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Stark County commissioners approve multimillion-dollar road appropriations, several contracts and appointments; enter executive session
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Summary
At their March 18 meeting, the Stark County Board of Commissioners approved 2026 capital appropriations including $1.14M (OPWC) and $4.36M (ODOT), a $250,251 discretionary requisition to The Ohio State University, multiple contracts for family court services and a SaaS agreement; they later entered executive session to discuss pending litigation.
The Stark County Board of Commissioners met March 18, 2026, and approved a slate of appropriations, transfers, contracts and appointments before adjourning at 2:07 p.m. Commissioner Richard Regula, president of the board, called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. and noted the public could listen by teleconference.
Kris Miller of Finance presented capital appropriations to establish balances for 2026 projects, including $1,136,245.85 in Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) funds and $4,359,849.22 in Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) project funds. The board approved the appropriations on a 3-0 vote (Commissioners Regula, Smith and Harold). Miller also presented budget transfers, county obligations and intergovernmental journal entries — including a $41,165.00 reimbursement for CDBG/HOME administration and a $34,785.51 Family Court reimbursement to the sheriff — all of which the board approved unanimously.
The board approved a resolution declaring 21 computer monitors surplus and authorizing sale on GovDeals, and approved a requisition for $250,251.00 in discretionary appropriations to The Ohio State University. Non-encumbered expense items passed included a $430 payment for an Adult Probation vehicle fee, a $1,311 facilities alarm inspection by S.A. Comunale and a $15.89 charge for Probate Court supplies.
Multiple travel requests for county staff were approved, covering conferences and trainings for coroner, EMA, IT, Job & Family Services and veterans staff.
Engineer Jennifer Odey presented and the board approved acceptance of work by Northstar Asphalt, Inc. in the amount of $29,968.00 on the H-3-2024 Hot Mix Asphalt Resurfacing Project and authorized release of the project retainage. Odey also presented and the board approved a Local Public Agency (LPA) agreement with the State of Ohio, Department of Transportation for the Whipple Avenue and 4th Street project (PID 118837). The Sanitary Engineer presented a resolution to sell accumulated scrap metal under $5,000, which the board approved.
Regional Planning recommended acceptance of streets and public improvements for The Farms of Enclave No. 1 Allotment in Lake Township; the board approved release of the performance bond and acceptance of a maintenance bond. Commissioners approved an MOU with the Stark Soil & Water Conservation District to coordinate responses to drainage inquiries.
On behalf of Family Court the board approved agreements with Cornell Abraxas Group, LLC and with Keystone Richland Center, LLC dba Foundations for Living to provide custody and protective services for delinquent children; the Keystone agreement is effective April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027. The board also accepted the Stark County Sheriff's Office Motorcycle Ohio FY2027 grant and reappointed County Administrator Brant Luther to the Stark County Transportation Improvement District Board for a two-year term retroactive to March 1, 2026.
Commissioners approved a Software-as-a-Service agreement with OpenGov, Inc., procured through Vertosoft, LLC, for the OpenGov Permitting and Licensing System.
A public commenter, Nancy Bloom of Canton, raised concerns about road conditions in Canton during the public comment period.
Late in the meeting, the board voted to move into executive session to discuss pending litigation pursuant to Ohio Revised Code §121.22(G)(3) with assistant prosecutors; Commissioners Harold, Smith and Regula voted yes on the roll call. The board reconvened and adjourned at 2:07 p.m. The clerk filed the minutes as part of the official record.
Votes at a glance
• Agenda amendments — Moved by Commissioner Harold, seconded by Commissioner Smith; Passed 3-0. • Approve minutes (March 11, 2026) — Moved by Commissioner Harold, seconded by Commissioner Smith; Passed 3-0. • OPWC appropriation $1,136,245.85 and ODOT appropriation $4,359,849.22 — Moved by Commissioner Harold, seconded by Commissioner Smith; Passed 3-0. • Budget transfers (Adult Probation $2,500.00; Sheriff $11,603.42) — Passed 3-0. • County obligations journal entries (RPC invoices) — Passed 3-0. • Intergovernmental journal entries (CDBG/HOME $41,165.00; Family Court to Sheriff $34,785.51; others) — Passed 3-0. • IT excess property (21 monitors) — Passed 3-0. • Requisition: OSU discretionary appropriation $250,251.00 — Passed 3-0. • Non-encumbered expenses (multiple line items) — Passed 3-0. • Travel approvals (multiple staff requests) — Passed 3-0. • Accept Northstar Asphalt work $29,968.00 (H-3-2024) — Passed 3-0. • Approve ODOT LPA agreement (Whipple Ave & 4th St, PID 118837) — Passed 3-0. • Sanitary Engineer scrap metal disposal (<$5,000) — Passed 3-0. • Accept subdivision improvements (The Farms of Enclave No. 1, Lake Township) — Passed 3-0. • MOU with Stark Soil & Water Conservation District — Passed 3-0. • Family Court agreements with Cornell Abraxas and Keystone/Foundations for Living (April 1, 2026–March 31, 2027) — Passed 3-0. • Accept Stark County Sheriff's Office Motorcycle Ohio FY2027 grant — Passed 3-0. • Reappoint Brant Luther to Stark County TID Board (retroactive March 1, 2026–Feb 28, 2028) — Passed 3-0. • Approve OpenGov SaaS agreement — Passed 3-0. • Enter executive session pursuant to Ohio Revised Code §121.22(G)(3) to discuss pending litigation — Passed (roll call Yes: Harold, Smith, Regula).
Next steps: the commissioners listed upcoming work sessions and hearings, including a Jackson Township road vacation hearing March 25 and a regular meeting March 25; remote listening information was provided in the clerk's notice.