Votes at a glance: Trumbull County commissioners approve routine permits, bonds and contracts; authorize settlement signature

The Board of Trumbull County Commissioners approved a slate of routine agenda items during its Jan. 15 meeting, including minutes, vendor payments, permits, maintenance bonds, awards of small construction contracts and membership dues. The board also authorized its president to sign a comprehensive settlement agreement for case number 2023CV00029 following an executive session.

Key votes (motions carried by roll call unless noted):

- Item 1: Dispense with reading and approve workshop minutes (Jan. 7, 2025) and regular meeting minutes (Jan. 8, 2025). Outcome: approved. - Item 2: Dispense with reading and approve special meeting minutes (Jan. 13, 2025). Outcome: approved. - Item 3: Approve bills. Outcome: approved. - Item 4: Approve extension to purchase dog license tags through Friday, Feb. 28, 2025 per ORC 955.01a1. Outcome: approved. - Item 5 & 6: Amend Transportation Improvement District (TID) appointments and replace former engineer Randy Smith with current county engineer David DeCristofero. Outcome: approved. - Item 7: Acknowledge and authorize advertising for sealed bids for aggregate materials (contract period Feb. 11, 2025–Feb. 10, 2026). Outcome: approved. - Item 8: Remove and reject previously tabled agenda items as a matter of course. Outcome: approved. - Items 9–10: Concur with county engineer on right‑of‑way permits (JS Bova Excavating; Enbridge Gas Ohio) and special hauling permits (JROT Transportation Services Inc.). Outcome: approved. - Item 11: Authorize payment of NEORide membership dues ($1,000) and designate Mike Salomoni as county representative. Outcome: approved. - Item 12: Authorize clerk to sign ODOT authorizing resolution for grant application 20265310 (contingent on president review). Outcome: approved (contingent signatory review noted). - Items 13–15: Accept maintenance bonds for HSTS and community development projects (bonds and project totals stated in agenda). Outcome: approved. - Item 16: Award contract for Howland Scope Center Improvements to DeSalvo Construction Co. Inc., base + alternate M1, $219,100. Outcome: approved. - Item 17: Authorize sanitary engineer to issue notice to proceed to Utility Contracting Inc. for Bezzetta Mecca Wastewater Treatment Plant Nutrient Reduction Improvements (project 8‑s‑20), start Jan. 27, 2025; substantial completion Oct. 24, 2025 (270 days). Outcome: approved. - Item 18: Accept partial substantial completion for Yankee Lake Sanitary Sewer Improvements project 5‑s‑18. Outcome: approved. - Item 19: Approve agreement with Matthews Local School District to use the high school cafeteria for a public hearing Jan. 23, 2025 (required by CORSA). Outcome: approved. - Item 20: Designate AECOM, GPD Group, Mannix Smith Group, Michael Baker International, MS Consultants Inc. and Thrasher Group Inc. as pre‑qualified design firms pursuant to ORC 153.68. Outcome: approved. - Item 21: Approve service contract 776‑25‑50 with Guardianship and Protective Services Inc. for Title XX protective services, $58/hr, not to exceed $33,000, effective Oct. 1, 2024–Sept. 30, 2025. Outcome: approved. - Item 22: Authorize execution of subgrant 2024 r ROETFR574 for TAG Law Enforcement Task Force ($50,000 from Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services). Outcome: approved. - Item 23: Adopt resolution requesting state revisit property tax policy. Outcome: approved (see separate article). - Item 24, 29 and others: The board convened and reconvened multiple executive sessions under ORC 121.22(g)(3) and (g)(1) (attorney conferences and employee matters). Outcomes: executive sessions held per statute. - Item 26: Authorize President Rick Hernandez to sign comprehensive settlement agreement and release of all claims regarding case 2023CV00029. Outcome: approved following executive session. - Item 33: Approve disability separation of maintenance repair worker Michelle Kiskaden and payout of accrued vacation per AFSCME Local 2493 Article 21.6. Outcome: approved. - Item 34: Notify Ohio Department of Liquor Control that a public hearing is not requested for three liquor permit applications (Giant Eagle Liberty Township and two Dollar General locations in Howland Township). Outcome: approved.

Most items on the agenda carried unanimously on roll call with Commissioners Barnard, Denny Malloy and President Rick Hernandez recorded as voting yes on routine motions. Where the record included additional conditions (for example, Item 12’s contingency that the president review the authorizing resolution prior to submission), staff noted those conditions in the journal for submission.