were placed outside of our own community. So having foster families here in Lorraine County is important. So when our children have to be separated from their families, they can still remain close to their friends, relatives, schools, and all their cultural connectiveness, too. So I do encourage anyone that has ever thought about being a foster parent or you or have anyone that you know that would like to be a foster parent to have them call us at Lauren County Children's Services. go to our website, check out, get more information about being a foster parent. You don't need to be married, own your own home, or um have all the answers because parenting can be challenging. Um

you just have to have a simple willingness to show up and a commitment and making a difference. Our team here at Lorraine County Children's Services will u make every will hold you hold your hand through that whole process of becoming licensed. will provide guidance, answer questions, offer ongoing support. Um, it truly does take a community to ensure that every child can grow up in a safe, loving environment. We are very grateful for our foster parents, our partners, everyone in the community for your support. Um, so thank you again for this time and thank you again for making May National Foster Care Month. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you FOR YOUR WORK. AND AND I want to give credit where credit is due. This has kind of been a soft spot since I got here. My own uncle Fritz and Aunt Hilda could not have children and they fostered over a hundred kids in Tuscar County in their 50 years of marriage. Fabulous. That is wonderful. And it was it was it was actually great. I considered them my cousins because there were so many of them that we grew up with and stuff. But

that is amazing. It's it's a challenge and uh and I know that a lot of people think that kinship care, you know, should be free or whatever, but the circumstances are that for for many of the families, you know, raising a second family can be challenging, especially when you're in retirement and you're on fixed income and so forth. Correct. Correct. Correct. Yeah. So, they deserve that extra. But it's it's great work that you do and congratulations. 28 years. Keep going. That's right. So, are we able to do a gonna read this? We have a few things you didn't cover, but so highlight it.

Whereas foster care provides critical safety and net for children and youth who have experienced abuse, neglect, and other challenging circumstances, ensuring their protection and well-being. And whereas National Foster Care Month is observed each May to raise awareness about the important role foster families play. Whereas Lorraine County Children's Services works in partnership with foster parents to provide that safety, permanency, and highquality care for the children across Lorraine County in need. And whereas an ongoing need for compassionate and dedicated individuals and families in Lorraine County to open their hearts and homes to children in foster care, helping them maintain essential connections to the community cultures and support systems. And whereas approximately 390,000 children in the United States are in foster care. And where is 162 children currently reside across one 122 foster homes licensed by Lorraine County Children's Services. So therefore, be it resolved that Lraine County Board of Commissioners hereby proclaims May 2026 as National Foster Care Month in Lorraine County, witnessed by our signatures on this 8th day of May 2026.

Thank you. Yeah. Thank you. Do you want to have Diane come up too or? Yeah, absolutely. You want a couple words?

Thank you. Good morning.

Scoot. I don't want to be in the middle.

Sure. Mhm. Under resolutions number one, there were no investments. Number two, appropriations. Move to approve. Second discussion. Commissioner Gallagher.

Hi. Mr. Moore. Hi. Commissioner Mell. Hi. Number three. There were no transfers. Number four advances repayments. Move to approve. Second discussion. Commissioner Gallagher. Hi. Mr. Moore. Hi. Commissioner. Hi. Number five. Requisitions. short list. Move to approve. Second discussion. Mr. Redell. I. Mr. Gallagher. I Commissioner Moore. Hi. Number six, travel. Move to approve. Second. Discussion. Mr. Redell.

Hi. Mr. Gallagher. I. Mr. Moore. Hi. Number seven. Bills. We got two pages today. Mhm. Yep. Yep. Page two, please.

Move to approve. Second discussion. Question. Casey. We normally don't see u that one line 15, the treasure of the state of Ohio. We don't normally see things that big. Is there a reason that that came through this way? Uh yeah. So those are I'm trying to remember that I think those are quarterly payments that that we um that we see. I I I'm trying to call you they they do pop up uh every every once in a while, but they are you're correct. They're not they're not particularly regular. Um but because it's a intergovernmental purchase that's why it's a or intergovernmental expenditure that's why it's a little bit larger and it's that's why it's on the bill recap. Okay. Thank you. Mhm. Anything further?

Mr. Gallagher. Hi. Mr. Redell. Hi. Mr. Moore. Hi. Number eight. No executive session. Correct. Uh C. Public comment on agenda items. Yes. Uh Bobby Taylor. Item number 11. which discusses the subgrade agreement between JFS and El Centro. So, good morning, Bobby. How are you, sir? Good morning.

Good. Good morning, commissioners. My name is Bobby Taylor. I serve as the director of planning and grantsmanship for Lraine County Community Action Agency and I'm here today to speak in strong support of agenda item number 11 which authorizes the support of the sub agreement to El Centro for the 2026 school clothing shoe and jacket program. At Community Action, our mission is rooted in a commitment to service through partnership and collaboration. In fact, uh, when we saw the RFP, instead of us applying ourselves, we looked at the previous recipients and said, who could we partner with to help build capacity? So, we reached out to El Centro, and this is a a joint effort. So, um, what we we're proud to partner with El Centro to ensure that this vital program reaches those who need it most. Uh by serving as an outreach and referral partner, Lraine County Community Action Agency helps to bridge the gap for low-income residents, ensuring equitable access to essential resources that allow children to participate in school with dignity and confidence. Uh the program provides eligible youth with vouchers for necessary school attire, including coats and shoes. Uh and our partnership allows for a hands-on approach. In fact, I will personally be working uh with the the families and shopping with them and helping them with budgeting and sizing. So, on behalf of Lraine County Community Action Agency, I would like to sincerely thank the board of commissioners and the Lorraine County Department of Jobs and Family Services for your investment in our youth. We appreciate your trust in local agencies that are, as Commissioner Redell said last uh last meeting, closer to the situation. So, thank you.

Yep. That's it. Okay. Old business.

I guess we got old business. So, yeah. Now that the uh the election season has passed us for the primary, we the commissioners wanted to raise a couple of issues that but we didn't want to get caught up in the in the uh in the whole election process because it's really not an election issue. But the commissioners wish to provide context and clarity to some claims that have been made repeatedly at our meetings for the last 60 days. We are not going to debate with the speakers or have any other conversation that violates the rules of labor negotiations by directly dealing with members instead of the bargaining representatives. The commissioners did not negotiate for a strike. It doesn't get work done and as we see now, no one wins. As our statemandated duty, we provided a set of issues and a budget to the leadership at JFS, much like we did with the other 11 unions, including children's services, represented by the same UAW union local as the staff at JFS. Rehashing details that got us to this point are not appropriate or productive. Just suffice it to say that the demands at the table were grossly in excess of what we had available funding. A strike vote was called even before we had finished talks and a deadline was set before a final offer could be given. This result, please, we're not going to have cat calls during during the meeting. If you're interrupting the meeting, I will have the deputy excuse you. Contrary to statements was it was an improvement over the initial county position. We did not push for a strike. Providing service to those that need county services is very important to us, but we are not the ones off the job. And satisfactory settlements were reached

with 11 other bargaining units with all of them remaining on the job to serve their constituents. Much rhetoric has been focused on what various staff members were making prior to the strike. This is a focus that no longer has any material meaning as we go forward. Obviously, contract talks were going to result in new wages and new issues of some sort. To follow is a chart that shows the average rate. You'll put that up, please. First one. No, this one. No, no, this one. The one in your right hand.

It shows the rate for every classification and employee in the bargaining unit. It shows what an average employees rate of pay was under the prior agreement and the average for those currently on the job and what those personnel on strike would make if they returned to work. Please note that we recognize some historical wage rates and schedules were dated and needed adjustment. Pay bands were adjusted to establish new higher entrylevel rates bargaining unit classifications. Consequently, anyone making less than the new minimum rate would would have and will have their base rate adjusted upward as a scale adjustment and they will also receive an additional 4 and a.5% general increase. It is false that that new hires will make more than current staff. No new hire will be making more than current staff in their classifications. You will see the columns in the average prior rate for members in a job. New average rate currently in effect from the last best offer currently be paid to anyone on the job. The pension contribution made by the employer on every hour worked is also set in the table. Also in the current package is a 1% bonus for meeting attendance goals as absenteeism issues contribute to problems with workload that we felt necessary to address. Note that no one, contrary to what is being said, is making more on strike pay than working. $500 a week is 1250 an hour for a 40-hour week. 1250 is not a number you will see in the chart. In summary, it is not as simple as just return to the table. We spent eight months at the table. Three meers prior three months prior to the expiration and five months after. We engaged in the factf finding process postf factf

finding discussions and the union set a strike deadline and filed notice of its date to do so before even receiving our final offer for consideration. Negotiations do not go on indefinitely. Impasses do occur and in such cases a last best offer is entirely unremarkable. What is remarkable is that none of the things that recent speakers now claim would lead to resolution were ever formally proposed by the union, but are simply an attempt to rewrite history to appear more reasonable to the public. Contract talks should be focused and deliberate, not an endurance test. Prolonged negotiations lead to inefficiency, and they divert staff and management attention from focusing on the job taxpayers need and expect. At the very start of negotiations, all bargaining units were presented with our position that retroactive pay will not be indiscriminately agreed to. It is a valuable and fair tool to extend a contract for a short period of time that is agreed to by in terms but needs time to settle language issues or time to schedule a vote. We wholeheartedly and ser sincerely hope that employees off the job will return for the rates and the table presented. Those that feel they deserve more can support an evaluation and merit discussion to make that case while earning at least the rates above and restoring their benefits and taking advantage of new attendance-based po bonus programs as well. There is room for future wage adjustments within the classifications for appropriate performance and productivity. And that is that's the end of our comment today.

Okay. Thank you. Oh, um I see also under old business, Mark Adams. I see you're here. Yeah. Would you like to come up and introduce your your replacement, which I don't think you can be replaced, Mark. So, I already told him that. Oh, you did? He can be succeeded. He can't be replaced. Yeah. Well, that's fair. I tried to deny it. Yeah. you.

Uh well, it's Thank you, commissioners, and uh it is a it's a pleasure to be here. I I I'll be also be back in a couple weeks, but Justin Reichar uh is replacing me in about 30 days and uh he hails from Portage County. So, um Justin, if there's anything that like to say, hi.

Hello. Uh Justin Richar. Uh again, like Mark said, uh come from Portage County. um over more than 10 years of experience. Um excited to be here. Um we had a meeting last night and um same thing that you just said. Uh during the interview process, everyone said that Mark would have some pretty big shoes to fill. And during that interview process, I said I wear 15s. So I don't know if he's replaceable or not, but um excited to be here. So thank you. Okay. Welcome. Yeah. Welcome to Orange County. Thank you guys. Appreciate it. Is there anything else under old business? No, that's it.

Okay. Under board business E9, appointing Patricia Eko and Ben Norn in the Sheffield Township Community Reinvestment Area effective May 8th to 26 through December 31st to 29. So moved. Second discussion. Yeah, I'd like to do an amendment. Um, sorry guys, I was a little late on this one, but I do have a a member to appoint also. So, John Vez, he lives in he lives in um Sheffield Township. So, and he has a business there. So, how do we want to do it so that you can type it up proper? I need a motion to amend. Okay. So, I'll make a motion to amend to add in John Vez.

Second. Discussion. I believe this makes the CRA fully fully staffed. Correct. Correct. Correct. Okay. The board will point two more members once the board meets but right. Yes. So we're voting on the amendment. Commissioner Moore. Hi. Commissioner Medell. Hi. Commissioner Gallagher. I. Is there any more discussion on it? Commissioner Redell. I. Mr. Gallagher. I. Mr. Moore. I. Okay. Thank you. Under job and families 10 authorized subgranting room between JFS and family services in El Centro. Lorraine in the amount of 150,000 for summer camp for lowincome Lorraine County children. This is effective June 1st to 26 through September 30th to 26 and will be paid from the TANIF account. So moved.

Second discussion.

Yes. Yes. Much like the stuff we did on Tuesday, again, this is these TANIF grants come for uh for needy families. And uh as you heard today so eloquently said uh jobs and family services distributes that money through local partners who are closer to the scene and serve different widely different constituencies. Those individuals those individual organizations will manage the funds and issue a report back to jobs and family services where it will be audited and reviewed for purposes of making those kind of committee selections next year. So, it's a great process and it really works well to get those get things to those that need them.

And this is a continuation of last week's these were the ones that didn't have the signatures yet or earlier this week, not last week, but Tuesday. Yes. Anything further? Commissioner Gallagher. Hi, Commissioner Moore. Hi, Commissioner Redell. Hi. 11. an authorized subgrant room between JFS and Family Services and El Central Lorraine in the amount of 75,000 to provide a clothing shoe and jacket program for Tannif eligible households Lorraine County. This is effective June 1st to 26 through September 30th to 26 and will be paid out in Tannif account. So moved. Second discussion. Mr. Gallagher I. Mr. Dell. Hi. Mr. Moore.

Hi. Engineer 12, approve an entering subdivider agreement with EWGC Development Group LLC for Emerwood subdivision number four in Columbia Township. Subdivider has submitted proof of ownership, evidence of payment of taxes, certificate of insurance, and engineers estimate construction costs with approved engineering plans and specifications and agrees to bear all costs and expenses on the improvement complainted by the subdivider agreement and to pay all plan review, inspection, and testing fees. Move to approve. Second discussion. Mr. Gallagher I. Mr. Dell. Hi. Commissioner Moore. I

13. Approve and enter subdivider agreement with Sandstone 1 LLC for four seasons at Sandstone subdivision number four Amherst Township. Subdivider has submitted a proof of ownership evidence of payment of taxes, certificate of insurance and engineers estimate and construction costs with improved engineering plans and specification in Greece to pay all costs and expenses of the improvement contemplated by the subdivider agreement and to pay all plan review, inspection and testing fees. Motion to approve. Second discussion. Commissioner Gallagher I. Mr. Dell. Hi. Mr. Moore. Hi.

14. A approve and enter in subdivide agreement with Sandstone 2 LLC for Sandstone Mill subdivision number three Amherst Township. Subdivider has submitted a proof of ownership, evidence of payment in taxes, certificate of insurance and engineers estimate construction costs with approved engineering plans and specifications and agrees to bear all costs and expenses of the improvements contemplated by the subdivider agreement and not to pay and to pay all plan review, inspection and testing fees. Move to approve. Second discussion. Mr. Gallagher. Hi. Mr. Dell. I. Commissioner Moore. Hi. Deputy administrator.

Uh, I have Tuesday, May 19th, there will be no commissioners meeting or storm water meeting. Friday, May 22nd at 9:30 will be a commissioner's meeting. Monday, May 25, May 25th, county offices will be closed in observance of Memorial Day. Tuesday, May 26th at 11:00 a.m. will be investment advisory. and Thursday, May 28th at 8 a.m. visitors bureau meeting. Board correspondence. Move to wave the reading of the board correspondence. Second discussion. Commissioner Dell. Hi. Commissioner Gallagher. Hi. Commissioner Moore. I. Is there any new business? No. Public comment.

Okay. Let's see. Oh, Bobby Taylor, did you want to come up again? You've checked both. Okay. I thought so. That's why I thought you off the top there. Um Sandra Jensen. Hello, Sandra Jensen. 617 Lafayette Boulevard, Sheffield Lake. I'm in my 19th year as a school board member and I've become very accustomed to being approached in public, usually the grocery store, with issues people have with the school district. Um, as a school board member, I try to get to some events that it fit in my schedule. And on on Wednesday, it was uh NHS induction and the um 7 through 12 art show. So, I went to the building and um like I said, I'm used to getting um swarmed at the grocery store, but I was not expecting to be swarmed by school people wanting to know about they all know I'm on strike, wanting to know about the strike and they want to know about those commissioners and I mean they said those commissioners and um so I I gave them an update with what I know and you know they they kind of laughed at you know hearing that Bob the maintenance and Sky was called out to wash the chalk off the sidewalk. Um, so we kind of had some laughs which really wasn't funny, but the conversation got dark and and that's why I was approached by a couple people. I was really approached because um someone in the district who works for the schools and I've known for probably 20 years. they um they need Medicaid for their mom because they she was admitted to a nursing home and and they were told

that, you know, your mom's paperwork is going to be delayed because the JFS is on strike. And so that that was the message. You know, they wanted me to to know that they were discouraged about that. And I just said, you know, you're welcome to come to a meeting, but I know they're busy, so I just thought I'd be the messenger. But um in light of your statement a few minutes ago um as I understand it, we all need to get back to the table one way or another. So um let's be dignified and and all get to the table. You I I think you three should come, but if you send your people, whatever, let's just make an effort, okay? Let's just get this done because um when I hear people say those commissioners, let's just let's let's get professional again. Okay.

Leave a good legacy. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

William Zimmerman. William Zimmerman, Avon Lake. Elected officials should be available to the public to answer questions and concerns whenever we have them. I also believe they need to understand that we put them in office. Tony Silo does not return my calls. I send emails and leave messages repeatedly. He gave me a number when he was seated over there, I guess it was last week or Tuesday, because he was going into executive session. So, I've called. I've done my part. He's in office because the public elected him. He should be responding. This is the same issue I have with the sheriff cuz I call there, I go there, I sit and wait for hours to see him and Tony Nichi comes out and tells me nobody's going to see you, Bill. Why would that be? is an elected official. So, furthermore, the election's not over yet. There's still 14 military votes. There's still 98 provisional votes. All of yet which have to be counted. And since Mr. Redell won by 17, it's well within the possibility that it could sway the other way. So,

I don't understand why Mr. Arm Brewster doesn't show up to the meetings anymore. Never once have you guys given him an excused absence. How many meetings does he have to miss before he can be removed for not showing up and doing his job? I don't understand that. Again, I don't understand. This has gone on for a month. He has a responsibility as an elected. He's appointed by you guys, I guess. I'm sorry. But still, as a representative of the citizens of the county, he has a responsibility to do here and do his job, and we should have the ability to have conversation with them. Okay. Thank you.

Thank you. Thanks,

Tammy McInness. Tammy McGinness, 502 Vermont Road, Yrio, Ohio 44035. First off, when we signed to speak publicly, Jeff, it would have been nice to have your instruction manual for all of us red shirts when we signed it. So, I'm going to continue. Do any of you remember reciting the OC section 3.23? In that was your oath of office. The Ohio Constitution article 2 section 34 welfare of employees laws may be passed fixing and regulating the hours of labor establishing wages providing for the comfort, health, safety and general welfare of the employees. The OC section 33 329.0 02 is the director's role. It states that under the control and direction of the board of the county commissioners, the county JFS director has full charge of that department. I would like to know if your friend Chris Kitt makes $74 an hour, assistant director Matt Kurts who makes $64 an hour or deputy director Dan Pedacord who makes $60 an hour has reached out to this board with regards of the strained burden this board has placed on the essential county services through your unfair labor practices. It is my it is your sworn duty to ensure

the safety of our county by making sure services for our citizens go uninterrupted and are provided in an efficient and effective manner. A little hard to do when the vast majority of your employees have not been at work for almost three months. Wouldn't you agree, Dave? At the very beginning of this, you said we were given a fair deal. Take it or leave it. Well, JFS and the UAW have already adjusted their counter offer by a dollar. And our solidarity and our and the fight for our right shows that we are all willing to do whatever it takes. So, call Clemens and Nelson that you just paid almost $15,000 to. Get your people back to the table or we will keep walking because who are we?

UW. THANKS. THANKS, CANDACE.

Good morning.

Good morning, commissioners. Candace Mintosh 123 Forest Hill in Amherst. 11 weeks into this strike, it has become painfully clear that the real battle being waged by this board is not against a union. It's against the poor and vulnerable in our own community. Though those of us on the picket line, we're surviving. Strike pay is keeping us afloat. some, despite Commissioner Ryell's speech, more than what we earned serving in the agency. But the people who depend on these services, they are not fine. They are the ones paying the price for your inaction. And what's most troubling is how little that seems to move you. Your indifference is not neutral. It has consequences. It leaves families without support, children without stability, and struggling neighbors without the help that they were promised. This is not governments. This is abandonment. There's a philosophy often associated with your politics. Those who cannot keep up deserve to fall behind. When policy becomes a tool to sort the worthy from the unworthy, it stops being leadership and starts becoming cruelty dressed up as principle. And since many who share your political identity also claim a foundation in Christian values, let's speak plainly about those teachings. Let's consider Christ's actual teachings. Feed the hungry. Luke 1:53. Give to those who ask. Mark 5:42. Be generous to the poor. Proverbs 19:17. These are not abstract ideals. They are clear moral directives. Yet those values are nowhere to be found in what we are witnessing from this board. I am not a Christian, but I do believe in accountability to each other, to our

community, and to the consequences of our choices. Every decision you make, every delay you allow ripples outward. And right now, those ripples are causing harm. Maybe you've grown comfortable tuning this out. Maybe you believe that this will pass if you wait long enough. But understand this, the harm does not pause just because you choose not to act. I will not stop speaking on this. I will not stop showing up. I will not stop fighting for my co-workers or for the people in this community who deserve better than silence, neglect, and blatant lies. Return to the table. Do your job.

Thanks, Candace. Thank you, Megan Ashley.

Good morning. Good morning. Good morning. Morning. So, this is the end of week 11. That means we're going into week 12. 11 weeks that our commissioners have failed us. They have failed their workers and they have failed to show us respect. Rather, they have publicly and disrespect or sorry, sorry, I'm a little anxious. That's okay. Start over.

Rather, they have publicly disrespected us by posting lies on the Lraine County government page and even today spreading more misinformation up there. They have red disrespected us by not even trying to come back to the bargaining table. I don't know if it's clicking to all of you or not, but we're not trying to drain your pockets. We're not even trying to drain the county budget. I know you've already drained it. That's not our fault. We're only trying to make $1 more. That would put me personally at $1869. I'm a pay rate of 26, I believe, and that was not on your chart anywhere. So, I don't know if that's even true. I went to Bowling Green State University and graduated with honors being recognized on the deans list all four years. My point being I alongside many of my co-workers are very educated individuals. We have a passion for the work we do. We do not plan on being rich and I'm sure you guys have a passion for what you do too. Please get back to the bargaining table and do your job correctly. Thank you. Shauna Hefield, Shauna.

Hi, good morning, Sean Atfield. Um, I want to say thank you, Marty, for actually paying attention and listening or appearing to. Um, I'd like to just note that regarding agenda 11, which is processed by PRC, PRC is not accepting applications during the strike. If you guys didn't know that, um, if they do open back up to process anything, there's only one person in that unit. The summer camp, there's also no employees in child care to process those applications either. In response to Ryal's claims from earlier in this meeting, I'd like to start by saying Children's Services employees, they already have a much higher base pay than JFS employees do. So, let's get us back to work. Take what you stated earlier back to the bargaining table and make an offer instead of negotiating here with everyone. Let us get back to our job of helping the community again. Thank you.

Thank you, Shauna. Shauna, can you check on that? Can No, I'll I'll just tell Karen to check on that, will you? Okay. What she said? Okay. Thank you. And Otis, love Joy. Otis. How you doing, commissioners? Morning. Good morning.

Just love Joy Lir. Um, commissioners sat here today and listened to what Mr. Idel read. There is words I'd like to use that I can't. Um, I I think that the information you gave us um I think is fraudulent. I don't think it's true. Um I think it's kind of strange that if you're sitting there on this information that proves that you were right and that we were falsifying all this information that we've been putting out to the public that you guys would wait 11 weeks to to introduce that information. You guys have went as far as putting out videos, spending, I'm assuming, taxpayer dollars or your own, however it worked out, but you spent money to make videos to slander us about our requests. So if what we were requesting and if what we're saying about our pay was so wrong, so false, why did you wait 11 weeks to bring that up? that I find that kind of strange to sit on such a strong nugget if you feel felt like it was it was so pure and accurate. But honestly, I don't even care about that. I want to get to work. I want to be able to help people again. I want to be able to better provide for my family. The economy has changed so much. Even since we've been out here on strike, a lot has changed. The dollar does not go as far as it does. So, I'm sorry, but we might be beating a dead horse, but it is still a valid point. The wages that we have are not fair. That's all we're asking is for you to come to the table and to think about what's fair and what's equitable for both us and for your community because every dollar that you give us is going right back into this community. So, it's not just that we're just asking

for money just to be greedy. And the thing is, if it wasn't for the fact that the insurance goes up to the point that every year we're making less than the year before, if it wasn't for that, which I haven't saw any statistics about that. That's true. But if it wasn't for that, a lot of people wouldn't even be complaining about the rate structure that that came out because like you guys say, pattern bargaining. But you know what? When it comes to pattern bargaining, one thing we have learned during this strike is that pattern can be broken because you broke it yourselves when you negotiated with um children's services. So, we thank you for negotiating with them and we ask you to do the same with us. Give us a fair shake. Okay. Thank you. Thanks, Otis.

And thank you. And we are adjourned. Thank you.