Unemployment continues to fall in Preble

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EATON — Director of Job and Family Services Becky Sorrell provided her monthly update to the Preble County Board of Commissioners during their regular meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

The unemployment rate continues to fall, down now to 6.1 percent in September from 6.5 percent in August, and the Job Center received just eight visitors in September.

“Not a significant difference in cash or food stamp recipients or even applicants for assistance,” Sorrell said. “Fraud collections remain about the same. Childcare remains about the same. Not a whole lot of things have changed with the JFS report.”

For Children’s Services, 21 children remain in permanent custody with JFS, and this year, there have not been any adoptions.

“However, we do have some children who are matched with adoptive parents and we should be getting some adoptions here either this year or early next year based on the court docket,” Sorrell said.

Over 100 children are in temporary custody, and while Sorrell said that is a lot for a county of Preble’s size, it is less than they had in the beginning of this year.

“So, we are moving in the correct direction there,” she added.

JFS hired interns from Wright State through the University Partnership Program, and since they are receiving training while in college, they will be eligible for work immediately.

Sorrell said that they need just one more social worker to be fully staffed.

In other business

The board noted receipt and approved by signing the following agreements: county-owned farmground lease agreement with Jim Mitchell — children’s home ($28,934.44), landfill tract #2 ($50,754), Sink, Inc. — Eaton-Lewisburg Road ($38,720.22), county home ($22,421.64).

During the board’s regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 26, the following financial considerations were approved:

  • Authorized payment to Targeted Community Alternative to Prison ($1,575); Adult Probation Technology Grant ($15,495).
  • Authorized expenditure of $26,745.38 to purchase rebar for various projects for the engineer.
  • Authorized expenditure of $9,026.20 for the purchase and installation of two desk credenza sets for JFS.
  • Authorized expenditure of $11,605 for the emergency purchase of courts’ upgrades to the computer server and case management and network.

The Preble County Board of Commissioners meet every Monday and Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the Preble County Courthouse. These meetings are open to the public.

6.1 percent in Sept, down from 6.5 in Aug.

By Braden Moles

[email protected]

Reach Braden Moles at 937-683-4056 or on Twitter @BradenMoles

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