Holmes County commissioners assign 2026 roles, approve plans for online property auction

The commissioners went through the annual rite of appointing county employees to various positions, with a lengthy list of appointments for the 2026 calendar year.

Larry Meherg was reappointed to serve as the Holmes County apiary inspector, a job he has done successfully for many years.

“Larry’s done a very good job,” Commissioner Joe Miller said.

Misty Burns, Holmes County director of human resources, was appointed to several positions including County Civil Service representative, County Risk Sharing Authority Voting Designation representative, County Equal Employment officer, County Fair Labor representative, County Loss Control coordinator and the County Health Insurance Portability and Accountability privacy officer, where she will be responsible for the development and implementation of policies and procedures relating to privacy while serving as the contact person for participants with questions, concerns or complaints regarding any failure to comply with HIPAA policies and procedures or HIPAA privacy rules.

Commissioner Dave Hall was appointed to County Risk Sharing Authority Voting Designation representative, OPWC Infrastructure Labor Compliance officer and the alternate official representative for the purpose of voting at the annual meeting of County Commissioners Association of Ohio in 2026.

Commissioner Eric Strouse was tabbed to perform as the official representative for the purpose of voting at the annual meeting of County Commissioners Association of Ohio in 2026.

Arnold Oliver, Holmes County planning commissioner, was appointed to serve as the County Labor Compliance officer and the County Minority and Women Business Enterprise Program representative.

Josh Galbraith, Holmes County engineer assistant, was appointed as the OPWC Infrastructure Labor Compliance officer alternate.

Susan Schie, Holmes County commissioner clerk, was appointed to become the 2026 county prevailing wage officer.

Galbraith, Hall and Commissioner Joe Miller were appointed to serve as members of the Holmes County Airport Terminal & Hangar Project Selection Committee.

The commissioners passed a resolution appointing Schie to serve the lead role on the county’s expressed intent to conduct an internet auction for the sale of unneeded, obsolete or unfit county personal property in the calendar year 2026.

As of 2002, according to House Bill 226 of the 1245th General Assembly, county commissioners have been authorized to dispose of the above-mentioned items.

The list of items available for auction includes vehicles acquired for use of county officers or departments, road machinery, equipment, tools and supplies.

The internet auction will be conducted and sold with items identified “as is,” with Holmes County making no guarantees as to condition. The purchasers will be responsible for removal of all items with payment required within five days of purchase.

The auction must operate for at least 15 days, and the county will use a reputable internet auction service. Any internet auction presented by the county will be published publicly.