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Trumbull County commissioners approve annexation filing, adjust hydrant-meter rates and rebid ARPA-funded library steps
Summary
At its Jan. 14 meeting the Trumbull County Board of Commissioners adopted an expedited annexation filing for a school expansion, set a new hydrant-meter rate schedule that includes a half-price agricultural rate, and authorized rebidding an ARPA-funded Law Library steps project after high initial bids.
The Trumbull County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 14 adopted a resolution entering a petition to annex 1.193 acres in Liberty Township into the City of Youngstown for school-district alignment, established a new hydrant-meter rate schedule with a subsidized agricultural rate, and agreed to rebid a high-cost ARPA-funded Law Library steps project.
During discussion of the annexation petition filed Jan. 7, counsel for the petitioners explained the filing is an expedited Type 2 annexation under Sections 709.021 and 709.023 of the Ohio Revised Code and said the change is intended to put a school extension under the Youngstown school district while the property itself remains in Liberty Township and continues to pay property tax to Liberty. The board read the petition and adopted the journal entry. The petition was filed by Martha Bochee, Esquire, as agent for the petitioners.
Commissioners also approved a rate schedule for the Trumbull County Sanitary Engineers’ hydrant meters to reflect replacement costs and to take effect Feb. 1, 2026. During debate commissioners described a compromise giving farmers half-price meter rates for agricultural use to ease costs for roughly 1,100 working farms in the county; the board approved the change.
On the Law Library monumental steps at 120 High Street in Warren, the board authorized advertising for competitive sealed bids under American Rescue Plan Act procurement guidance after commissioners expressed concern that an earlier single bid was substantially higher than expectations (one commissioner referenced a prior bid of about $400,000 for seven steps). The board said it would rebid in hopes of more reasonable pricing and noted they are pursuing grants and state/federal funds to address county maintenance needs.
Other routine but binding actions taken included accepting video recordings as the official minutes for recent meetings; authorizing $1,500 in annual dues to the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition; authorizing advertisement for aggregate-materials bids for the county engineer’s use in 2026–27; adjusting county permit and special hauling permit fees; extending the Barclay Messerly Road closure through May 15, 2026; granting special hauling and right-of-way permits to the companies listed in the record; approving several contract drawings and change orders subject to regulatory approval; and approving personnel actions, appointments and the resignation of a facility supervisor.
The board entered executive session under ORC 121.22(G)(4) to prepare for negotiations with public employees and reconvened to approve a union-ratified collective bargaining agreement between the county and OPBA representing bargaining employees in the 911 department. The meeting concluded with unanimous votes on the items on the agenda.
Votes at a glance: the recorded votes shown in the meeting transcript indicate Commissioners Malloy, Hernandez and Bernard voted in favor on the motions and approvals called during the session.
The board scheduled a workshop for Jan. 21 at 10:30 a.m. and the next regular commissioners meeting for Jan. 22 at 10:30 a.m.
