[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6242320,"mediaKeyId","3247919-6c868e4e531e405d4b5c179e45abd5f7","parentId",3247919,"title","Lorain County commissioners approve additional $5 motor vehicle license fee to leverage public works funding","audioSeconds",82,"startMs",1314000,"endMs",1396000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3247919-6c868e4e531e405d4b5c179e45abd5f7&start=1314&end=1396","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3247919-6c868e4e531e405d4b5c179e45abd5f7/thumbnail_1314000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6242320/Lorain-County/Ohio/Lorain-County-commissioners-approve-additional-5-motor-vehicle-license-fee-to-leverage-public-works-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242320-16237edf2105e8cfe74b32f050a19391/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160826&Signature=cgm9ha7o87qHvfjk-kYXPInhU9okrhRbWbvUCv~U9On41u5NkjTO7h~QyHFhliVGnWyYI4LpDAhC91TEekPA7JvNtS9hss5nO~pY57Teykck~oI8tSSyKai2p6yDVHikt-X0YMXv3dHNrl6EeNDAzk4Ru1~lkaopYXWMSsRszWw26y8xFmIWBSPjQU68W36MUe1WjBwIsZhUgA05qvllvLdcdEZfd~O2cg1p331SYItWhoAYVcYR60o4CGjgRVPUug5GuHvhBOXShs5AlT20dMruvU-yWtGUhyrVIeK82tX88erX1-EfElOS8xUkylxCA68huVwEXrkie1madgM11A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lorain County OH","date","2025-05-06T21:30:30Z","article","Lorain County commissioners voted May 9 to levy an additional $5 motor vehicle license fee under Ohio law, a permissive local charge commissioners said will be paired with a recently approved public-works funding measure to leverage more road and bridge work.

During discussion, a commissioner framed the fee as user-based: \"it's only the people that use the roads are gonna pay the $5,\" and said the county expects the $5 fee to act as local match to multiply public-works funding. The board referenced Ohio Revised Code authority for permissive vehicle license fees when moving the measure.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the licensing fee will increase the county’s local share and help unlock larger infrastructure dollars, converting the local $5 into $20–$25 worth of project funding through leveraged matching programs. They emphasized that funds will go to road and bridge projects and not to salaries or general operations.

Action recorded: The board moved and approved the levy; recorded roll-call votes were affirmative. Commissioners noted available statutory exemptions under the Ohio Revised Code would be observed.

What’s next: The county engineering office will administer the program as a revenue source for road and bridge capital projects; commissioners directed support for the engineer’s office to continue project delivery.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Commissioners' Board Meeting 5/9/25","oneSentenceSummary","The board enacted a permissive $5 motor vehicle license fee under Ohio law to pair with a voter-approved public works measure, with commissioners describing the fee as a user-based revenue source to increase road and bridge funding.","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},6242326,"Students win Lorain County billboard contest as county promotes Keep Lorain County Beautiful Day",170,155000,325000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3247919-6c868e4e531e405d4b5c179e45abd5f7&start=155&end=325","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3247919-6c868e4e531e405d4b5c179e45abd5f7/thumbnail_155000.jpg","/articles/6242326/Lorain-County/Ohio/Students-win-Lorain-County-billboard-contest-as-county-promotes-Keep-Lorain-County-Beautiful-Day","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242326-802131acae01f817c7b95a0c0907422c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160826&Signature=Jjl3VzmrkiDyp98pt-NhEXM1iFK0kih2wkqgL2Y0YHX~-kIk3Ll95Q8SjM9dnaFqh7G9jTDMWeM3Z9ps0zPuoYyb9jT0mAQWErz3mcZYYwyu3sx54BYo1E8F-IYGDG2Qn3Ah18ovBKcKCWUqR2bWNTuOpALTodtkg4uJ~J-PsZ7vN1APG1uw6A4qxRcUxJVb7c6HRfxXHkVmM25BJtUZr2CHw4UDcmFew~vd8z8KL6pnuOXFQosRYdq2gsHSKLnJT4Sbxv~NxqX93Vjn3cD0J5jOGs3bPJ11aDFBUWzA5bIxyI-~RIlmfPu3Kc8Z~4DYTiO0ksef62iKYrWXj0eB0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lorain County commissioners on May 9 recognized student winners of the Keep Lorain County Beautiful billboard design contest and heard details about the countywide cleanup day scheduled for Saturday, May 17.

Brandy Schnell, special projects manager with the Lorain County Solid Waste Management District, told commissioners the cleanup runs from 9 a.m. to noon and typically attracts about 1,500 volunteers countywide. \"It's always the third Saturday in May,\" Schnell said, adding the event includes litter pickup, pollinator gardens, graffiti abatement and other beautification projects; the district supplies bags, bottled water and safety vests.

Schnell announced the billboard contest drew 765 entries and introduced three winners: Madeline Parabec, a sixth grader at St. Jude School (winning billboard on State Route 57 visible from the Lorain County Collection Center); Sadie Ballinger, a fifth grader at Oberlin Elementary (billboard on State Route 10 just east of Jerky Road); and Amelia C., a second grader at Liberty Elementary in North Ridgeville (billboard in downtown Elyria on West Avenue just south of Lake Avenue). Winners received a certificate signed by the commissioners, $50 and a miniature replica of their billboard.

Why it matters: Keep Lorain County Beautiful Day is a long-running volunteer effort (Schnell said this is the program’s 25th year) that county officials said both reduces litter and provides civic engagement opportunities for residents and local businesses. Commissioners encouraged businesses and residents to participate in the May 17 event and to pick up kits on the preceding Thursday.

Action and logistics: Schnell described donated supplies from local companies (hand wipes and buckets from private donors and Sherwin-Williams) and said kit pickup for participating jurisdictions occurs the Thursday before the event. Commissioners invited the winners to the dais for certificates and photos.","Lorain County commissioners recognized winners of the annual billboard contest promoting Keep Lorain County Beautiful Day and heard details about the countywide cleanup scheduled May 17.",{"_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},6242330,"Lorain County amends contract for Sustainability Learning Center exhibits after change orders; Ohio EPA grant offsets cost",216,2659000,2875000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3247919-6c868e4e531e405d4b5c179e45abd5f7&start=2659&end=2875","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3247919-6c868e4e531e405d4b5c179e45abd5f7/thumbnail_2659000.jpg","/articles/6242330/Lorain-County/Ohio/Lorain-County-amends-contract-for-Sustainability-Learning-Center-exhibits-after-change-orders-Ohio-EPA-grant-offsets-cost","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242330-f0c0b26ab82475c55e67a11147949635/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160826&Signature=aCgPZMzrBQB3HURRgmJAHyzJbgskK3wyHihyz~0q4JHt1Swu2w-S9EilkCtjBuwAsFiVI4h5v-3JdUwIEsAhGr2d3bypojbVy9nhPyYXb2jDJey6XKZe-tLA3cJsFhvlce7HoLZ11iomaO2DrWpPK6ZKjQsUJgdOW2u0jFXVK7AL4bc8lmfuw~ZZzLBviCaOwIXLWmQ~W8Pht9CN8IRsgsgaoMCEUA7iV4n3zRtKUJxvenL~ouHf0VikBxQzDS35gw8JpHmZ8DW1H8dxaH3HiO1b1Vfo70FN~eQz~K8VTJ3IjCFD~lQEtt7iTmo3~qwisMxx4mPX7UCuqjhzoAqPrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lorain County commissioners on May 9 approved an amendment increasing a contract to design exhibits at the Lorain County Sustainability Learning Center, adding roughly $75,808 in change orders to produce the exhibit set commissioners said aligns with evolving education and safety needs.

Brandy Schnell, special projects manager with the Lorain County Solid Waste Management District, told the board the Sustainability Learning Center is connected to the county’s award-winning Collection Center on South Abbey Road and already hosting school groups. \"We have had 400 students come through there so far,\" Schnell said, adding that the change orders were required to complete displays and accommodate audio-visual and safety improvements.

A $50,000 grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency helped offset the added costs; the amended total contract amount is $375,808 and will be paid from the Solid Waste Commissioner's contractual services budget. Schnell said local partners provided donations—Raffland Soils for a compost display and the Association of Ohio Recyclers for AV equipment—which reduced the county’s outlay.

Why it matters: County officials described the center as an education investment to lower recycling contamination and teach reduce/reuse/recycle practices to students. Commissioners said the center and related outreach can improve recycling quality, which affects municipal recycling contracts and community waste costs.

Discussion and context: Commissioners praised partnerships and the center’s role in educating children and residents about correct recycling practices. Schnell said staff are still recruiting donors to add displays and that the center’s pollinator garden is already in use for educational visits.

Action recorded: The board amended the existing contract with Exhibits of Grand Rapids (contract initially entered June 2023) to reflect additional change orders totaling approximately $75,808. Schnell said the center will continue to expand school visits and public programming.","The county approved an amendment to a contract for exhibit design at the Lorain County Sustainability Learning Center, adding $75,808 in change orders to the contract funded in part by an Ohio EPA grant.",{"_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},6242334,"Lorain County approves CHIP project payments amid concerns about single-bid contracts; officials launch contractor outreach",144,1522000,1666000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3247919-6c868e4e531e405d4b5c179e45abd5f7&start=1522&end=1666","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3247919-6c868e4e531e405d4b5c179e45abd5f7/thumbnail_1522000.jpg","/articles/6242334/Lorain-County/Ohio/Lorain-County-approves-CHIP-project-payments-amid-concerns-about-single-bid-contracts-officials-launch-contractor-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242334-09ad18650da3d8ea6c838cf5651a55e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160826&Signature=Danfjv9hkyRNdYaBokbBPSyc1ePl8YL8uIGMyHeEw~c~YFeVn3qqeT6l9CBe3lYXJzVyd4W0HPAZA-osaD5OM5hjbDq9WpkG~k53GR97IWq9YnCTi8F2NlTrcuRZ~V4YwhXN1DFYVHXp191vk8xt3pdhSdutN1yVajRNCd0X0eiYFYMyHmjXBf6XnIvZp-jDqTEl7eInewdYgaDYwpYLp-4lH9cfAPZlv6mEvkloJAiXDsV8FfZCrnogM3~w6bgrs526U-ErUAca9NOm5skyFKxpY1oYcAl5jQJsF4DzWSyXO20-o7LLNVm5Tt2AzsKIGUYwYpa~ItkcqFU3uI5T6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lorain County Board of Commissioners on May 9 approved several payments and a $1.6 million Community Housing Impact and Preservation (CHIP) application, while county staff described an outreach push after multiple projects attracted only a single compliant bid.

County staff said the $1.6 million CHIP application will be submitted to the Ohio Department of Development, and the county authorized procurement help from Kleinfelder for the application process. \"This is just for the application process, itself,\" said Dave, a county staff member addressing commissioners about the Kleinfelder contract and timeline; he said the firm’s $15,000 application work would be reimbursed if the county wins CHIP funding.

The approvals included single-bid construction awards for home-repair projects in Sheffield Lake, North Ridgeville and Lorain: an authorized payment of $46,858 to Jen Mack Construction for work at 824 Irving Park Boulevard (item 13), and multiple awards to Gemma Construction totaling about $92,000 across items 14–15. Commissioners recorded votes approving those actions. Staff said these awards are payable from CHIP accounts and related local rehab accounts.

Why it matters: CHIP funds support repairs for low-income homeowners and are federal/state-funded capital that county officials said must be spent or returned. County leaders voiced concern that single compliant bids limit competition and may raise costs for taxpayers.

Discussion and staff response: Commissioners and staff debated why many walkthroughs did not turn into bids. County staff reported that they sent more than 925 direct emails to contractors and are organizing a contractor outreach event to increase participation; 12 contractors had RSVP'd at the time of the meeting. Staff said barriers include heavy paperwork on federally funded jobs, slow payment concerns and contractors seeing other bidders at pre-bid walkthroughs and declining to compete.

Dave told the board the county is \"doing a very aggressive outreach\" and described outreach tactics including flyers, QR codes at big-box retailers and direct emails. He said the Ohio Department of Development will attend the outreach event to provide on-site lead-remediation certification and training at no cost to contractors.

Rehab specialist Garvin, answering a commissioner’s question about pre-bid cost estimates, said, \"The answer to your question, Commissioner Moore, is yes. So the rehab specialist from Kleinfelder prepares a detailed specification for each job…part of that process is to determine an amount that they expect the project will cost.\" Garvin added that if bids vary widely from expected costs, staff could re-bid.

Directions given: Staff said they will (1) hold a contractor outreach and training session (next Thursday from the time of the meeting), (2) survey bidders who attended walkthroughs but did not submit bids to identify barriers, and (3) work with state partners to speed contractor certification and reduce payment delays where possible.

Formal actions: Commissioners approved the CHIP application submission and multiple contractor payments. Staff said the Kleinfelder application fee will be reimbursed if CHIP funding is awarded; commissioners also approved individual payments to contractors to proceed with homeowner repairs.

What’s next: Staff said they expect to submit the CHIP application before the June 25 deadline and will report back on the outreach event and any change in bid participation.","Commissioners approved multiple CHIP (Community Housing Impact and Preservation) contract payments and a $1.6 million CHIP application submission, while staff outlined outreach and training to address single-bid awards and contractor shortages.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lorain County commissioners approve additional $5 motor vehicle license fee to leverage public works funding

Students win Lorain County billboard contest as county promotes Keep Lorain County Beautiful Day

Lorain County amends contract for Sustainability Learning Center exhibits after change orders; Ohio EPA grant offsets cost

Lorain County approves CHIP project payments amid concerns about single-bid contracts; officials launch contractor outreach