Lorain County commissioners set public hearings on 0.25% sales tax to fund sheriff's office operations

The Lorain County Board of Commissioners voted on June 6 to schedule two public hearings on a proposed one‑quarter of 1 percent increase in the county sales and use tax to provide ongoing funding for the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office.

The hearings were set for June 17 at 4:30 p.m. and June 20 at 10:30 a.m.; the commissioners said the measure would be placed on the Nov. 5, 2025 ballot if they proceed. The board moved to approve the hearings during the regular meeting and recorded unanimous “aye” votes from the commissioners present.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the sheriff’s office has been relying on general‑fund support for operations not covered by an existing jail‑only sales tax, and that shifting a portion of funding to a dedicated sales tax would reduce competition for general‑fund dollars with other county services. Commissioner Gallagher said the quarter‑percent equates to roughly $13 million a year for county operations tied to public safety.

Chief Zach, who oversees the sheriff’s office budget preparation, presented a high‑level forecast and said the department has scrutinized line items and eliminated waste before seeking additional revenue. “This isn’t about politics. It’s about numbers, service delivery, and long term future for countywide safety,” he said, and provided a 2025 total sheriff’s office budget figure of about $30,370,605, with roughly $13,653,178 currently supported by a jail‑dedicated sales tax.

Chief Zach said the sheriff’s office projects a 2026 budget near $32.5 million because of contractual obligations, and that a quarter‑percent tax could generate up to $13 million, easing general‑fund pressure.

Commissioner Moore and other commissioners said they support public hearings and wider community outreach to explain where the money would go and how it would be spent. Commissioners emphasized they plan to present budget projections and specific uses at the hearings so voters can evaluate the proposal.

What was decided: The board approved holding the two required public hearings and directed staff to present details at those hearings. No final decision to place the item on the ballot was made at the meeting beyond scheduling the hearings and initiating the statutorily required public process.

Next steps: The public hearings on June 17 and June 20 will include line‑item projections and additional detail on the sheriff’s proposed uses of revenue. If the commissioners move forward after the hearings, the proposal would appear on the Nov. 5, 2025 ballot.

Sources: Remarks and figures delivered at the June 6, 2025 Lorain County Board of Commissioners meeting by Commissioner Gallagher, Commissioner Moore, and Chief Zach.