Stark County commissioners approve package of appropriations, contracts and appointments

The Stark County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously June 3 to approve a broad set of appropriations, budget transfers, contracts and appointments, and later moved into executive session to discuss pending litigation.

The board approved appropriations including $40,000 to reimburse emergency cleanup expenses, $25,000 for legal counsel in Common Pleas Court and several large Treasurer fund appropriations (DTAC Fund $598,026.92; Forfeited Land Sale Residue Fund $771,202.21; Unclaimed Money Fund $300,000). Commissioners also approved budget transfers that moved $9,000 to the Record Center and small intra-departmental transfers in the Sheriff’s budget.

Kris Miller of the finance office presented the items. Commissioner Alan Harold made the motions throughout the consent docket; Commissioner Bill Smith seconded, and Commissioner Richard Regula voted with them. Motion records show unanimous votes on all listed items.

The board awarded the Stark County Engineer’s H-3-2026 Hot Mix Asphalt Resurfacing Project to Northstar Asphalt, Inc. of North Canton for $3,269,823.33. The board also approved a professional services agreement for right-of-way acquisition on the STA–State St./Cleveland Ave. roundabout project (PID 117499) and authorized installation of “No Engine Brake” signs in Marlboro Township.

Sanitary Engineer items included a Drainlayers’ License for 2 Cousins Construction and Excavating, LLC (effective June 3, 2026, through March 1, 2027) and Change Order No. 1 with S.E.T. Inc. for Collection System Repairs Phase II. Regional Planning approved performance bonds for the Sparwood Farms No. 3 allotment, seven two-year fair-housing tester agreements for investigative testing and Change Order No. 5 for the Village of Brewster Hillview Mobile Home Park sanitary sewer project.

On personnel and administration matters, the board approved a revised table of organization for the Building Department; ratified a collective bargaining agreement between the Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities and the Stark County Educators and Professional Trainers Association (SCEPTA); and reenrolled in the County Commissioners Association of Ohio Workers’ Compensation Group Retrospective Rating Program for 2027.

Other approvals included a 60-month lease for Toshiba copiers and HP printers for the Treasurer’s office, authorization of a new procurement card user for the Sheriff’s Office (Beverly Lazar) with a $20,000 monthly limit pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 301.29, and authorization to use Catalis Court Payments as a secondary payment processor. The board also approved a Contribution-In-Aid-of-Construction Agreement and a non-exclusive right-of-way and easement with the Ohio Power Company (AEP).

Commissioners appointed Mark Brink to the Stark County Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Board and approved a joint application and terms of engagement to retain specialized outside legal counsel (Isaac, Wiles, Burkholder & Miller, LLC) in pending litigation.

The board recorded that it would not request hearings regarding a transfer or new liquor license for Puckers Canton LLC (Puckers Sports Pub & Grille) in Plain Township and for Dolgen Midwest LLC (Dollar General) in Tuscarawas Township; both items were handled on the consent docket.

The meeting concluded with a unanimous roll-call vote to enter executive session at 2:07 p.m. under O.R.C. 121.22(G)(3) to discuss pending litigation; the board reconvened at 2:44 p.m. and adjourned at 2:44 p.m.

Votes at a glance: all recorded motions in the minutes show a 3–0 vote in favor (Commissioners Regula, Smith and Harold).