Hardin Leadership Inc.

10/19/2026

Bia Evans is the Director of Nursing at Hardin County Health Department. They are most known for being the office where you can obtain birth and death certificates. Did you know that if you were born in Ohio, you can obtain your birth certificate from any department in the state?
The Health Department offers reporting and oversight of infectious disease and the car seat program. The Complex Medical Help (CMH) is part of Ohio Department of Health and Bia works with the clients praticipaitn in the program in Hardin County. The program is available to those with eligible chronic health conditions to assist with payment of medical services not covered by insurance. KHHD works with Samaritan Partners to assist with the cost of medical equipment for those in need. They provide blood pressure testing at the Council on Aging, They also offer an environment health and sanitation program that covers food inspection and water/sewer concerns. The department is staffed by five full-time and one part-time staff members. The greatest challenge was loss of employees in 2024 who staffed the once multiple positions and programs and will be the rebuilding of programs to offer to the community. The most popular of the discontinued programs were the immunization clinics offered at different locations throughout the county each month. The department is hoping to offer the immunization clinics once they can provide full oversight. They are welcome to phone calls to answer questions regarding issues regarding community health.
Written by Angela Frater

10/16/2026

Andrew Tudor was elected as Municipal Court Judge in January 2026. Before becoming a judge, Judge Tudor served as Prosecuting Attorney for 5 years and currently continues to practice law in Kenton. Judge Tudor overseas misdemeanor cases and felony arraignments, as well as preliminary hearings. Judge Tudor also performs weddings in his courtroom. Judge Tudor wants to help the people that come into the courtroom. He strives to help them alter the path which led them there.
Judge Tudor encourages citizens to educate themselves on the law. He reminds us that public opinion is not fact. Judge Tudor feels strongly about a citizen’s right and responsibility to attend jury duty when served.
Judge Tudor considers it a privilege to be a part of the judicial system. He offers those in the courtroom the assistance needed to change the course they are on for the better.
Written by Julie Freshcorn

10/14/2026

During Hardin Leadership’s Local Government Day, I had the opportunity to learn more about Hardin County Recorder Brenda J. Rainsburg and the important work performed by the Recorder’s Office.

The Recorder’s Office maintains public records involving real estate ownership, property transactions, deeds, mortgages, liens, and other documents that help establish and preserve a clear history of property ownership in Hardin County.

One of the challenges facing the office is balancing the preservation of decades of records with the continued move toward digital services. Hardin County offers digital access to property records dating back to 1980 and accepts electronic real estate recordings, but converting older records into searchable digital formats is a large and ongoing task.

Another growing concern is property and deed fraud. As more transactions and records become electronic, protecting property owners from fraudulent filings has become increasingly important.

One way Hardin County residents can help protect themselves is by signing up for the Recorder’s Office’s Fraudsleuth alerts. This service can alert property owners when documents matching their information are recorded, giving them an opportunity to identify suspicious activity early and potentially save themselves considerable time, stress, and expense.

I enjoyed learning more about an office that plays such an important role in protecting property ownership and preserving Hardin County’s public records. Thank you to Brenda Rainsburg and the Hardin County Recorder’s Office for taking the time to share more about what they do for our community!

Written by Abbie Culver

10/12/2026

Mike Bacon is the current Hardin County Auditor. He has served in this position for 32 years and is retiring at the end of this year.

The County Auditor has three major roles…Chief Fiscal Officer, Chief Assessor, and Chief Payroll Officer. He and his team of six are responsible for all the financial operations and financial transactions. They process 800-1000 checks per month. They collect your property taxes and distribute dog tags. Have you ever noticed the inspection sticker on the pump while getting gas? They do that too. In 2026, they installed a new software system to better manage their processes. Learning a new system is always a challenge. Another challenge for their office is keeping up with all the legislative changes coming from state government. The most recent change was House Bill 186, which had to do with real estate valuations and property taxes. As a community member, one of the best ways to help the auditor’s office is to pay your property taxes on time.

Mike, thank you for your years of service to the city and county. Enjoy your upcoming retirement. Written by Mark Boyer

10/09/2026

Let’s hear from the City of Kenton Mayor - Lynn Webb!

Being mayor is about more than holding a title, it’s about serving the community, making responsible decisions, listening to residents, and helping guide the town toward a stronger future.

Some of the greatest challenges are balancing limited resources, addressing the needs of today while planning for tomorrow, and ensuring that our community’s priorities remain at the center of every decision.

Our City Council is a great working body that helps shape local legislation, holds key stakeholders accountable, and works to ensure tax revenue is allocated in ways that reflect the best interests of the community. But the mayor’s office and council can’t do it alone. Community involvement matters! Attend meetings, stay informed, ask questions, share ideas, volunteer, and hold your local government accountable.

If we focus now on strengthening and restoring the foundation of our town, we can give future generations something strong to build upon.

Jake Abbott

10/09/2026

We were privileged to host esteemed local professionals, including Kevin Ernst, Mark Doll, Holly Underwood, Nicole Scott, Annetta Shirk, Jordan Ruppert, and Ty Mathews, who presented insightful talks at Hardin Leadership's ninth session, focusing on Economic Development Vitality.

10/08/2026

Thank you for being one of our session speakers today! The work you do is invaluable to the development of small business in Hardin County.

Our SBDC Director, Nicole Scott, had the opportunity to speak with members of Hardin Leadership Inc. at the Ada Public Library and share more about the role of the Small Business Development Center in supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses in Hardin County.

Thank you to Hardin Leadership Inc. for the opportunity to connect with local leaders and share more about the resources and support available to small businesses in our community!

10/07/2026

Introducing Hardin County's Sheriff, Keith Everhart

The Hardin County Sheriff’s Office serves the community by providing countywide law enforcement, court security, 911 dispatch, and a wide range of other essential services.

Community support and connection are at the heart of their work. Sheriff Everhart encourages residents to stay engaged—if you see something, say something—and extends a sincere thank you for the community's continued support as we work together to keep Hardin County safe.

Written by Shelby Ruhlen

10/06/2026

Thanks Ada Public Library for hosting our October session of Hardin Leadership--Economic Development Vitality on Thursday. We look forward to the local partners sharing how they make this work in Hardin County. In the afternoon, we will be touring Wilson Sporting Goods. A perfect fall outing!

10/05/2026

Let us hear from Judge Maria Santo.

Maria Santo serves as the judge of the Hardin County Common Pleas Court, Domestic Relations/Juvenile Divisions. She handles a wide variety of cases that are critical for our community. Judge Santo’s cases include juvenile traffic violations, Children Services matters, divorce and custody cases, CPO's, stalking cases, child and spousal support, search warrants, truancy and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The Court also handles some adult criminal cases.
Despite its broad responsibilities, the Court faces several challenges. There has been an increase in the case load for school truancy cases. Space is a major issue for the court resulting in the department being spread out, with the probation office being in a separate building. The Court also has a long requirement for record keeping that their current space makes things challenging. Another challenge for the Court is the lack of mentors that are available for our juveniles that come through the court. While the Judge hands down punishment, she also wants to help the kids in any way that she can. The Court pays for math and reading tutors since the schools do not provide such services.
If there was a way for community members to help assist her, it would be to become a mentor. Positive role models can help guide young people toward a brighter future, expose them to new opportunities, and encourage them to make positive choices that hopefully lead them on a new path toward success.

Written by Katie Latimore