A Canfield resident asked Mahoning County commissioners on Sept. 4 whether the county holds a lawful contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to house detainees and how revenue from those arrangements is recorded.

Chris Harris told commissioners he had read a recent opinion by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost about county ICE contracts and said the ACLU had filed suit in other counties. "We know that ICE is using our jail. We know that ICE is paying our county to use the jail," Harris said, and he asked for the county's legal standing given the attorney general opinion.

A commissioner responded that county counsel and the prosecutor would work to ensure contracts are lawful and that any necessary amendments would be made. The commissioner said the sheriff could continue to operate pending legal review and directed Harris to the sheriff's office for detailed financial questions.

Harris asked how much revenue the county receives from ICE placements and said he wanted to know the line-item designation for those funds. A county official replied that monies are used to support constitutionally required jail operations, including staffing and 24/7 care, and that the sheriff's office could provide specific financials.

The board did not record a formal vote on the matter during the meeting. Commissioners indicated counsel and the prosecutor would review the legal opinion and work to amend or confirm any intergovernmental agreements as needed. Harris also indicated concern that detainees held without a lawful contract would be held improperly; commissioners said they would address legality with counsel.

No new contract or formal directive was adopted at the meeting; residents were advised to contact the sheriff's office for precise figures on payments and county accounting.