Huron County commissioners authorize bids for three road projects, approve EMA consulting contract and memberships

The Huron County Board of Commissioners met Jan. 20, 2026, and unanimously approved a slate of administrative and infrastructure actions, including authorization to solicit bids for three county road projects, a small consulting contract for the county Emergency Management Agency, a membership payment and the adoption of an interagency memorandum on child abuse and neglect.

Commissioner James R. Morgan moved to certify the county claims schedule and Then-and-Now payments for payment batches #417227 and #416464 to the Huron County Auditor; Commissioner Harry Brady seconded the resolution and the roll call vote recorded all ayes. The board then approved resolutions to advertise and let bids for the 2026 Chip and Seal Phase 1, the Sand Hill Road Bridge Replacement and the Hartland Center Road Culvert Replacement. Each bid opening is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 6, 2026 (Chip and Seal at 9:00 a.m., Sand Hill Bridge at 9:05 a.m., Hartland Center culvert at 9:10 a.m.). Bid documents require a $20 nonrefundable fee (check only) with an optional $10 shipping charge; bidders must furnish bond security under Ohio Rev. Code §153.54 and comply with prevailing wage rules. Advertisement language published by the county states, “The owner intends and requires that this project be completed no later than” the project-specific dates (Aug. 28, Sept. 4 and Oct. 30, 2026, respectively).

The board approved an independent contractor agreement with consultant Michael Frey to support the Huron County EMA and the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). The scope includes input of 2026 Tier II reports, review and update of hazard-analysis maps and delivery of completed EMA data. The contract totals $1,544 and is due to be completed by Sept. 30, 2026; the contract is on file with the county.

Also on the agenda, the board approved a $500 membership for Huron County in the Erie Basin RC&D Council. The board adopted a county Memorandum of Understanding regarding child abuse and neglect presented by Lenora Minor, director of the Huron County Department of Job and Family Services; the MOU was developed under Ohio Rev. Code §2151.4221 and Ohio Administrative Code 5101:2-33-26 and is on file.

Administrative items approved included travel for Veterans Office staff (James Hager, Thomas Price and Mindy Soisson-Calhoun) and a Satisfaction of Lien for Barbara Vanderpool. Commissioner James R. Morgan also moved that the Wakeman Fire District and the Wakeman Township Board of Trustees be asked to grant an easement to install a fiber-optic cable for EMA/9-1-1; the motion was approved by roll call.

The board recessed into executive session at 9:16 a.m. under ORC 121.22(G)(1) for personnel matters and ORC 121.22(G)(4) for labor negotiations; the session concluded at 12:05 p.m., and the clerk recorded that no action was taken as a result of the executive session. Before adjourning at 12:06 p.m., Commissioner Tom Dunlap asked when the board would discuss hiring a lobbyist; Commissioner Brady said he wanted a week to review candidates.

All motions recorded during the session show James R. Morgan as the primary mover and Harry Brady as the most frequent seconder; the roll-call tallies reported the three members present — Harry Brady, Tom Dunlap and James R. Morgan — voting unanimously in favor of the recorded resolutions. Copies of bid documents, the EMA contract and the adopted MOU are on file with the county clerk.