Lorain County commissioners voted Oct. 24 to accept sanitary sewers in phases 3 and 4 of the Del Webb Hickory Green subdivision in Columbia Township for public use.

Both items were moved, seconded and approved by recorded vote. The county’s sanitary-engineer item descriptions in the meeting packet identify the actions as acceptance of public sewers for those subdivision phases.

During the public-comment period before the votes, several residents addressed the board with concerns tied to a proposed regional sewer arrangement referred to in the meeting as “61-19.” Gerald Phillips of Avon Lake told commissioners he believed the county plan could disadvantage Avon Lake because of unpaid amounts he described as owed by a local sewer authority and loans taken by Avon Lake through the Ohio Water Development Authority for force mains and other work. Phillips told the board the county would assume cash-flow and operating-capital responsibilities under the agreement and said, “the $61.19 is a bad deal for the city of Avon Lake.”

William Zimmerman, also identified as Avon Lake, raised related concerns about Vermilion’s interest in joining the regional effort and disputed spreadsheet accounting for a $14 million amount he said Lorain-area sewer utilities owe to Avon Lake. Zimmerman said that amount had previously appeared on balance sheets but now was missing and urged the county to ensure those funds are accounted for.

A county official clarified during public comment that the east side of Lorain County is part of the referenced program and the west side is not; commissioners proceeded to accept the sanitary sewers as presented.