Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Regulatory Access topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners debate ODNR access to inspect well on county property; board to consult prosecutor
Summary
The board discussed a letter from ODNR asserting statutory authority to inspect a well on county property. Commissioners disputed whether the county should grant gate access and agreed to consult the prosecutor’s office for legal guidance.
During public discussion the Board of Trumbull County Commissioners addressed a letter from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources regarding access to a well on county property in Brookfield. Speaker 1 read the ODNR letter into the record, noting the agency’s statutory authority “to enter upon lands, public or private, for the purpose of administration or enforcement of the rules, laws adopted, and orders made there unto or conditions for permits and registrations.”
The exchange grew contentious. A commissioner (Speaker 5) said she had sent follow-up questions to ODNR and had not received answers, argued the area is private property and said the board should not simply allow agency access through county gates. Speaker 5 asserted she had asked ODNR for specific information twice and expected a response.
Other commissioners cautioned for cooperation given ODNR’s stated authority and raised public-safety considerations. Speaker 2 suggested involving the county prosecutor to review statutory authority and prior journal actions; Speaker 1 said the board should avoid a legal confrontation with the state and asked colleagues to allow ODNR access to safeguard public safety. No formal change in access policy was adopted at the meeting; the board agreed to seek advice from the prosecutor’s office before taking further operational steps.
Next steps recorded in the meeting included consulting county legal counsel and documenting any required permits or instructions for ODNR inspections. Speakers emphasized both public-safety responsibilities and the need for legal clarity about access to county property.
