The Tuscarawas County Commissioners have offered the Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Starlight Enterprises Inc. the opportunity to meet with a mediator in order to attempt a resolution of issues following the developmental disabilities board's decision not to renew its service contract with Starlight. Neither agency will be on the hook for payment of the mediator’s services.

Concerns about the matters arose on June 15^th after the board of developmental disabilities voted not to renew its one-year contract with Starlight. The company provided adult services and vocational and employment training. The board however did approve a four-month contract through October 31^st that provides Starlight time to find a new location.

Starlight is open to the opportunity to mediate and has already contacted the mediator to discuss the issue. Representatives from the county board have not yet contacted the mediator, but did state to the local paper that they are willing to consider re-opening negotiations. Their goal is to develop a working relationship with Starlight and they made it clear they are not ending their work together, even if the scope or location of the work changes.

The mediator assigned to the dispute is a neutral third party who will hear both sides of the matter. She will not make a ruling or decision, as would be the case in arbitration or a trial. Instead, she will facilitate discussion between the county board and Starlight in hopes of their coming to a mutually satisfactory agreement together. If mediation is unsuccessful, either party would have the option of pursing a different means of dispute resolution.