What Huron County government does for Bellevue residents on the east side
The county seat is Norwalk. Commissioners, the auditor, the treasurer and the courts handle much of what residents need beyond city services.
The eastern part of Bellevue lies in Huron County, whose government is based in Norwalk, about 15 miles east. For residents there, the county handles everything from property records to road maintenance outside the city limits.
The commissioners
Three elected commissioners serve as the county’s executive and legislative body. They approve the county budget, set county-level fees, oversee county buildings and appoint some department heads. They also decide how to spend money from sources such as state grants and the opioid settlements we described in our profile of Attorney General Dave Yost. Meeting agendas and minutes are posted on the county website.
Other elected officials
The auditor appraises property and calculates tax bills. The treasurer collects taxes and invests county money. The recorder keeps deeds and mortgages. The engineer maintains county roads and bridges, and the sheriff runs the jail and patrols unincorporated areas. The prosecutor handles felony cases and advises county offices. Each is elected to a four-year term.
Courts
The Huron County Common Pleas Court handles felony criminal cases, major civil lawsuits and domestic relations. Probate and juvenile matters have their own divisions. The courthouse on the public square in Norwalk is one of the city’s landmarks.
Services residents use
Residents deal with the county for dog licenses, marriage licenses, property records, title transfers and veteran services. The county health department, jobs and family services office and board of developmental disabilities serve residents countywide. Fisher-Titus Medical Center in Norwalk is the main hospital on that side of the county.
Four counties, four sets of offices
Bellevue residents in Sandusky, Seneca or Erie counties deal with those counties instead. Our explainer on the four-county split covers the differences. For the business side of the county seat, see our story on Norwalk’s uptown. More in Local News.