Morrow County Commissioners

10/19/2026

On Friday, October 16, 2026, the America 250 Heritage Tree Planting Ceremony took place at the new Morrow County Engineer facility.

America 250-Ohio has been busy planting a white oak tree in all of Ohio’s 88 counties to honor our state’s role in the nation’s founding and to commemorate the history of the location where it’s planted. By planting these trees in meaningful locations, Ohioans are actively preserving their local heritage while contributing to environmental sustainability.

10/09/2026

Morrow County to Plant Heritage Tree as Part of America 250 – Ohio Commemoration

A ceremonial tree planting will take root in Morrow County as part of the Heritage Trees; Planting History program under America 250 – Ohio, the official state commission responsible for spearheading Ohio’s celebrations and commemorations around America’s semiquincentennial in 2026.

In Morrow County, the tree will be planted at the Morrow County Highway Garage, 150 Home Road, Mt. Gilead, on October 16th at 1:00 p.m. The Highway Garage was chosen as the site for the Heritage Tree because we see this as an opportunity to look to the future of Morrow County. We plant this tree as living history, a way to honor Ohio’s past, shape the present, and establish our future.

09/04/2026

The Commissioner’s Office is aware of a music festival being held at the Cardinal Center this Labor Day weekend. Secret Dreams, the music festival, worked with the Cardinal Center directly to plan this event.

To be clear, there is no permitting process at the County level to approve or not approve music festivals. There is a permitting process through each township for various land use activities; however, this event is being held in Peru Township, where zoning has not been established.

Parts of this event do go through a permitting process. The additional campsites required to host this event were reviewed by our local Health District. The food vendors serving food were also permitted and reviewed by the Health District.

For an event of this scale, life safety is also required to be reviewed. Our local EMS, Law Enforcement, Fire, and EMA agencies reviewed safety concerns and, in some cases, are contracted to provide services during the duration of the event.

We understand the biggest concerns are how loud the music is set, how far the sound travels, and how late the music is playing. We are unaware of any local ordinances that can reasonably address those concerns.

07/07/2026

We are excited to support the Fair Board as the county fairgrounds receives a major investment for future generations to come!

As stewards of the Morrow County Fairgrounds, the Senior Fair Board is entrusted with many responsibilities, from creating an enriching fair week experience to maintaining and improving the grounds and facilities, that serve our community year-round. We hope you have had the opportunity to visit the fairgrounds in recent years and see the many improvements that have been made over the last decade to provide a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable environment for visitors of all ages.

Since 1966, our concrete grandstand has stood proudly as a centerpiece of the fairgrounds, allowing thousands of spectators to enjoy a wide variety of entertainment and events. Over time, however, the effects of age and weather have become increasingly evident. The deterioration of the concrete structure, including extensive cracking and surface damage, has accelerated to a point where significant action is necessary.

Following the 2025 Fair, the Senior Fair Board established a Grandstand Committee to thoroughly evaluate the future of the facility. This committee has worked diligently to explore every option available, from extensive repairs to complete replacement. Throughout the process, the committee has worked closely with the Morrow County Commissioners, who serve as the deeded owners of the property on which the grandstand is located.

After careful review of engineering assessments, cost estimates, and long-term facility needs, the committee and Fair Board have concluded that constructing a new grandstand is the best investment for the future of our fairgrounds and our community.

Working in partnership with the Morrow County Commissioners, an application was submitted to the State of Ohio for Capital Budget funding to support this important project. We are pleased to announce that our community was awarded $700,000 toward the project through the State Capital Budget program.

The estimated cost to replace the grandstand and make related improvements to the surrounding area is approximately $1.4 million. Through prudent financial management and responsible stewardship of fair resources, the Senior Fair Board has committed $100,000 toward the project. The remaining funding will be secured through a combination of community support, private donations, sponsorships, and assistance from the Morrow County Commissioners.

For nearly 176 years, the Morrow County Fair has been built and sustained by the dedication, generosity, and pride of our community. Generations of families, businesses, organizations, and volunteers have invested their time, talent, and resources to ensure the success of this cherished tradition. Today, we have an opportunity to continue that legacy.

A new grandstand will not only provide a safer and more modern facility, but it will also increase seating capacity, improve accessibility, enhance the fairgrounds' ability to host quality entertainment, and create new opportunities for community events for decades to come.

As we embark on this exciting project, we invite you to join us in shaping the next chapter of Morrow County Fair history. Together, we can build a facility that will serve future generations and ensure that the magic of the county fair continues to thrive right here at home.

Stay tuned for more information about how individuals, families, and businesses can become part of this historic investment and leave a lasting legacy at the Morrow County Fairgrounds!

05/22/2026

EMS WEEK PROCLAMATION
May 17-23, 2026

Improving Outcomes, Together

To designate the Week of May 17-23, 2026, as Emergency Medical Services Week

WHEREAS, emergency medical services is a vital public service; and

WHEREAS, the members of emergency medical services teams are ready to provide lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and

WHEREAS, access to quality emergency care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury; and

WHEREAS, emergency medical services fills healthcare gaps by providing important, out-of-hospital care, including preventative medicine, follow-up care, and access to telemedicine; and

WHEREAS, the emergency medical services system consists of first responders, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, emergency medical dispatchers, firefighters, police officers, educators, administrators, pre-hospital nurses, emergency nurses, emergency physicians, trained members of the public and other out of hospital medical care providers; and

WHEREAS, the members of emergency medical services teams, whether career or volunteer, engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their lifesaving skills; and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate to recognize the value and the accomplishments of emergency medical services providers by designating Emergency Medical Services Week; now

THEREFORE, the Board of Morrow County Commissioners in recognition of this event do hereby proclaim the week of May 17-23, 2026 as Emergency Medical Services Week The 52nd Anniversary of EMS Week theme is EMS WEEK: Improving Outcomes, Together. We encourage the community to observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities in honor of the EMS profession and the essential service it provides.

Signed this 18th day of May, 2026
The Board of Morrow County Commissioners

05/15/2026

PROCLAMATION
TO RECOGNIZE MAY 10-16, 2026 AS
NATIONAL POLICE WEEK

WHEREAS, National Police Week in America was created to honor the service and sacrifice of those law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty while protecting our communities and safeguarding our democracy; and

WHEREAS, National Police Week, held every year in May, was created in 1962 through a proclamation issued by then-President John F. Kennedy; and

WHEREAS, there are more than 800,000 sworn law enforcement officers serving in communities across the United States, including the dedicated members of the Morrow County Sheriff’s office and Police Departments; and

WHEREAS, since the first recorded death in 1786, there are currently more than 24,500 law enforcement officers in the United States that have made the ultimate sacrifice and been killed in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS, the members of our law enforcement agencies play an essential role in safeguarding the rights and freedoms of the citizens of Morrow County and provide vital public services; and

WHEREAS, these men and women engage with and serve the public in the most varied and wide- ranging manner, and their efforts do not go unnoticed; and

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we the Board of County Commissioners of Morrow County, Ohio do hereby proclaim the week of May 10-16, 2026, as National Police Week in Morrow
County, and encourages all residents to join in the recognition of the services, sacrifices, and efforts the Police Departments and Sheriff Office within Morrow County make to best serve their communities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we the Board of County Commissioners of Morrow County publicly salutes the service of law enforcement officers in our community and in communities across the nation and as we remember the sacrifice of Deputy Daniel “Weston” Sherrer, a Morrow County Sheriff’s Office deputy, who was killed in the line of duty on May 26, 2025, while responding to a domestic violence incident.

Signed this 11th day of May, 2026

The Board of Morrow County Commissioners

05/08/2026

During the morning session of Monday, May 4, 2026, many proclamations were read and presented:

Proclamation in recognition of National Correctional Officers' week May 3 - 9, 2026.

Proclamation for Foster Care Recognition & Recruitment Month.

Proclamation- Public Assistance Fraud Awareness Month in Ohio.

Mental Health Month 2026.

And special recognition to the economic development team during Economic Development Week 2026.

04/15/2026

During the morning session of Wednesday, April 15th, 2026, the Commissioners honored our dog warden, Sarina Atwell, and her team at the Morrow County Dog Shelter with the following proclamation:

PROCLAMATION

NATIONAL ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL APPRECIATION WEEK

April 12 – April 18, 2026

WHEREAS, the National Animal Care and Control Association has designated the second week of April each year as Animal Care and Control Officer Appreciation week; and

WHEREAS, the various federal, state, and local government officials throughout the country take this time to recognize, thank, and commend all animal control officers and animal shelter staff for their dedicated service they provide; and

WHEREAS, Animal Control Officers and Animal Care Staff provide essential community functions including the enforcement of animal control laws, protecting the public from diseases such as rabies, capture roaming and potentially dangerous animals, investigating reports of animal complaints and welfare; and

WHEREAS, Animal Control Officers and Animal Care Staff who answer calls for assistance, educate pet owners about responsible animal care, provide for the proper care of animals in their custody, to protect the welfare of homeless animals from injury, disease, abuse, starvation; and

WHEREAS, Animal Control Officers and Animal Care Staff continually find loving homes for adoptable animals as well as reunite lost pets with their rightful owners whenever possible;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Morrow County Commissioners do hereby proclaim April 12 – April 18, 2026 as National Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week and encourage all citizens to join us in expressing their sincere appreciation for the service and dedication of our Animal Control employees.

BOARD OF MORROW COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

J. Mason, T. Siegfried, and T. Abraham

04/14/2026

During the morning session of Monday, April 13th, 2026, the County Commissioners recognized our dispatchers from the County 911 Dispatch Center with the following proclamation:

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

April 12-18, 2026

WHEREAS, emergencies that require police, fire or emergency medical services can occur at any time; and

WHEREAS, when an emergency occurs the prompt response of police officers, firefighters and paramedics is
critical to the protection of life and preservation of property; and

WHEREAS, the safety of our police officers, firefighters and paramedics is dependent upon the quality and
accuracy of information obtained from citizens who contact the Morrow County emergency dispatch center;

WHEREAS, Public Safety Telecommunicators are the first and most critical contact our citizens have with emergency services; and

WHEREAS, Public Safety Telecommunicators are the single vital link for our police officers, firefighters and paramedics by monitoring their activities by radio, providing them information and ensuring their safety; and

WHEREAS, Public Safety Telecommunicators of Morrow County have contributed substantially to the apprehension of criminals, suppression of fires and treatment of patients; and

WHEREAS, each dispatcher has exhibited compassion, understanding and professionalism during the performance of their job in the past year;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Morrow County Commissioners declare the week of April 12-18, 2026, to
be National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Morrow County, in honor of the men an women whose diligence and professionalism keep our county and citizens safe.

Signed this 13th day of April, 2026

Board of Morrow County Commissioners: J. Mason, T. Siegfried, and T. Abraham