Erie County commissioners approve budget moves, shrink ADAMHS board and appoint airport representative after failed first vote

Erie County Commissioners met in regular session March 12 and approved a package of budget modifications, personnel actions and administrative resolutions, including a measure to reduce the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board from 14 members to nine.

The board, convened by President Shenigo at 9:30 a.m., voted unanimously to authorize the County Auditor to make supplemental appropriations and interfund transfers affecting Human Resources, Facilities, the Prosecuting Attorney’s office, the Board of Elections, Juvenile Detention and other departments. Commissioners Shoffner and Old sponsored multiple motions that passed by roll call with all aye votes.

Why it matters: the budget adjustments and appropriations affect several county operations and contract payments authorized by the board, and the ADAMHS change alters the governance structure for a regional behavioral health board the county participates in.

Among the administrative actions the board adopted were a leasing agreement with De Lage Landen Financial Services (for a Sharp copier for the Prosecutor’s Office), execution of “Then and Now” certifications under O.R.C. 5705.41(d), and declarations of certain county equipment as surplus for internet auction. The board also approved revised auditor certificates authorizing additional payments to vendors providing staffing and services at The Meadows at Osborn Park.

Appointments and votes: Commissioners reappointed members to the Transportation Improvement District (TID) and the Tax Incentive Review Council (TIRC) for one-year terms expiring March 12, 2026. On the Erie-Ottawa International Airport Board joint appointment, an initial motion to reappoint Dick Biro failed on roll call (Mr. Old: No; Mr. Shoffner: No; Mr. Shenigo: No). A subsequent motion to appoint Doug Galloway passed unanimously.

Other approvals included purchase authorization for two Sheriff’s Office vehicles and several personnel action forms across county departments. The board received routine reports, including the February jail meal and turnkey report submitted by Sheriff Sigsworth and the county monthly financial report from the Auditor, and adjourned at 10:00 a.m.

Authorities and formal actions taken at the meeting are listed below in “Votes at a glance.” The board’s minutes show the motions and unanimous roll-call approvals for the budget and administrative items; the ADAMHS board size change passed as Resolution #25-74.

Votes at a glance: the meeting record includes the following formal outcomes recorded by the board.

• Adoption of budget modifications and supplemental appropriations affecting multiple departments — motion by Shoffner, second by Old; Roll Call: All Aye. (SEG 017)

• Interfund transfers between General Operating Fund and Public Assistance/Children Services — motion by Shoffner, second by Old; Roll Call: All Aye. (SEG 017)

• Lease agreement with De Lage Landen Financial Services (Sharp BP-50M45 copier for Prosecutor’s Office) — motion by Shoffner, second by Old; Roll Call: All Aye. (SEG 017)

• Execution of Then and Now certifications under O.R.C. 5705.41(d) and authorization to draw warrants — motion by Shoffner, second by Old; Roll Call: All Aye. (SEG 017)

• Declaration of county equipment surplus and authorization to sell by internet auction — motion by Shoffner, second by Old; Roll Call: All Aye. (SEG 017)

• ADAMHS Board size reduction (from 14 to 9 members) — motion by Shoffner, second by Old; Roll Call: All Aye. (Resolution #25-74) (SEG 017)

• Reappointments to TID and TIRC for one-year terms (expiring March 12, 2026) — motion by Shoffner, second by Old; Roll Call: All Aye. (SEG 010)

• Erie-Ottawa International Airport Board joint appointment — motion to appoint Dick Biro failed (all three commissioners voted No); subsequent motion to appoint Doug Galloway passed (All Aye). (SEG 011–013)

• Disapproval of Common Pleas Court equipment outlay and request form submitted for Judge Tone (approximately $40,721) — board members declined to approve the request. (SEG 014–016)

• Approval of revised auditor certificates authorizing additional payments to VIP Supreme Staffing, Med1Care and Frontline Healthcare Staffing and other vendors for services at The Meadows at Osborn Park. (SEG 017–018)

What happens next: many of the budget and contract actions authorize the Auditor and county departments to carry out purchases, transfers and payments. The ADAMHS board membership change will alter the county’s representation on that board moving forward. The board’s next Blue Ribbon Commission meetings on Coordinated Purchasing and Coordinated Information Technology were announced for March 18 and March 25.

(Reporting based on the Erie County Commissioners March 12, 2025 meeting minutes and roll-call records.)