Now that the Scioto County Children Services Board has been stripped of its administrative power, Ohio’s sunshine laws for public meetings are no longer in place for many decisions made within the agency. However, Scioto County Commissioners assured SCDN that doesn’t mean the public will be kept in the dark.
Speaking at a Thursday morning meeting where the commissioners accepted the resignation of board member John Howard, Commissioner Scottie Powell said, “There really isn’t a change. By shifting from a board to JFS structure, we’re changing reporting structure. It takes the board out of management equations.” Powell pointed out this is the structure in most counties in Ohio. “ The reason why you had to have those board meetings is that you had to take votes. Day-to-day operations don’t show up in the board meetings.” He said that any votes on financial decisions for the agency would be held at a public county commissioner’s meeting.
Commissioner Bryan Davis said, “Confidentiality has always been an issue within the board, they’ve always gone into executive session. Children Services acts under multiple regulations of confidentiality.” He said confidentiality rules were often a source of frustration for board members.
Davis said in some matters, like criminal trials, “They weren’t able to understand some of the finer details of what became criminal trial issues until the actual trial.” Davis said the agency would maintain transparency under the new structure. “I don’t think there’s going to be an overall loss of transparency. We can’t share certain things. Basically, because the prosecutor puts a cap on what is said for the protection of the family and all involved. I know it’s a frustrating thing.”
Powell agreed, “There’s going to be transparency. We’re going to be handling the same job the board is handling. We’re the fiscal body. At the minute level, that will be handled by Jason and Tammy and CPS>”
Commissioner Cathy Coleman added, “At the end of the day, the questions are going to come back to the board.”
Commissioners accepted the resignation of board member John Howard and lauded him for his public service to the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the CPS Board.
Commissioner Powell said, “John is a valuable member of the community. We appreciate everything he did there. Thank you, John.”
