By Aaron Knapp, Staff Writer
ELYRIA — The Lorain County Board of Commissioners addressed a range of topics at their regular meeting on Friday, March 28, 2025, with a significant focus on a critical issue concerning the Lorain County 911 HVAC system. The meeting also covered public communication, infrastructure projects, and transit initiatives.
Public Communication and Infrastructure
During a discussion regarding requisitions, Commissioner David Moore emphasized the importance of the county newsletter for informing residents. He stated its broad reach and value in disseminating information on services like VIA and property tax deadlines. Commissioners Riddell and Gallagher supported this, noting collaborative efforts with other county offices.
The board then approved the acceptance of sanitary sewers in the Del Webb Hickory Greens Subdivision. This action progresses infrastructure projects funded by recent bond anticipation notes.
Transit and Grant Applications
Director Pam of Lorain County Transit presented plans for federal and state grant applications. Commissioner Moore praised the VIA program’s success in fostering regional cooperation.
Critical 911 Cooling System
A major focus of the meeting was the Lorain County 911 HVAC system. Commissioner Riddell reported recent cooling outages in the equipment room. This room houses essential servers for emergency communications. He explained the risk of equipment malfunction due to overheating and the absence of a backup air conditioning system. Rob Burner from the 911 center detailed an incident with rapidly rising server room temperatures. To address this, the board approved a $23,820 contract for consulting engineering services to assess and design a backup HVAC system for the Lorain County 9-1-1 center. This aims to secure the reliability of this vital Lorain County Emergency Services Infrastructure.
Other Business
County Engineer Sean briefly mentioned the importance of the upcoming Issue Two vote for funding local infrastructure. The newly appointed County Prosecutor made a brief appearance. The commissioners concluded by announcing upcoming public hearings before adjourning.
(Link to the meeting recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjnk6CW72XI)