Trumbull County jail officials warn of failing plumbing and boilers; commissioners order specs for bids

Dave (David) Bobby, identified in the transcript as the county jail administrator, told the Trumbull County Board of Commissioners that persistent plumbing failures, a leaking roof and repeated boiler malfunctions are straining operations and creating safety and legal risks for staff and incarcerated people.

"I respectfully request that the county prioritize a plan for substantial repair, replacement, or modernization of these critical system[s]," Bobby said, reading a letter that described toilets that will not flush, loss of drinking water in cells and a boiler that malfunctioned multiple times over a holiday weekend.

The officials’ discussion with facilities staff laid out the scope and next steps. Bobby said 12 cells currently must remain unlocked because plumbing or drinking water is nonfunctional, reducing available housing in an already overcrowded jail. Facilities director Daryl Dunnigan reported recent roof assessments and work from contractors but said snow and seasonal conditions complicate immediate repairs. Dunnigan also said he has vendors and preliminary engineering input but that a full procurement package was not yet ready.

Prosecutor’s office representative Bill Danso cautioned commissioners about procurement law and timelines, noting the bidding threshold and statutory competitive process could affect how quickly large systems can be replaced. "The bidding threshold is gonna go up at the beginning of the year," Danso said, and urged that full bid specifications and a sealed-bid process will be necessary for major systems.

Commissioners directed facilities staff to assemble engineering specifications and technical bid documents "so we can get that advertised" quickly; one commissioner asked Dunnigan to have the material ready immediately so the county can begin advertising for bids. The board also discussed potential funding sources, including state grants and other dedicated funds, and asked the prosecutor’s office to review procurement steps.

Next steps recorded in the transcript: facilities staff will prepare a specification and bid package for heating system replacement and a plumbing assessment; commissioners will explore funding options and follow the statutory bidding process for any work that exceeds competitive thresholds.

The transcript shows no formal vote on a capital appropriation at the meeting; the board’s recorded action was to direct staff to prepare specifications and pursue the bid process.