[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6264560,"mediaKeyId","3096297-160b7eb676005d74b10c26adca5be0ff","parentId",3096297,"title","Lorain County commissioners approve routine agenda, contracts and multiple grant authorizations","audioSeconds",65,"startMs",1567000,"endMs",1632000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3096297-160b7eb676005d74b10c26adca5be0ff&start=1567&end=1632","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3096297-160b7eb676005d74b10c26adca5be0ff/thumbnail_1567000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6264560/Lorain-County/Ohio/Lorain-County-commissioners-approve-routine-agenda-contracts-and-multiple-grant-authorizations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6264560-07857a3106dd7c0d9b40905e1760121a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771046203&Signature=B5bPC8oQ-w~RZbIT1VHlbkhq1W696LWtWsDeKbeGHr7CzdPMJlYJnF~aQ0BeuhtcE3JXJbwcP3RZz3IzW2y~EzLaZjGpPB9N2SQbUm~RKxIoFY6pkTjmEKUv3SANPqHqNSrA1yZIXPTa8bwjYtnpoTntwOiG5M0V3XUdla0I7C1D0AxfWRBbdlxoMzxaCOz1n2n5NuJrczrKM~yLQbKWc90UAwVs1glOEJYV~EYQ1vZL5YOjMnGqYkcwSD5UAQd~yh1d-8epbw3bzOVUGEZx-bKucXbYT7ecuWk-R~0IT4diFFpeORbLKg6xKztNIl6aQZv~MEVS8Em58TiacOgUaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lorain County OH","date","2025-04-23T16:55:01.6Z","article","The Lorain County Board of Commissioners approved routine appropriations, transfers, multiple construction and professional service contracts and authorized county staff to execute state grant agreements at its April 22 meeting.

The board voted unanimously to approve the consent agenda items that included investments, appropriations, transfers, advances/repayments, requisitions, travel requests and bills. Commissioners also approved a series of specific contracts and grant-authority items, including waterline and sanitary sewer work, a traffic-signal project, highway safety and resurfacing applications to the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC), and county engineering professional services.

The actions included: a $289,297 contract award to R.A. Boros Excavating Inc. for the Rosewood Street waterline replacement (replace approx. 1,170 linear feet of 8-inch waterline), an amendment correcting accounting for a previously approved $923,757 contract with Hula Construction for the Lake Avenue sanitary extension project, and a lease extension at the Lorain County Regional Airport with NeoX Systems Inc. for space at $4,116 per year. The board also awarded a $346,500 contract to Miller Cable Company for a traffic signal replacement at North Ridge Road and Larry Avenue and approved a $49,649 contract for construction inspection and administration services for a township road project. A $25,000 task-order consulting agreement with Burgess & Niple was approved for general engineering support.

The board authorized the Lorain County Engineer, Ken Kearney, to execute OPWC grant agreements for Round 39 applications for four local projects including Nickel Plate diagonal road reconstruction (estimated cost $385,000; OPWC request $284,900), South Amherst Road resurfacing (estimated cost $2,575,120; OPWC request $515,024), Chestnut Ridge Road safety improvement (estimated cost $789,050; OPWC request $157,810), and the Overland/Lehi Road roundabout (estimated cost $1,749,840; OPWC request $349,968; additional CEAA/CEAO safety funding noted). Board discussion referenced the county’s local matching needs and the May election item to renew state bonding that funds OPWC grants.

The board approved the minutes for April 11–15 and a personnel summary sheet. Commissioners recessed briefly into an executive session to discuss labor-contract matters and other personnel items as permitted under Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22; they reconvened and subsequently adjourned.

Votes at a glance (selected items):
- Investments (Agenda Item 1): Approved; recorded ayes from commissioners in attendance.
- Appropriations (Item 2): Approved.
- Transfers (Item 3): Approved after discussion about unbudgeted payout liabilities for retiring sheriff’s office employees (see separate article on transfers and sheriff payouts).
- Requisitions (Item 5): Approved with one item (No. 930) held for review until the Friday meeting; board members agreed to hold that item pending administrator review.
- Sanitary: Contract with R.A. Boros Excavating Inc. for Rosewood Street waterline replacement, $289,297 — approved.
- Sanitary: Amendment to contract with Hula Construction, $923,757 (Lake Avenue Sanitary Extension) — approved to correct the project account.
- Airport: Lease extension with NeoX Systems Inc., retroactive March 1 through Feb. 28 (term years as presented), $4,116 per year — approved.
- Engineer/OPWC: Authorized execution of Round 39 OPWC grant agreements for four projects — approved.
- Traffic signal: Contract with Miller Cable Company, $346,500 — approved.
- Construction inspection: Contract for quality control services, $49,649 — approved.
- Consulting: Agreement with Burgess & Niple, $25,000 — approved.
- Minutes approval and personnel summary sheet — approved.

Several routine items drew brief discussion but no recorded roll-call opposition. The board also discussed continuing operational costs for the Lorain County Jail’s inmate pharmaceuticals, with a county official noting that the jail pharmaceutical budget will “probably approach about a million dollars” for the fiscal year.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Commissioners' Board Meeting 4/22/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Lorain County Board of Commissioners approved routine appropriations, transfers, contracts and grant authorizations at its April 22 meeting, including multiple construction awards and authorization for the county engineer to execute Ohio Public Works Commission grant agreements.","taxTitle","Lorain County, Ohio","taxId",4370,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6264540,"County submits $10 million grant application for mega-site; county communications towers and radio upgrades move forward",263,1697000,1960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3096297-160b7eb676005d74b10c26adca5be0ff&start=1697&end=1960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3096297-160b7eb676005d74b10c26adca5be0ff/thumbnail_1697000.jpg","/articles/6264540/Lorain-County/Ohio/County-submits-10-million-grant-application-for-mega-site-county-communications-towers-and-radio-upgrades-move-forward","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6264540-394a002befa93623efdc3d3e5cad5ef4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771046203&Signature=OcUZUNDCbKDCCjQBki7EPlKyE0W6MDhsPrErWJR4a2MkVu30Fe9~3Fp8JKGZpfA-QvYHnaFljDGxxhvO4Ae4wkgptxarjR8IFmTZg39eu8l9l2kfcg~-ByNMXl8bd-VRsesnWMgIF~NKvQWs5By~OwRh~99eqBfg0i4JUhfs30sEKp7ho0z13758Uz0WhoqOZpxPEL23RSmEo8ytNJxiy8uBsvTEjZqheYNLyctzfU0rm9g4ZBt~iqdkJM7G7NwCwezHZmIkZEOYGbKQ5bElM1kbTQI~0dzyA6WEdhn1m6FkTpsADGDM~U~JlCgEgyur2zOG2PFCiN97xiuuIPQNFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County administration reported to the commissioners that staff submitted a competitive grant application seeking $10,000,000 for development tied to the county’s mega-site and sewer improvements. The grant package, assembled quickly after a notice from state and federal contacts, included letters of support from Lorain County Community College, the chamber of commerce and Team NEO. Administration said the package met the initial deadline and that the county was first in the queue when the submission window was extended.

County officials also reported the county’s communications-tower project will move into construction and that all tower sites are expected to be under construction by the coming Thursday. The target schedule presented calls for tower completion and countywide testing during the late summer (work and testing noted to be completed ahead of fall leaves). Commissioners said they expect Motorola to guarantee the coverage once testing is complete.

Administration added that the sheriff’s office has worked with Motorola to procure appropriate radios and that some previously boxed radios were discovered at county facilities; those radios will be refurbished or have batteries replaced as appropriate. Commissioners praised the work to advance tower construction and radio provisioning and said they expect further project updates after Labor Day.

Ending: Administration said the county will continue to pursue competitive grants for development and will provide further construction and implementation updates as contracts are executed and testing proceeds.","County administration reported it submitted a competitive grant package seeking $10 million for a mega-site and sewer infrastructure and said communications tower construction will begin soon; the sheriff’s office is coordinating radio upgrades with Motorola.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6264543,"Lorain County Community Action launches Via LC voucher pilot to help low-income residents reach services",173,2172000,2345000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3096297-160b7eb676005d74b10c26adca5be0ff&start=2172&end=2345","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3096297-160b7eb676005d74b10c26adca5be0ff/thumbnail_2172000.jpg","/articles/6264543/Lorain-County/Ohio/Lorain-County-Community-Action-launches-Via-LC-voucher-pilot-to-help-low-income-residents-reach-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6264543-bd1d5de61b8a2df68959de8ecfd71499/orig.mp4?Expires=1771046203&Signature=Ec9uRH7fch7ZU512an8arp7DfirXeofNFMzSsPXpsKzWjmijqvquqyu-AYU0akWO7Cy8asGs9xO2WYZWz5gbdwGKnWhOtO4LyG7j98RB4PO~XwJ1pEfYsqiB6dWYKqmbZixKcoUsYsnA1M8-86G6zu9aZ53TW3NiuFSOUvKRrjKlFkeNpvyPjPfbD8sxeEPIpKXipXGmJFVrCaCQs6jBGFnRBXmcxS7eogCHQdrDEwwcTqpsBScOL4U9Ij96jGXYgR6i8E~fpne~IU5S~UTswZo8hP7fZXwtZV4OQ-OEXTKGBDJayoHIe1ppxMGWTxuG~wrb1me-SZOgkcZPDZT1CA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During public comment at the April 22 commissioners meeting, Bobby Taylor, director of planning and grantsmanship at Lorain County Community Action Agency, described a mini-grant–funded pilot that distributes prepaid vouchers for the Via LC on-demand transit service to low-income residents.

Taylor said the vouchers are intended to remove transportation barriers that prevent residents from attending appointments for energy assistance, Head Start enrollment, produce-center distributions and other essential services. The vouchers are funded by a mini grant from the Lakeland Community Fund facilitated by the Community Foundation of Lorain County and enable residents to use Via LC’s existing on-demand transit service without creating new transport infrastructure.

Taylor told the board that the agency is tracking usage and service completion rates; early figures cited 10,000 rides in the first two months of Via LC operations and a marked increase in appointment completion where transportation barriers are removed. Vouchers can be picked up at the Lorain County Community Action Agency office at 936 Broadway on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 8–11 a.m. and 1–3 p.m., and residents need a valid photo ID to receive one.

Taylor said the pilot intends to demonstrate demand and hoped the county and other funders would consider budget or legislative support for sustaining the approach if the pilot exhausts its initial funding.

Ending: The commissioners expressed support for the program and encouraged outreach to legislators and local partners to identify longer-term funding if the pilot shows strong results.","At the public comment period, Bobby Taylor of the Lorain County Community Action Agency described a new voucher pilot that provides prepaid ride vouchers for Via LC on-demand transit to help low-income residents access critical services and appointments.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6264548,"Commissioners create paid seasonal hearing-officer classification for Board of Revision appeals",189,949000,1138000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3096297-160b7eb676005d74b10c26adca5be0ff&start=949&end=1138","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3096297-160b7eb676005d74b10c26adca5be0ff/thumbnail_949000.jpg","/articles/6264548/Lorain-County/Ohio/Commissioners-create-paid-seasonal-hearing-officer-classification-for-Board-of-Revision-appeals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6264548-5912b390b1c5f59e9e11e0ac26585bf0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771046203&Signature=jqU2Rp4TtDjeRc~fX65bPEbvyajwqgqP0KlvaHi-wEnb8dc5lethDP6dMzcoQe4dqycJzlkLmsiKder~r~vXWkqojVVkcfjrvpOxCj8Opqv4p577CZq6z-seHrFL1Qx-51~St0z5dRB-DtXuwIXAQCWCd8-T-vPPkQs05fppNy5reMO65ZEvf7ve~Xu7ffCdFrhg5xm57r63hS0-r3M0NZnRBRHls4-tDwfXRClAEedPTxXI91~XxMAD65axeBsJQZ~o0duDHmB2mu1UPg5JlwmiwHhn5RmUgHh3muxmfn4SD~PDIhjVspTdP82YJcyn-pB~7CtNKooS4moYvSBDFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lorain County Board of Commissioners voted to amend the county compensation plan to add a seasonal hearing-officer classification to serve on Board of Revision appeals. The position is seasonal (approximately March through May or as needed) and will be paid on a per-diem basis not to exceed $200 unless modified by subsequent resolution.

Commissioners explained the change came after conversations with local real estate professionals and the county auditor. The county had planned to use a rotating roster of 6–10 licensed real estate professionals to sit as hearing officers and provide current-market expertise to taxpayers appealing property valuations. However, the auditor advised that those compensated for hearing duties must be employees rather than unpaid volunteers; the amendment makes the role an employee classification so payment can be made in compliance with auditor guidance.

Commissioners said the volunteer interest had been strong and that many participants offered time pro bono, but the county must pay hearing officers to comply with statutory and auditor requirements. The board also noted that the Board of Revision has received a large volume of appeals this year—commissioners said roughly 1,200 appeals are expected—and said the county plans to recognize volunteers and compensated participants at the conclusion of the process.

Ending: The compensation plan amendment passed unanimously; human resources will implement the payroll classification and the county will publish further details on pay and scheduling.","The board amended its compensation plan to add a seasonal, per-diem hearing-officer classification (not to exceed $200/day) to staff Board of Revision hearings; the change follows auditor guidance that compensated hearing officers must be employees rather than volunteers.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6264554,"Commissioners express concern over large, unbudgeted sheriff’s office payouts; direct staff to draft policy",152,332000,484000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3096297-160b7eb676005d74b10c26adca5be0ff&start=332&end=484","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3096297-160b7eb676005d74b10c26adca5be0ff/thumbnail_332000.jpg","/articles/6264554/Lorain-County/Ohio/Commissioners-express-concern-over-large-unbudgeted-sheriffs-office-payouts-direct-staff-to-draft-policy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6264554-f0a9457eaa0a4e34a1c9f43bc1b8451c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771046203&Signature=illZgy3AZn2nk0U6YWmlaxoFaRvadd589wl0j~TuUuQ2NmPA3qoLQ~pdgEaT-H81cNJmsCPHNCcb6~LGJXUOiLdk~HlHhEFL~pXCVxyR4udcki1ewsFMMcJMMbyEEemJIZQEJyuxknTUNe3DicDQ9gF48WrKGnVu0YD2ktT93nbLLCNBMbc8cqzzWEs3Y3AfSXpcvwV6cRpHulv5hYWOhep7kB6M4Mu5DfuZWG-LrXGFd-J3pVvLsrr7YBM6~P7SgHcK5eTaZbpHnZBluI16zeI9OeGC6JZ9Z2uLQOHQb7dneDuL6TjMAF46bkfh5udRPTKgFh39z38OvDYTlcTlXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lorain County commissioners said they will work on a formal policy after approving transfers that included departmental reimbursement for vacation and unused sick time for two sheriff’s office employees, payments the board described as unbudgeted and significant for the current fiscal year.

During discussion the commissioners noted the payouts—described in the meeting as roughly $79,000 to $80,000 in total—were not included in the adopted budget and have strained the sheriff’s current budget. Commissioners said the payments stem from agreements executed under the previous sheriff’s administration and that the board was not aware of the arrangements.

A commissioner said the recipients “earned it,” while also stressing the county needs to budget for similar liabilities going forward. Commissioners asked county administration to draft guidance and a policy, and instructed staff to return with a proposed approach that would allow departments to anticipate such payouts during budget preparation.

The board also questioned whether the previous sheriff had the authority to enter into agreements that created these payouts without the commissioners’ prior approval. Commissioners said the current sheriff should not bear the budgetary consequences of deals made before he took office. The transfers passed on the board’s vote while commissioners agreed to pursue a written policy clarifying future authority, budget treatment and approval procedures.

Ending: The administration will prepare a proposed policy and return to the board for further action; the board recorded the approved transfer and noted the financial impact for future budget cycles.","During the April 22 meeting commissioners discussed two large, unbudgeted payouts to sheriff’s office employees tied to accrued vacation and unused sick time and directed county administration to develop guidance to avoid future budget impacts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lorain County commissioners approve routine agenda, contracts and multiple grant authorizations

County submits $10 million grant application for mega-site; county communications towers and radio upgrades move forward

Lorain County Community Action launches Via LC voucher pilot to help low-income residents reach services

Commissioners create paid seasonal hearing-officer classification for Board of Revision appeals

Commissioners express concern over large, unbudgeted sheriff’s office payouts; direct staff to draft policy