PAINESVILLE, Ohio — The Lake County Board of Commissioners voted on a package of infrastructure, workforce and finance measures during its regular meeting, approving plans to advertise construction bids, renewing workforce service contracts and authorizing several large payments and purchase orders.

The board approved resolutions to advertise bids for the LAK Manchester Road bridge replacement (PID 117744, LCE project 2022-008) and for the Aquarius raw water pump station traveling screens replacement (project 470W2023) with an estimated project cost of $1,685,000. The utilities department also won approval to proceed with plans and tentative assessments for the North Ridge sanitary sewer extension in Madison Township.

The board approved workforce-related contracts and agreements administered by the Lake County Department of Job and Family Services (JFS). The commissioners authorized execution of service contracts with multiple providers for program year 2025, renewal of the memorandum of understanding for participation in the OhioMeansJobs (OMJ) Lake County service delivery system under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) for July 1, 2025–June 30, 2027, and a subgrant agreement designating JFS as the OMJ Lake comprehensive career center 1-Stop operator.

Job and Family Services staff summarized the items on the agenda as renewals and the continuation of long-running partnerships. JFS staff member Joel said, “these next few resolutions are all kinda discussing our partnership with job and family services and how we provide workforce services, for Lake County,” and told commissioners the workforce board had approved the recommendations earlier in the week.

On finance matters, the board approved JFS vouchers dated June 20, 2025, totaling $623,493.17; countywide payments listed on the commissioners’ approval journal totaling $1,857,652.10; purchase orders totaling $822,111.13; and several appropriation transfers. The board also approved a discrete payment to CT Consultants Inc. for $11,289.13; one commissioner recorded an abstention on that vote.

Votes at a glance:
- Resolution to advertise bids for LAK Manchester Road bridge replacement (PID 117744, LCE 2022-008): approved; roll call recorded as: Commissioner Plecnik — Yes; Commissioner Beveridge — Aye; Commissioner Rekovich — Yes.
- North Ridge sanitary sewer extension (Madison Township) — approval of plans/specs/assessments: approved; same roll call.
- Aquarius Raw Water Pump Station traveling screens replacement (project 470W2023), estimated $1,685,000 — approved; same roll call.
- Resolution confirming revised special assessments for Kirtland Old Town Sanitary Sewer Project — approved (see separate article for discussion and funding details).
- JFS service contracts with Catholic Charities, GuideStone Ohio, Harbor Vocational Services, United Labor Agency — approved.
- Renewal of memorandum of understanding for OMJ Lake County under WIOA (07/01/2025–06/30/2027) — approved.
- Subgrant agreement designating JFS as 1-Stop operator — approved.
- Lake County Department of Job and Family Services vouchers (06/20/2025) $623,493.17 — approved.
- Countywide final 9-1-1 plan for Lake County (NextGen 9-1-1) — approved (see separate article for debate).
- Payments from commissioners’ approval journal $1,857,652.10 — approved.
- Payment to CT Consultants Inc. $11,289.13 — approved; one abstention recorded.
- Purchase orders $822,111.13 — approved.

Why it matters: The measures clear the way for near-term procurement for road and water infrastructure, reaffirm local workforce service delivery under federal WIOA rules, and allocate county payments and procurement that affect county operations and local vendors.

Context and funding: Commissioners and staff said multiple funding sources reduced costs on various projects. For the Kirtland sewer project the utilities staff and commissioners cited outside grant funds (Ohio Public Works, U.S. EPA), ARPA funds and community development programs (CDBG, health department assistance) as contributors to reducing household assessment amounts (see the Kirtland Old Town Sanitary Sewer article for detail).

Next steps: The board adjourned to a scheduled workshop to follow. Several approved projects now move to the bid and procurement phase with advertised bid openings listed in the resolutions (for example, a July 16 or July 23, 2025 bid opening date was noted in project documents).