Stark County commissioners approve routine budget moves, bids and contracts; reject AFSCME fact‑finding report

The Stark County Board of Commissioners on May 20 unanimously approved a package of routine financial and administrative actions, including budget transfers, intergovernmental journal entries, multiple procurement awards and contract amendments, and a resolution rejecting a recent fact‑finding report involving the county engineer and AFSCME Local 2198.

Finance staff presented transfers and journal entries that included a Motor Vehicle & Gas Tax capital‑to‑debt transfer of $2,810.72, two SCOG share payments ($34,765.63 for April and $52,038.26 for May) and intergovernmental payments that listed large 2026 principal and interest items (for example, $1,549,131 for the 2018 SC Communications System Bond Series and Midtown Building). The commissioners also approved reimbursements and interdepartmental charges including a sheriff reimbursement of $24,913.99 and an EMA‑to‑Sheriff 911 contract for $132,612.50. All motions carried on 3–0 votes (Commissioners Regula, Smith and Harold).

The board awarded procurement resolutions for road materials — Bid No. 2997 (limestone & gravel) and Bid No. 2999 (asphalt concrete) — and approved bid specifications for the H‑4‑2026 micro surfacing project. It approved requisitions including OPWC semi‑annual loan payments totaling $173,424.66 and a $100,000 payment for Job & Family Services’ Summer Youth 2026 program. The commissioners authorized routine travel requests, including employee attendance at regional meetings and the NACVSO 2026 training conference.

On administrative matters, the board approved several Job & Family Services items: an advertising agreement for fraud prevention (not to exceed $900), a memorandum of understanding with Lighthouse Family Center, a contract extension with Canton Data Print, LLC for mail processing, and an MOU related to Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health on behalf of the Children’s Network of Stark County. The board also approved Change Order No. 1 with Orion Construction for disaster repairs to the Stark County Developmental Disabilities building and authorized a reimbursement request under the Local Jail Capital Project Grant Agreement with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

Votes at a glance: • Approve minutes (May 13, 2026): motion by Commissioner Harold; seconded by Commissioner Smith; passed 3–0. • Budget transfers and county obligations journal entries (various): passed 3–0. Key listed amounts included $1,549,131 and $512,139 for bond payments, and SCOG shares of $34,765.63 and $52,038.26. • Award Bid No. 2997 (limestone & gravel) and Bid No. 2999 (asphalt concrete): passed 3–0. • Requisitions: OPWC loan payments $173,424.66; JFS Summer Youth $100,000; passed 3–0. • Travel approvals for multiple employees, including NACVSO training: passed 3–0. • Human Resources: resolution rejecting the fact‑finding report between the Stark County Engineer and AFSCME Local 2198: passed 3–0. • Drainlayers' license approvals and correction of scrivener's error: passed 3–0. • FY2027 Youth Services Grant submission; reappointment of Diane Wilson to the Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Board; preliminary TIF financing term sheet for Lake Township public improvements; withdrawal of prior objection to an Ohio Division of Liquor Control permit application: each item passed 3–0.

Why it matters: the actions finalize routine budget and procurement steps needed to keep county operations and capital projects moving, authorize grant applications and reimbursements that affect county capital and youth services funding, and resolve a labor‑related administrative action by rejecting a fact‑finding report referenced during the public comment period.

The board announced its upcoming schedule, including no work session on May 26 and a canceled meeting May 27; the meeting adjourned following the approvals.