Medina County commissioners approve finance, personnel and loan measures; set special meeting on wastewater upgrades

The Medina County Board of Commissioners approved a slate of routine resolutions on Nov. 18, including personnel changes, finance actions, two revolving-loan approvals and a one-year contract extension for household hazardous waste services.

The board voted unanimously on procedural items including approval of the Nov. 18 minutes and multiple personnel actions brought by the human resources office. Holly Murren summarized the personnel package as five rate increases across departments, a date-effective correction in Sanitary, two leaves of absence and one maintenance resignation; commissioners approved the measure by roll call.

Finance director Brett Thomas presented eight finance resolutions that commissioners approved as a package. Thomas described appropriations amendments, transfers and expenditure adjustments tied to general operations and a first-floor capital improvement; he also described a combined Victim Assistance FY26 grant totaling $53,886.29 with a local match of $9,737.25 and an ISA (International Strategic Analysis) proposal for a $7,000 demographic study for Medina County. "This grant is for the total, total spend of $53,886.29," Thomas said during his overview.

County Administrator Matt Springer brought two administrative resolutions: a one-year extension with ERG for the household hazardous waste recycling program and fee schedule increases for the Medina County building department set to take effect Jan. 1, 2026. Commissioners said the fee changes had been considered during two public hearings prior to the vote.

Shannon Ryan of Niagara Public Transit asked the board to approve the 2026 Medina County public safety plan, a requirement of the FTA and ODOT. Ryan said ridership rose and the agency maintained strong efficiency metrics, noting zero trip denials; she also briefed the board on a proposed per-mile increase for agency contracts and delivery of four buses expected in March–April 2026. The board approved the plan on roll call.

Debbie Kiley, representing Job & Family Services, presented three social-services resolutions: a TANF emergency-services subaward to support the Next Step Up Shelter in partnership with Medina Metropolitan Housing Authority; authority naming the JFS director as the board's designee to request and sign intercounty adjustment agreements on behalf of Medina County; and renewal of foster-family software services. "The county is now made whole," Kiley said when reporting that staff manually pushed benefits for about 20 SNAP recipients affected by the recent federal shutdown.

Economic development director Brandon Gibson asked the board to approve two revolving-loan fund applications and loans that require a state top-up because the local RLF balance is insufficient. Gibson described a $250,000 loan over 10 years to Suin Corporation d/b/a House of Unian for interior renovations and a $500,000 loan over 15 years to Yassu LLC (Great Oaks Tavern in Wadsworth) for expansion and patio installation. "We don't have $750,000 in the revolving loan fund right now," Gibson said, explaining the need to request state funds to make both loans.

All of the resolutions presented during the meeting were approved by roll call (three affirmative votes recorded each time). The board motioned to enter executive session to consider the appointment of a public official and said it would adjourn from executive session and reconvene at 11:00 a.m. for a non-broadcast special meeting to discuss planned upgrades to the Chippewa wastewater treatment facility.

What’s next: The board scheduled further consideration of governance changes proposed by regional partners and will hold the 11:00 special meeting on the Chippewa project as stated during the meeting.