The Lorain County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a batch of housing rehabilitation and lead‑remediation contracts, awarded infrastructure contracts for sewer and stormwater work, and authorized a roof replacement at the Lorain County Regional Airport, while commissioners and members of the public discussed the county's emergency radio system and related legal matters.

The most immediate actions were a series of community development contract awards under the federal HOME/CHIP and Lead Safe Ohio (LSO) programs. The board approved multiple single‑project contracts to local contractors for home repairs and lead abatement, including window and door replacements, gutters, porch and siding work, asbestos removal and HUD cleaning. Department staff told the board the projects come from program year 2023 funding and include contingencies for unforeseen change orders. Commissioners and staff said many projects drew few bids despite outreach and that additional contractor engagement events are planned.

Why it matters: the CHIP and LSO awards fund repairs for low‑ and moderate‑income homeowners, protect housing stock and direct federal and state dollars into local construction work. Staff said the Lead Safe Ohio grant was reinstated earlier this year after a funding gap and that many awards are being processed quickly because of the program's compressed completion timeline.

Key supporting details

- County staff said the Lead Safe Ohio window reopened earlier in 2025 and produced a large increase in applicants; the county must complete many projects by February 2026.
- Multiple items listed 39 contractors invited to bid; in many cases only one or a small number submitted responsive bids. Staff said they will continue contractor outreach in October and January and survey invited vendors to learn why they did not bid.
- The board noted the economic-development effect of moving $1.5–$2 million program rounds through local contractors, and that some winning bidders are local and minority/female‑owned businesses.

Other major approvals

- Sanitary sewer: The board awarded a $729,631 contract to FreshCo Excavating (Medina) for the Janelle Drive sanitary sewer extension in Columbia Township. The work includes roughly 1,560 linear feet of 8‑inch sewer, 1,200 feet of force main, a sanitary pump station and laterals, with a completion deadline of June 2026. Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District will reimburse the county up to 50% of project costs (up to $366,850) upon completion; the sanitary engineer's project account will fund the work until reimbursement.

- Stormwater: The board awarded a $244,388.10 contract for the Laurel Road ditch restoration to Marks Construction (Valley City). The total includes a contingency for unforeseen site conditions; the project will be paid from the stormwater account.

- Airport: The board awarded a $962,960 contract to 5 KS Commercial Roofing LLC (LaGrange) to replace the main hangar roof at Lorain County Regional Airport. The contract includes the base bid plus one alternate; the notice to proceed is on or before Sept. 1, 2025, with 300 calendar days to complete. Commissioners discussed funding and whether the airport has sufficient capital or would need to advance funds that could later be reimbursed by grants.

- Developmental disabilities lease: The board approved an amendment with Quest Inc. (Ohio) to expand leased space for Lorain County Developmental Disabilities to 13,740 square feet (areas C, D, E, G and H and adjoining restrooms and hallways). The contract rate specified is $6,011.25 per month and includes a 90‑day cancellation clause; the amendment is retroactive to Aug. 1, 2025 and runs through June 2026.

Public comment and county discussion

A county resident raised safety questions about radio coverage and tower beacons near Brownhelm Township and asked who would pay for radio equipment changes. Commissioners responded that the county intends to be operational on the state's MARCS/Marks system and that coverage will be maintained; they said the county provided ARPA and state funds for a countywide infrastructure project intended to enable multiple radio manufacturers to interoperate on the county system. Commissioners also addressed past litigation and a rescinded single‑vendor purchase, saying the board's recent actions were intended to build an interoperable infrastructure and that some litigation has been dismissed or moved to federal court.

Board process and next steps

Commissioners discussed continuing contractor outreach to increase bidder participation on housing projects, monitoring project inspections and using program funds fully before federal deadlines. The board recessed into an executive session on confidential legal matters during the meeting and reconvened before adjourning.

Votes at a glance: (each item was moved, seconded and approved at the meeting unless noted)
- Resolutions: investments; appropriations; transfers; routine payments and travel — approved by the board.
- Community development/CHIP & Lead Safe Ohio contract awards (program year 2023) — multiple single‑project contracts approved (items listed to the clerk). Staff repeatedly reported that 39 contractors were invited on many projects, with one to five responsive bids per project.
- Sanitary: Janelle Drive sanitary sewer extension — $729,631 to FreshCo Excavating; Northeast Ohio Sewer District to reimburse up to 50% (up to $366,850) upon completion — approved.
- Stormwater: Laurel Road ditch restoration — $244,388.10 to Marks Construction — approved.
- Airport: Lorain County Regional Airport main hangar roof replacement — $962,960 to 5 KS Commercial Roofing LLC (base bid + alternate 1); notice to proceed on or before Sept. 1, 2025; 300 days to complete — approved.
- Developmental disabilities: lease amendment with Quest Inc. to expand space to 13,740 sq. ft.; $6,011.25/month — approved.

What the record shows

The board repeatedly emphasized the county's role as infrastructure provider and the goal of an interoperable public‑safety radio network that allows individual agencies to keep preferred radios while using shared county infrastructure. County staff committed to more contractor outreach and to tracking program expenditures and deadlines so federal and state funds can be fully spent and, where eligible, reimbursed to county accounts.

The meeting concluded after the reconvened session following the executive session.