MANSFIELD — Ellen Heinz described Richland County’s 2024 “State of the County” video as Oscar worthy.
Heinz, president & CEO of Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development, was among several local leaders in attendance Tuesday morning for the “premiere” of the nearly five-minute video — which came during a commissioners’ meeting.
She particularly enjoyed the videography and pictures, produced by DRM Productions of Mansfield.
“I loved the audio and incorporating different voices and people,” Heinz said. “It’s a wonderful way to effectively communicate the great things around the county.”
The video is narrated by county administrator Andrew Keller; commissioners Tony Vero, Darrell Banks and Cliff Mears; Richland County Clerk of Courts Denise Ruhl and Jodie Schumacher, the county’s prosecutor.
Highlighted are several of the county’s important projects, community investments and its financial position.
Vero said the county is paying $10,000 to produce the “State of the County” video, with an in-kind contribution from DRM for $5,400.
(Below is the 2024 “State of the County” video, produced by DRM Productions of Mansfield.)
‘Planning and projects’ defining words of 2024
The video covered several topics as it played on the TV inside commissioners’ meeting room Tuesday.
The video address is part of commissioners’ “emphasis on transparency and local government accountability,” it said in a press release sent Tuesday morning.
Below is a list of notable achievements from last year, specified during the video:
- For the eighth consecutive year, county general fund revenues exceeded expenses.
- One of the lowest county sales tax rates (7 percent) in the state was maintained.
- Progress at Mansfield’s new Sterkel Community Park for All.
- Relocated the Clerk of Courts office.
- Made capital improvements to the newly-renovated grand jury space
- Invested nearly $250,000 in repairing and improving the county’s 44 tornado sirens, including activation with MARCS radio compatibility.
- Partnered with City of Mansfield to add four new tornado sirens within city limits, where no sirens currently exist.
- Celebrated the grand opening of a $1.2 million show arena at the Richland County Fairgrounds.
‘State of the County’ videos to continue annually
Vero previously said the impetus for the “State of the County” video came when commissioners attended a regional meeting in Delaware County about two years ago and saw a similar series of videos produced by commissioners there.
Finances considered, commissioners plan to continue releasing a video annually, he said Tuesday morning.
“We’ve already started thinking about this year’s (video),” Vero said. “The plan is to showcase different offices that are involved, that have significant projects or initiatives during the year.
“The thing is, and this is a good thing, we have too many projects. We try to keep it within five minutes, so something to think about as we move forward,” he said.
