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Commissioners asked to cover short, upfront local share for Phase 4 bike‑trail property acquisitions; staff warn of federal payback risk if county declines
Summary
Project staff asked commissioners to authorize local matching payments for two outstanding property acquisitions tied to Phase 4 of the county bike trail; the county would be reimbursed about 80% by federal funds but must advance the local share up front or risk returning previously spent federal dollars if the project stalls.
Trumbull County officials asked commissioners to authorize local matching payments to cover the county’s 20% share for two outstanding right‑of‑way acquisitions tied to Phase 4 of the regional bike trail. Project staff said the work is largely funded by federal grants but requires the county to pay acquisition costs up front and then receive reimbursement of roughly 80%.
Why it matters: Staff said most project funding was committed over prior years and that the county is in the final phase of a long‑running trail program. They cautioned that failing to complete the acquisitions could trigger federal clawback of previously spent federal funds used on the project, a repayment the county could not absorb without a funding source.
Costs and funding: Staff provided two highlighted acquisition amounts in the meeting packet: roughly $41,800 and $21,024 (rounded in discussion). Under the federal reimbursement model, the county would advance the 20% local share for those parcels (approximately $12,000–$27,000 per parcel as discussed) and then be reimbursed the larger federal share within 30–60 days. Staff said the project also has other committed funds including a $500,000 Clean Ohio Trail Fund award and $325,000 in state capital appropriations; earlier journal actions committed some local match toward the project.
Background and context: County and engineering staff noted the bike trail project traces back decades and has been advanced through prior commission actions; Phase 4 would complete a significant segment and connect to a larger statewide trail network. Commissioners and staff discussed identifying an available fund to advance the local share so acquisitions can proceed and the construction phase remain on schedule.
What was said: "All of these funds for this project were committed by journal action years ago," one county official said, and later: "If we can't support it... it would be a huge waste of public time and money." Project staff asked commissioners to identify a funding source and to authorize putting the acquisition items on a future agenda with the exact amounts and fund numbers.
Ending: County staff will supply a consolidated total for all outstanding Phase 4 costs and identify recommended funds for the local matches so the board can consider placing the items on the next agenda.
