Mahoning County adopts cybersecurity plan; commissioners approve package of agreements, appointments and funding allocations

The Mahoning County Board of Commissioners on Thursday adopted a countywide cybersecurity plan and, by unanimous roll call, approved a package of vendor agreements, change orders and resolutions that included personnel appointments and targeted funding allocations.

The cybersecurity-plan resolution, introduced by Mr. Mills (county staff), was presented as implementing requirements tied to Revised Code 9.64 and recent passage of House Bill 96: “This is a resolution to adopt the Mahoning County cybersecurity plan, which has to do with, new, high revised code 9.64 in house bill 96 that was passed recently,” Mr. Mills said. The commissioners approved the resolution as part of their resolutions a–g.

Why it matters: the county described the plan as responsive to recent state-level requirements; adopting a written cybersecurity plan positions county departments to meet those obligations and to pursue coordinated protections across county systems.

What the board approved: the board handled several consent and routine items in one vote. Major items included:

- Vendor agreements reported by the engineer for vehicle repairs: Hill International Trucks for $13,082.83, Southeastern Equipment for $2,295.18 and Jack Dehaney Companies for $6,489.33 (all described as non-general funds). Sanitary operations reported an agreement with Precision Odor to install an odor-control system at Five Points Pump Station for approximately $12,338 (non-general). Change orders included a facilities change order with Waste Management Inc. for $991.44.

- Resolutions a–g, passed by roll call, that included: relocating the board's Nov. 13 meeting to Jackson Township Administration Building (10613 Mahoning Avenue, North Jackson) at 10 a.m.; appointment of Maria Knight as clerk of the board effective Nov. 3, 2025; appointment of Jamal Lloyd as deputy clerk; adoption of the county cybersecurity plan; an MOU with Devotion Township and the county engineer to allocate $180,512 in quarter-percent sales-tax road/infrastructure dollars; and direction of $120,000 in opioid settlement funds to the Western Reserve Port Authority.

- Personnel matters: the board acknowledged Nancy Lavoie's retirement after 36 years and welcomed Maria Knight and Jamal Lloyd to their respective roles.

Votes at a glance: a single roll-call vote approved minutes and bills, agreements a–e, change orders and resolutions a–g. The roll calls recorded the affirmative votes of Commissioner DeFavio, Commissioner Remedio Reghetti and Commissioner Trapani; each listed item was approved.

What the board did not do: the chair announced there would be no public comment time at this meeting.

Next steps and context: the chair noted a public hearing that same evening regarding a five-year extension of the quarter-percent sales tax for roads and reminded the public of the board's Nov. 13 meeting at the Jackson Township Administrative Building.

Ending: the board adjourned after confirming the next meeting and offering brief announcements about upcoming events and community resources.