Residents tell council they dont trust Lorain County commissioners to allocate new CDBG dollars

Several residents used the public-comment period to voice deep skepticism about Lorain Countys ability to fairly allocate expanded CDBG funds. Stephanie Giacovetti told the committee she had received county emails but questioned the accuracy of commissionersrepresentations and disputed a headline figure circulated by the county.

"I don't feel that that's what's going to happen when you look at their track record," Giacovetti said, citing recent county controversies and saying she had been told the countys allotment would be about $780,000 rather than $3,000,000. Richard Sharpman recommended the council reject the arrangement unless a formula or regional authority protects North Ridgevilles share. "The city council should take control of this city's destiny by voting no... until a better deal is negotiated," he said.

Robert Baumgartner went further, asserting the county commissioners were "subjects of a federal RICO lawsuit" and referencing recent search warrants executed by the sheriffs public-corruption unit; those are allegations he raised in public comment and were not adjudicated at the meeting. No county official was on the record during the committee session to rebut or confirm the investigative matters mentioned, and the assertions remained unresolved in the hearing.

Residents also argued that, even if funds increased, county priorities listed critical infrastructure first and could favor large projects. Multiple speakers said the relationship hinges on trust and called for clearer safeguards if North Ridgeville joins the urban-county program.