Huron County commissioners approve opioid‑settlement participation, road contracts and local bridge payment

Huron County Board of Commissioners members Harry Brady, Tom Dunlap and James R. Morgan unanimously approved a package of routine fiscal and infrastructure actions during their April 14, 2026 regular session, including joining a national opioid remnant settlement and awarding multiple road contracts.

The board adopted a resolution to participate in the Remnant Defendant Settlement Agreement, authorizing Randal L. Strickler, Chief Assistant—Civil Division, Huron County Prosecutor’s Office, to execute required participation documents and releases. The settlement provides monetary allocations to participating political subdivisions under an Exhibit E plan of allocation and will be administered by a Notice and Claims Administrator.

The commissioners also approved several county road projects and procurement actions. The county awarded the 2026 Chip and Seal Phase 2 project to Melway Paving for $233,150 after receiving a competing bid from Erie Blacktop, Inc. The board approved a contract with A.J. Riley, Inc., Norwalk, for the New State Road Asphalt Repair project in the amount of $229,700; the engineer said the work is spot asphalt from North Fairfield to Hasbrock Road and construction is expected to start in late May. County Engineer Lee Tansey noted three townships are participating in the chip‑and‑seal program this year.

Commissioners authorized participation in the Ohio Department of Transportation road salt contract under R.C. 5513.01(B). The participation agreement binds the county to ODOT’s contract terms, requires electronic ordering at awarded delivered bid prices, expects a minimum of 85% of submitted salt quantities to be purchased from the awarded supplier during the contract period, and sets a rescind deadline of May 1 by 5:00 p.m.

The board approved a $175,000 journal transfer within the DD Operating Fund (#110) moving funds into contract services, and approved a permissive tax request from the Village of New London for $72,942.60 for Euclid Road resurfacing despite the County Engineer advising the road did not meet ORC permissive‑tax criteria; commissioners noted their discretionary authority to approve the expenditure.

The board adopted an intergovernmental agreement with Richland County and the Village of Plymouth for replacement of the Baseline Road/Broadway Street Bridge, which is currently closed for structural deficiency, and authorized immediate payment of $105,000 to enable the village to pick up a check that day. The board directed counsel to amend a fund‑allocation clause in the agreement to reflect the county’s preference and recorded the payment as a 75% general fund / 25% engineer’s fund split.

Votes at a glance - Claims Register for Payment Batches #422240 and #421213: approved (3–0). - Appropriation — Board of Elections Primary Grant Fund #161 ($10,000 to Other Expenses): approved (3–0). - Participation — Remnant Defendant Opioid Settlement Agreement: approved (3–0). - Award — 2026 Chip and Seal Phase 2 to Melway Paving ($233,150): approved (3–0). - Contract — New State Road Asphalt Repair to A.J. Riley, Inc. ($229,700): approved (3–0). - Participation — ODOT road salt contract: approved (3–0). - Transfer — DD Operating Fund #110 ($175,000 transfer to Contract Services): approved (3–0). - Permissive tax request — Village of New London ($72,942.60): approved (3–0). - Agreement and payment — Plymouth Baseline/Broadway Bridge; $105,000 local share (75% general fund / 25% engineer): approved (3–0).

Why it matters: The decisions commit county resources and authorize contracts that affect road maintenance, bridge replacement, and how potential opioid settlement funds will be received and administered locally. Participation in the ODOT salt contract and the awarded roadwork contracts shape winter‑road readiness and surface repairs for multiple townships. The Plymouth bridge payment enables a federally supported replacement to proceed more quickly.

Next steps: County counsel will finalize the agreed language changes in the Plymouth bridge agreement; the engineer’s office will coordinate construction timing and contract administration; and the county will proceed with claims submission and documentation required under the opioid settlement agreement.