SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO—Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro has announced operational changes intended to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 while still maintaining the continuity of necessary County services and functions. Beginning Wednesday, March 18, 2020, the Executive’s departments will temporarily adjust staffing to essential personnel only.
Non-essential personnel were placed on paid administrative leave and all essential staff who currently have the capability to work from home will begin that assignment tomorrow. Additional technological equipment is being secured and prepared to assist additional essential staff to shift to work from home status, as well.
“The health and safety of my staff and the public we serve is my number one priority. It is my intention to continue all County services while providing options for my employees that allow for social distancing, telecommuting, and work from home capabilities as we make every effort to help flatten the curve,” said Executive Shapiro.
Earlier this week, Executive Shapiro announced public access has been suspended at Job and Family Services, the OhioMeansJobs Center, Sanitary Sewer Services, Animal Control and Building Standards.
County residents can continue to access services in the following ways:
Job and Family Services: Documents and correspondence can be uploaded at www.summitdjfs.org, faxed to 866-351-8292, dropped in the exterior drop box at the S. Main location, or mailed to 1180 S Main St, Suite 102, Akron OH 44301-1256. To apply for, renew or update cash, food, medical or child care assistance, call 1-844-640-6446 or apply online at www.Benefits.Ohio.gov. To report abuse, neglect or exploitation of seniors, please call 330-643-7217.
Unemployment Benefits: Residents can apply online at www.unemployment.ohio.gov or by calling 1-877-644-6562 or TTY 1-614-387-8408 (excluding holidays) 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The requirement to come into an OhioMeansJobs Center to begin a job search once a claim is filed is being suspended until further notice by the State.
Sanitary Sewer Services: Residents can pay their sewer bill online at https://summitoh.firstbilling.com/ or use the drop box location at 1180 S. Main St in Akron. Only checks may be deposited in the drop box. In case of an emergency, staff can be reached 24 hours a day at 800-828-2087.
Building Standards: The office will continue to accept permit requests, inspection requests, and plan submittals through www.BSAonline.com, mail or email. If you are applying for a permit, scheduling inspections or submitting plans, with no access to BS&A, please complete the proper forms located on our Building Standards website, www.buildingstandards.summitoh.net. You may mail the completed forms into our office, or email documents to submittals@summitoh.net. Payments can be made through the Official Payments website, https://www.officialpayments.com/, as we will only be taking credit card payments at this time. A remote inspection policy has been implemented. An attempt will be made to conduct inspections via Skype or Face-time for all occupied structures within areas of Summit County which are inspected by the Department of Building Standards. When requesting an inspection, please be prepared to have personnel onsite with video chat capability (smartphone) in order to conduct the inspection. Inspections for vacant structures, outdoor inspections such as postholes and new AC compressors will still be conducted by Summit County Department of Building Standards personnel. Processing applications for Certificate of Occupancy requests for existing structures will be temporarily suspended as well.
Animal Control: Volunteer services are suspended until further notice. Until public access has been restored, only law enforcement will be able to make drops off at Animal Control. Members of the public who wish to be reunited with their animal should call 330-643-2845 to schedule an appointment.
