Columbiana County commissioners authorize applications for state paving funds on CR 400 and CR 440

The Columbiana County Board of Commissioners voted Oct. 8 to authorize County Engineer Bert Dawson to apply to the Ohio Public Works Commission for state capital-improvement funds for two road projects and to execute any resulting contracts.

The unanimous action, adopted as Resolutions #54-2025 and #55-2025, covers the 2026 Columbiana County CR 400 paving project and the CR 440 paving project. Commissioners Ginter and Paparodis moved and seconded the resolutions during an Oct. 8 meeting at the county courthouse in Lisbon; both motions carried with all three commissioners voting in favor.

Why it matters: Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) awards can supply a major share of construction financing for county road projects, and authorizing the engineer to apply and execute contracts is a standard step to seek that funding. County officials said the resolutions permit the engineer to prepare and submit funding applications and sign contracts as required if awards are made.

Details recorded at the meeting show the resolutions were presented for the two county routes named by the engineer and were approved without debate. The board did not specify award amounts, match requirements, or project schedules during the meeting; those elements will be determined through the OPWC application and award process.

The next procedural step is for the County Engineer's office to prepare and file the OPWC applications; if awards are made the board will consider contract approvals and any required matching appropriations at a subsequent meeting.