Trumbull County commissioners approve routine contracts, bids and appointments; dispatch extension set for Warren

The Trumbull County Board of Commissioners approved routine agenda items ranging from minutes and bills to contracts, bid solicitations and appointments during the public meeting. Most items passed on unanimous votes with limited discussion.

Key approvals included authorization for Auditor Yoder to sign an Ohio Edison customer work approval and to expend up to $24,549.40 to run single-phase primary power to the Marx Tower (county water/radio/cell tower). The board approved the Workforce Development Board recertification submission and required conflict-of-interest forms and authorized multiple solicitations and contract awards requested by the County Engineer for asphalt concrete, asphalt emulsion and bituminous materials for the 04/01/2025–03/31/2026 contract period.

The commissioners concurred with the County Engineer to advertise bids for local bridge replacement projects funded by a local bridge replacement grant through the County Engineers Association of Ohio, including the Green Number 19 Bridge on York Street in Green Township and the Lordstown Number 19 Bridge on Hewitt Gifford Road in Lordstown. The board also approved special-hauling and fleet permits for several commercial carriers as requested by the engineer.

The board approved a non-reimbursable sanitary sewer extension agreement under Ohio Revised Code Section 307.73 (Perkins Jones Road sanitary sewer extension, project 2-S-24 subject to prosecutor approval) and amended prior agenda items to correct American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) memorandum of understanding amounts for the Still Wagon Road Water Improvements Project (corrected line items: $140,972.81 and $225,972.81; total ARPA obligation remains $475,972.81).

The commissioners amended sources of payment for two countywide Phase 2 sanitary lateral assistance program contracts: a bid award to MJD Excavating, Inc. in the amount of $89,650 (seven qualified ARPA households) and a contract with Express Underground Inc. in the amount of $43,036.45 (five qualified ARPA households).

The board removed previously tabled items to appoint three county residents to the Trumbull County Tax Incentive Review Council for terms 02/01/2025–01/31/2026; the roster includes Commissioner Denny Malloy and two named residents, Mark Phillips and Antonio de Tomaso. Per RFP 2024-2001 for countywide on-demand transportation for disabled residents and those 60 and older, the commissioners awarded contracts (03/01/2025–02/29/2028 with a one-year extension) to Garwin, Inc.; Merkin and Associates, Inc., doing business as Comfort Caravan; All American USA Taxi; Sunset Transportation; and Country Neighbor Program Inc.

The board authorized Rick Hernandez, president of the Board of Commissioners, to execute Ohio Department of Transportation certification and assurances (Office of Transportation Standard 2023–2025) and approved a one-year extension of the Warren dispatch service agreement (Trumbull County 9-1-1 center serving the city of Warren) for $631,839.56 per year, payable in quarterly installments of $157,959.89, effective 01/01/2025–12/31/2025.

Most motions were recorded as “motion to approve” with second and a roll-call style affirmation (Mister Bernard, Mister Malloy, Mister Hernandez) recorded by the clerk; roll calls were unanimous where votes are reported as “Yes.” Several items prompted brief discussion about due diligence for transportation contracting; a public speaker representing a transportation vendor thanked the commissioners for pausing and reviewing the awards before finalizing contracts. The meeting also included two executive sessions called under Ohio Revised Code 121.22(g)(3).