(By Sheri Trusty, Public Relations/Community Engagement Coordinator)
Seneca County Sheriff Fredrick Stevens traveled to the Ohio Statehouse on May 7 with Seneca County Commissioner Bill Frankart to advocate for county needs. Both the Sheriff and the Commissioner testified before the Senate’s Government Oversight and Reform Committee about House Bill 96, which makes state operating appropriations for fiscal year 2026-2027.
Sheriff Stevens testified in support of two issues. The first, a 1115 Medicaid Waiver, would fund specific, currently-uncovered health care costs for inmates in the Seneca County Jail. The sheriff also advocated for continued and increased funding for jail renovations.
Under current law, certain mental health and substance abuse disorders that are allowable under Medicaid cannot be reimbursed when the person is incarcerated. Therefore, in order for the person to receive the medical care they need, the jail must fund the treatment, which places an immense and unjust strain on the Sheriff’s Office budget.
Sheriff Stevens explained the high cost of inmate medical care and the relief that would come if a provision for the Medicaid Waiver is approved. In 2024, the jail budgeted $75,000 for inmate medical care and spent over $83,000 in addition to hidden costs, such as the $75,000 annually that is paid for weekly physician visits for nonemergency medical needs.
Sheriff Stevens also addressed jail construction and renovation funding. Each year, Gov. Mike DeWine’s office provides about $50 million in competitive grant funding for jail construction and renovation, which is distributed to a handful of jails. The Sheriff suggested a new method of funding distribution that would benefit all counties across the state.
“Instead of dispersing the money as a competitive grant, I would like to suggest that the State simply disperse it equally among all the counties that have sheriff-run jails,” he said. “Although this would not address new construction, it would allow for the bulk of the aging facilities to receive yearly funds that can be earmarked specifically for remodeling and renovation projects. There are far more aging facilities with renovation/remodel needs than new construction needs.”
The Sheriff’s suggestion could save taxpayer money.
“First, on the State’s end, the current method requires state employees to spend time receiving, reviewing, and scoring grant applications. The entire process is costly and could be eliminated by an equal disbursement method,” he said. “Secondly, renovation funds could address urgent jail maintenance needs, avoiding further, costlier problems down the road. And, as buildings are properly maintained, it could possibly prevent the need for new construction in some counties.”
As a 24/7/365 facility, the Seneca County Jail is the biggest drain on the county budget. Hopefully, Sheriff Stevens’ testimony will help bring taxpayer money back from Columbus.
Along with other county issues, Commissioner Frankart also testified in support of the 1115 Medicaid Waiver and continued funding for jail renovations. The Sheriff and the Commissioner
met with Senator Bill Reineke, the President Pro Tempore, while they were at the Statehouse, and they spoke briefly before a group of Tiffin Rotary members that were guests of Sen. Reienke. The Sheriff and Commissioner attended the day’s Senate session, where they were introduced to the senators and the large crowd in attendance.
“I appreciated the opportunity to talk before the Senate’s Government Oversight and Reform Committee about our needs here in Seneca County,” Sheriff Stevens said.
