June 17, 2026

Area 10 WDB Full Board Meeting - Minutes

Jun 17, 2026

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

The Loft at Pickwick Place

Bucyrus, OH

Area 10 Workforce Development Board Meeting Minutes

11:00 AM – Welcome and Lunch

The meeting began with lunch and a welcome to attendees.

Acknowledgment:Thank you to Pickwick Place for hosting the meeting and providing lunch.

11:15 AM – Call to Order and Roll Call of Voting Members

Board Chair Steve Wolford called the meeting to order.

• Roll call was conducted, and a quorum was confirmed.

• Motion to approve April 30, 2026, meeting minutes:

  • 1st: Lori Bedson      2nd: Melinda Crall    Motion carried.

11:20 AM – Membership Updates

Nominations and Motions:

• Adam Weiser, Advanced Fiber Technology (Crawford County)

  • 1st: Melinda Crall       2nd: Aaron Rasmus       Motion carried.

• Chris McKeon, Weiss Industries (Richland County)

  • 1st: Dorey Diab      2nd: Steve Wolford        Motion carried.

All nominations approved during April 30, 2026, and June 17, 2026, full board meetings will be presented to the Board of Governors on June 23, 2026, for final approval and appointment.

11:30 AM – Guest Speaker

Corey M. Spackey, Village Administrator, Village of Crestline, Ohio

Corey shared Crestline's strategic vision focused on population growth, building trust, community revitalization, and collaborative workforce development under the leadership of Mayor Linda Pitt.

11:45 AM – Official Business

State Allocations

The Board received its two-year state allocation budget = $1,226.33.02

Area 10 divides out the allocation over the two-year period for each fiscal year - SFY 2027 = $497,872.02 and SFY 2028 = $728,161.00

Discussion focused on:

• Allocation levels and funding distribution.

• Financial planning is necessary to support workforce programs and administrative duties in Crawford and Richland Counties.

• Transparency of the financial report.

• Questions and discussion regarding budget impacts for program and administrative operations.

Partner Contract Renewals

The Board reviewed partner contracts originally established as two-year agreements with the option to renew them annually for up to two additional one-year terms.

The Board is currently operating within one of those renewal periods and has been asked to approve a 12-month renewal of existing contracts for agencies currently providing workforce services.

Administrative Budget

Historically, the Board approved approximately $200,000 for administrative costs. The proposed administrative budget for Program Year 2027, including salaries, benefits, audit fees, and association membership fees, is $233,564.95.

While this amount exceeds the historical budget allocation, available carryover administrative funds will allow the Board to meet the increased budget requirement this year.

Discussion from the floor included:

  Future consideration of increasing administrative funding levels and exploring alternative funding avenues.

Concerns regarding the long-term sustainability of administrative costs and whether program funds may need to be utilized to offset future budget shortfalls.

Recognition that annual increases in wages, employee benefits, and general operating expenses are expected as the cost of doing business continues to rise.

 Discussion regarding the Board's ability to sustain its current level of service, quality outcomes, and workforce development activities with administrative staffing levels that currently represent approximately 30 hours per week for both the Director and Workforce Development Coordinator positions.

 A recommendation to establish a Finance Committee to monitor federal workforce funding developments, review projected costs, and proactively address potential budget deficits and funding challenges.

Innovation Grant Program

The Executive Board voted to discontinue the Innovation Grant effective June 30, 2026.

This funding will be returned to workforce programming, allowing each OhioMeansJobs and /or Job and Family Services office to determine future support for local job fairs and initiatives.

Program Contracts – Motion for Renewal

• Crawford County JFS Adult & Dislocated Worker Program - $137,034.00

• Crawford Count JFS Youth Program - $98,769.00

Motion: 1^st Steve Wollford, 2^nd Sonja Pluck - motion carried unanimously

• Richland County JFS Adult Program & Dislocated Worker Program - $424,071.00

Motion: 1^st Sam VanCura, 2^nd Shannon Fletcher - motion carried unanimously

• Catalyst - Richland County Youth Program - $325,873.00 (This does not include TNAF funds which are additional funds the JFS Office receives to manage the Youth Program)

Motion: 1^st Sonja Pluck, 2^nd Dorey Diab – motion carried unanimously

·       Crawford Partnership Contract - $69,632.05

Motion: 1^st Steve Wolford, 2^nd Shannon Fletcher - motion carried unanimously

·       Richland Area Chamber of Commerce Contract - $146,592.90

Motion: 1^st Arron Rasmus, 2^nd Sonja Pluck - motion carried unanimously

All contracts are to be taken to the Board of Governors meeting, next week on June 23, 2026, for ratification at the proposal of the Board.

12:00 PM – Agency Report Outs

OhioMeansJobs Centers

• Successful job fairs in both Crawford and Richland Counties connected employers with job seekers and resulted in job offers.

• Upcoming recruitment events include:

  • Sheetz Hiring Event

  • NECIC Hiring Event

  • Regional Manufacturing Coalition (RMC) Manufacturing Day activities in October

Catalyst Life Services

Catalyst reported that education and training performance metrics remain strong, with some of the highest outcomes achieved in recent years.

Fiscal Report

Toby provided a financial update and reported that all available funds for Program Year 2026 are to be fully expended and utilized throughout the Area 10 service region.

Scott Snead, Success Unlimited Program Coordinator

Scott shared an overview of the Success Unlimited Program, which has operated for more than 35 years as a valuable workforce development resource.

Program services include:

• Workforce readiness training

• Educational support

• Employment assistance

• Resource referrals

• Assistance for justice-involved individuals through the One Strike Program

• Emergency, interest-free loans through a resource bank to assist with workforce stability needs such as:

  • Vehicle repairs

  • Household appliances

  • Other emergency expenses

Crystal Dean

Workforce Development Manager, Crawford Partnership

Crystal introduced herself and discussed her role in:

• Employer engagement

• School partnerships

• Community collaboration

• Workforce development initiatives

She expressed her commitment to building upon recent workforce development successes throughout Crawford County.

Board members and partners were encouraged to connect with Crystal and establish collaborative relationships moving forward.

12:15 PM – Other Business and Announcements

Federal update: WIOA looking to change name to ASWAA- A Stronger Workforce for America Act, but nothing concrete – proposed to spend at least 50% of allocated budget on the program/training.

Mid-Ohio Adult Education

Andy, Director of Mid-Ohio Adult Education, announced upcoming opportunities including:

• Foundation for Aspiring Educators Training (Free)

• ASVAB Preparation Training

Additional information and registration details are available through Mid-Ohio Adult Education.

Buckeye Community School

Buckeye Community School is seeking local employers willing to provide job-shadowing opportunities for students interested in exploring career pathways. Contact: Katelyn Pugh, Transition Coordinatorkpugh@buckeyecs.org

12:25 PM – Meeting Wrap-Up

Director, Clint Knight provided final remarks and thanked attendees for their participation.

12:30 PM – Adjournment

Motion to adjourn:

• 1st: Steve Wolford, 2nd: Melinda Crall - Motion carried.

Please note: The business portion of the Area 10 WDB Meeting may be recorded, and AI technology may be used for notetaking and recordkeeping.