Mahoning County presents partnership agreement, asks council to continue county administration of housing grant

Phil Poirier, identified to the council by the chair, presented the partnership agreement and a financial summary for the county-led housing grant in which Mahoning County, Campbell and Struthers participate.

Poirier said the jurisdictions have a shared application for the next grant cycle and summarized prior spending in Struthers: "we spent $183,935 on rehab in your area," and he described repair-program spending and soft costs such as lead inspections, risk assessments, mold testing and staff mileage. He said the local program balance will be affected by prior spending and that, without program income, the local program balance would be reduced.

Poirier said his organization would like to continue as the program administrator and noted the county has an upcoming audit in early May (four days after Memorial Day) that will review prior grants and could affect eligibility for the 2026 round. He framed the county's role as implementing funds, finding homes, managing bids and distributing project money.

Council members acknowledged the program's value to residents who rely on it; one councilor said the city does not currently have the staff capacity to administer the program in-house. Poirier said the county has been a consistent partner and that the program tries to stretch dollars by layering lead-remediation or other services when possible.

No formal vote was recorded on retaining county administration during this meeting. Poirier asked council members to review the partnership agreement and sign if they are willing to continue the county as administrator.