Medina County commissioners commend two retiring engineers, approve multiple infrastructure and administrative resolutions

Medina County commissioners on May 20 recognized two long-serving employees from the county engineers office and approved a series of routine resolutions covering road work, wastewater and water-main projects, grants and personnel actions.

The board read resolutions commending Vicki Zawiski for 26 years of service and Dan Wilhight for 32 years, noting Zawiski's career from permit secretary to permit coordinator and Wilhight's roles as a civil engineer and stormwater department director who helped revise county stormwater regulations. Both commendations were adopted unanimously and honorees spoke briefly to thank the board and staff.

County Engineer Andy Conrad presented a resolution "determining the necessity" to close various county roads to allow replacements of covered infrastructure; the board approved that measure. Sanitary Department leadership presented six resolutions authorizing engineering and inspection agreements and a change order for Hinckley wastewater improvements, naming firms including Hazen and Sawyer, Wade Trim, DLZ Corporation and the GPD Group; commissioners approved all six resolutions. Planning staff were authorized to submit a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for program year 2026.

Finance Director Brett Thomas presented six fiscal items, including quarterly transfers, a social services levy transfer, revenue adjustments for surplus sales, an evidence-storage grant acceptance for the sheriff's office (grant amount unclear in the transcript), and weekly bills totaling $963,563.15; the board approved the package.

County Administrator Matt Springer brought four administrative resolutions, including transferring a vehicle from the drug task force to the sheriff's office, renewing a lease with the local Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for space at the human services center for July 1, 2026'June 30, 2027, and two emergency placement agreements for adult protective services; those were approved as presented.

A prosecutor's office representative asked the board to authorize filing for court permission to retain outside counsel to assist the county auditor in responding to an affidavit filed with the Ohio State Auditor; the resolution passed. All motions recorded in open session were approved by roll call with Commissioners Hamley, Harrison and Swedic voting yes.

The meeting closed routine business and moved into department updates and discussion items.