Saturday, November 4, 2000 By BRENDA M. CULLER

brendaculler@sanduskyregister.com

PORT CLINTON

Ottawa County officials disturbed by alleged account mistakes at the county's current bank are taking their funds elsewhere. This was part of the discussion among Ottawa County's elected officials during Wednesday's commissioners meeting.

County Treasurer Jacqueline Chapman said problems with Key Bank, where most county offices keep their funds, included unreasonable service charges and serious mistakes on her office's accounts.

"They would debit the account without giving me a reason why, then it would be up to me to tell them what was wrong," Chapman said.

Chapman said she is pleased with her decision to change the treasurer's office account to the National Bank of Oak Harbor.

"When you pick up a phone and call and the president of the bank answers and says, 'Good morning, Jackie, how are you?' it makes you feel good," Chapman said.

Other officials expressed separate concerns with their Key Bank accounts as well.Ottawa County Juvenile and Probate Judge David Zeitzheim suggested all Ottawa County offices look into moving their budgets and soliciting account bids together.

A Key Bank spokesman said this was an issue that needed further examination and Key Bank would make every effort to solve any problems, as they would with any public or business account.

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-- Doris (reaper@pacifier.com), November 04, 2000