Lucas County commissioners approve appointments, contracts and policy changes; authorize IEPA compliance steps

The Lucas County Board of Commissioners approved a series of agenda items that included appointments to county boards, a plat approval, contracting actions and personnel‑policy changes at a regular meeting.

Administrator Ford presented the agenda items. The board approved appointments to the Community Corrections Planning Board (28 appointees) and named Dr. Mohammed Alsour to a three‑year term on the Ohio Region 4 Board, with terms commencing March 1, 2025, and ending March 1, 2028. The commissioners also convened the county's annual 9‑1‑1 program review committee as required by Chapter 128 of the Ohio Revised Code; the convening committee was scheduled to meet the next day at 1:30 p.m.

Clerk of Courts’ staff sought permission to advertise for a record storage contract to replace an expiring arrangement; the office said the county currently stores about 35,000 boxes (roughly 42,000 cubic feet) and requested a five‑year contract with a five‑year renewal option. The board approved the request.

County Engineer Kelly Decker asked for approval of the Bridal Creek Plat 5 in Sylvania Township; that plat was approved. The board also authorized the 2025 administrative‑agent agreement with the Lucas County Family and Children First Council; the county will receive an administrative agent fee of $30,000 for the contract year.

The Solid Waste Management District requested an amendment to a purchase for a solid waste truck that will allow the county to obtain a trade‑in value estimated at $20,000 and to amend the purchase price to approximately $450,000; the board approved the amendment. The board also authorized staff to sign the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) director's findings and orders related to the water resource recovery facility, which staff said will establish a timeline and procedures to replace digester covers and to comply with air‑permit requirements that were initially set in 2019 and updated after an April 22 report.

An appropriation resolution from the Office of Management and Budget included two lines: a reduction in an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund appropriation (to manage remaining ARPA expenditures) and an $81,000 appropriation for the coroner lab to cover rent for the first two quarters of the year; the board approved the resolution.

From Employee Benefits, staff requested authorization to apply for and enter into a specific stop‑loss reinsurance policy with Anthem (Community Insurance Company). Presenters said the change involves a significant increase in estimated annual cost—approximately $720,000 in administration and additional claims expense—but characterized it as a cost‑containment measure for future risk management; that authorization was approved.

Human Resources presented a proposed change to the county's leave donation policy, increasing the maximum hours an employee may donate from 80 hours to 480 hours, provided the donor retains a minimum sick‑leave balance of 120 hours after donation. The board approved the amendment.

Finally, the board voted to enter executive session to discuss personnel matters related to appointments and collective bargaining pursuant to Ohio Revised Code sections cited in the agenda; the clerk recorded affirmative roll‑call votes. The public meeting recessed for the executive session after the roll call.

Each item above was approved by recorded roll call; the transcript records affirmative votes from Commissioner Gerken and Commissioner Lopez on the motions called during the meeting.