Lorain County holds public hearing on proposed 0.25% sales tax to fund sheriff's operations

Lorain County commissioners held a public hearing this week on a proposed quarter-percent increase in the county sales tax that would be dedicated to supporting criminal justice services and Lorain County Sheriff's Office operations.

The hearing, opened with a statutory notice and read into the record, centered on the sheriff's presentation of organizational changes, budget pressures and planned programs that the office says the new revenue would support. "We have done a significant change in the organization of the Lorain County Sheriff's Office," the sheriff said, describing a restructured command and new majors overseeing patrol, major crimes, special operations and community outreach.

Why it matters: County officials said the quarter-percent tax would restore revenue lost in 2020 and replace one-time federal ARPA funds that helped balance recent budgets. Commissioner Moore said voters would be able to approve or reject the proposal on the ballot and argued that dedicating the revenue to law enforcement makes the measure more palatable to voters.

Key details from the sheriff and his chief: The sheriff described moving supervisory ranks and adding majors to bolster road patrol presence; he recounted a resident report of two deputies arriving during an in-progress break-in. The sheriff said the county's intelligence and drug task force has increased cases since January and reported more than 2,000 pounds of drugs seized since slides were prepared.

Chief Zach (sheriff's office leadership) presented the office's budget comparison and forecast. He said the combined 2025 budget for the jail and sheriff's office was $31,232,398 and that the 2026 forecast was about $35,500,000, driven by personnel costs, leases and equipment. He identified several specific cost pressures:

- Jail medication: a 2025 line item of $500,000 was proving insufficient; monthly costs reached about $87,000–$88,000 before the office switched vendors to state-bid pricing and expects to reduce costs by roughly 40 percent compared with the expired contract with CorrectRx.

- Bulletproof vests: 67 vests are due for replacement in 2026 at an estimated $2,500–$3,000 each.

- Staffing and medical compliance: the office hired registered nurses for jail medical coverage (estimated cost about $500,000) to meet liability and staffing requirements; a 3% contractual raise is built into next year's forecast.

- Prisoner transport: the sheriff and chief proposed a dedicated, armed prisoner transport team. Chief Zach said the transport team would cost about $1,570,000 but would immediately reduce other annual costs by an estimated $750,000 by lowering overtime, medical and housing expenses associated with holding inmates who belong to other jurisdictions.

The sheriff emphasized recruitment and retention gains since January: he reported about 200 applicants for corrections/civil/court positions, roughly 73 deputy applications (including 40 lateral transfers), and said the office aimed to recruit candidates likely to build long careers in Lorain County.

Public comment and commissioners' remarks: A resident, Patricia Bork of North Ridgeville, said she supports the sheriff's office and urged better public education about the measure. Commissioner Moore described the county losing a prior quarter-percent sales tax in 2020, noted ARPA funds temporarily replaced some revenue and said the dedicated sales tax would avoid placing another burden solely on property owners. Commissioners said they plan another hearing and outreach before the July deadline to place the measure on the November ballot.

Formal action: The board made and seconded a motion to close the hearing; the record shows aye votes from Merdau, Moore and Gallagher. No final action to place the measure on the ballot was taken at this hearing.

What remains unresolved: The proposal’s ultimate path depends on whether the commissioners formally certify a tax levy for the ballot and on voter approval. Several budget figures remain forecasts; commissioners said they will present a line-item budget in July to support public education ahead of the vote.

Ending: Commissioners scheduled a second public hearing for Friday at 10:30 a.m. and asked the sheriff’s office and county staff to prepare itemized budget materials for further public review.