Trumbull County commissioners approve multiple financing resolutions, appointments and routine business; authorize participation in Value Drug settlement
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Summary
The Trumbull County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved several resolutions authorizing note sales for sewer, water and bond-retirement purposes, appointed two members to the county mental health board, authorized participation in a Value Drug settlement and heard public comments about avian flu and potholes.
The Trumbull County Board of Commissioners met and approved a slate of routine and financial items, including three resolutions authorizing the issuance of notes in anticipation of general obligation bonds and two appointments to the county Mental Health and Recovery Board.
Clerk-presented motions that passed unanimously included: issuing notes not to exceed $1,250,000 for sanitary sewer improvements, notes not to exceed $800,000 for water system improvements, and notes not to exceed $6,584,000 to retire outstanding 2025 bond anticipation notes and cover issuance costs. Commissioners also approved routine bills, membership dues, contracts and procurement-related advertisements.
The board authorized payment of $305.05 for county administrators association dues and $550 for a Youngstown‑Warren Regional Chamber business membership, approved a $48,500 professional services agreement with Smolin Engineering LTD for the Newton Falls covered bridge enhancement project, and updated the county purchasing narrative to reflect Munis financial software.
On litigation, commissioners authorized Commissioner Rick Hernandez to execute participation and release forms allowing Trumbull County to join a confidential settlement agreement with Value Drug dated Jan. 26, 2026, related to the National Prescription Opiate Litigation (MDL No. 2804). Commissioner Hernandez said he has contacted Napoli Law Firm and is awaiting a callback from attorney Shana Sachs and that he does not yet have the settlement amounts; he said he will inform the board when more information is available.
Public comment included a health advisory from a guest who warned of an avian influenza outbreak affecting birds in the region and urged residents to avoid handling dead birds, notify the health department or the Ohio Division of Wildlife if they find groups of dead birds, and sanitize feeders. The board also heard a briefing from Gary Shaffer of the county engineer's office on pothole response: “We have 457 miles of county roadway out there,” Shaffer said, and he asked residents to report potholes so crews can be dispatched.
Appointments approved included Charisse Patterson and Ronald Sejganak to the Trumbull County Mental Health and Recovery Board for four‑year terms beginning Feb. 19, 2026 and ending June 30, 2029. The board authorized advertising a public hearing for the 2026 Community Development Block Grant program set for March 3 at 5 p.m. at the Trumbull County Board of Developmental Disabilities building, 45 North Road in Niles.
The meeting concluded after the commissioners approved advertising for bids and letters of interest on several infrastructure projects, including resurfacing township roads and rehabilitation of the West Market Street (Warren City No. 3) bridge.
Votes at a glance: the transcript records the roll call votes for each motion; where tallies are recorded the three commissioners (Mister Malloy, Rick Hernandez, and Tony Bernard) voted ‘Yes’ on the listed items and no ‘No’ votes or abstentions were recorded in the meeting minutes presented.
