Commissioners discuss jail planning timeline, enter executive session and ratify tentative labor agreement

Lorain County commissioners used part of their Feb. 13 meeting to update the public on multi-year work to plan a replacement jail and to handle a labor matter following executive session.

Commissioners said they have executed planning contracts, are completing construction drawings, bills of material and staffing estimates, and hope to be ready to pursue financing and place shovels in the ground once a funding path is clear. Board members said they disagree with an opinion provided by the prosecutor’s office (details in a written opinion requested by multiple speakers) about the advisory committee process and noted that the advisory committee includes four voting members such as the sheriff, the courts and the clerk of courts; commissioners said the prosecutor does not currently have a seat on that committee and that the committee’s structure is prescribed by statute.

Following public business, a motion to move into executive session to discuss contracts and potential litigation was made, seconded and approved by roll call. After reconvening, commissioners read and approved the front of a resolution ratifying a last, best and final offer to the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America Local 2192 and approving the tentative agreement; the resolution also authorized declaring impasse consistent with the final offer if the union did not ratify.

Next steps: Commissioners said they will continue planning work on the jail project, seek necessary approvals and financing, and follow the labor process identified in the resolution.