The Lorain County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 21 approved a package of routine financial measures, certified tax rates and levies for 2026, accepted a $1,000,000 Title IV‑E subgrant for the Domestic Relations Court and approved a five‑year IT support contract for the engineer’s office.

The board voted unanimously on the items during a meeting that began with the pledge of allegiance and included a short administrators’ report and a recess into executive session for personnel and legal matters. Commissioners recessed for executive session and later reconvened and adjourned.

The most consequential financial action was the board’s acceptance of the amounts and rates “as determined by the budget commission” and authorization of necessary tax levies and certification to the auditor for 2026. County staff member Casey summarized the item as the formal presentation of the calculations for rates to be set for the 2026 tax year and said the document reflects prior board decisions, including an adjustment to inside millage and a previously approved change affecting owner‑occupied credit and the TB clinic levy. “So these are the... the rates that will be set for the upcoming tax year,” Casey said.

The board accepted a subgrant agreement between the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Lorain County Domestic Relations Court for Title IV‑E federal financial participation. The agreement, recorded in the meeting as DCYG 26 27 0 2 56, is retroactive to July 1, 2025, runs through June 30, 2027, and totals $1,000,000. The county recorded that reimbursable funds will be deposited into the Domestic Relations IV‑E fund.

The engineer’s office presented and the board approved a five‑year contract with a vendor identified in the agenda as “decks” for IT support, computer equipment and copier service at $4,630.45 per month. The county said the contract will be paid from the MVGT equipment lease account and the MVGT professional services account.

The board also appointed Thomas Becker to the Keep Lorain County Beautiful board to fill the unexpired term of Dr. Ruby Beal; the agenda lists Becker’s term as effective Oct. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2026. The appointment was approved unanimously.

Administrators noted the county has engaged a transit consultant identified in the record as Kirk (Kurt) Conrad to review transit operations and contracts after the retirement of Pam Novak; administrators reported that Conrad began work and was meeting with staff and ODOT. Commissioners set a ditch hearing for an unnamed tributary to Wellington Creek at 4:30 p.m. on the meeting day and voted to recess into executive session to discuss personnel and pending litigation.

Votes at a glance (routine approvals taken by the board during the meeting): investments (approved, 3‑0), appropriations (approved, 3‑0), transfers (approved, 3‑0), advances/repayments (approved, 3‑0), work positions (approved, 3‑0), pages 1–2 requisitions (approved, 3‑0), travel (approved, 3‑0), bills (approved pages 1–4, 3‑0), waiver of board correspondence reading (approved, 3‑0), and approval of the Oct. 10 meeting minutes (approved, 3‑0).

No members of the public spoke during the meeting’s public comment period.

The board recessed to executive session to discuss a personnel matter and a legal matter and later reconvened and adjourned.