Commissioners approve routine bills, contracts and project actions; salt, sewer, grants, easements among items passed

The Trumbull County Board of Commissioners on April 23 approved a series of routine and project measures including contracts, appropriations, transfers and multiple authorizations requested by county departments. Major votes included authorizing the county engineer to buy sodium chloride (rock salt) through the Ohio Department of Transportation contract for the 2025–26 winter season, approving several sanitary lateral assistance notices to proceed for Phase 3 of that county program, awarding multiple construction and rehabilitation contracts, and formalizing easements and a consent agreement for phase four of the Western Reserve Greenway Bike Trail.

The commissioners also voted to adopt a resolution supporting renewal of the State Capital Improvement Program (State Issue 2), accepted a tentative collective-bargaining agreement for a sheriff’s unit, and approved a vehicle purchase package for the sheriff’s office. Several smaller appropriations, transfers and bid advertisements were also approved on unanimous votes.

Commissioners voiced limited debate on most items and handled them in a single, consolidated series of motions. Several items were discussed briefly and passed by unanimous roll-call votes from President Rick Hernandez, Mr. Bernard and Mr. Malloy. The board moved most items by motion and second then recorded the yes votes; where recorded, votes were unanimous.

Actions recorded at the meeting included motions to approve meeting minutes and bills; transfers and additional appropriations; authorization for the county engineer to participate in ODOT salt contract 01825; concurrence with the engineer to grant right-of-way permits to private companies; authorization for the clerk to advertise for bids on bridge and pavement-marking projects; multiple temporary road closures for railroad track removal; approval of a state biennial subgrant agreement (G26 27116202) for Job and Family Services and Child Support Enforcement; an amendment to an earlier appropriation for hydrilla mitigation at Mosquito Lake ($300,000); rescission and reauthorization steps with the State Historic Preservation Office and the Planning Commission related to HUD-funded programmatic agreements; award of a $101,000 contract to Alex Restoration & Masonry Repairs for masonry and window work at the Emanuel Community Care Center (CDBG-funded); support for Champion Township’s NatureWorks grant application ($49,426 request with $25,574 local match listed); multiple sanitary lateral notices to proceed (Phase 3) to 2M Services LLC, TK Excavating and Express Underground for a combined total of connections in Yankee Lake Village/Brookfield Township; adoption of a resolution declaring necessity for Pendleton-Gilmer Sanitary Sewer Improvements (County Project 6S22) and setting a public hearing June 4, 2025; acknowledgment of a resignation from the Senior Levy Advisory Council; authorization to use the north Open Market green space on specified July and August dates; and approval to purchase four 2025 Interceptor vehicles and police equipment from Montrose Auto Group and AWDS (total quoted project cost $288,082.88).

The board also voted to acquire two easements from Ohio Edison Co. totaling $63,040 for phase four of the Western Reserve Greenway Bike Trail and authorized President Rick Hernandez to sign related documents, noting 80% reimbursement ($50,432) will be returned to the county. A separate consent agreement with Ohio Edison to permit necessary work within its easement was also approved.

Separately, commissioners entered and returned from executive session for collective-bargaining strategy as permitted under Ohio law, and accepted a tentative bargaining agreement between the county and Ohio Patrolmen Benevolent Association for Unit 5 (clerks, kitchen staff and custodians).

Ending: The board set routine next meeting dates and made several local announcements including a heritage-tree dedication at Warren City Hall at 1 p.m.