ELYRIA – The Lorain County Board of Commissioners opened its January 12 meeting by reorganizing leadership, adopting updated parliamentary procedures and approving changes intended to make public participation clearer and more efficient.
Commissioners voted to appoint David Moore as board president for 2026 and Marty Gallagher as vice president. During the discussion, Moore jokingly reminded Commissioner Jeff Riddell that he missed last year’s organizational meeting but was still elected board president for 2025, a moment that drew brief laughter before the board moved on with the formal reorganization.
The board also adopted the 12th edition of Robert’s Rules of Order as its parliamentary authority for the year. During public comment on Agenda Item 3, Brian Baker, who is running for Lorain County Commissioner against Riddell, urged the board to apply the adopted rules consistently. “Robert’s Rules of Order is very spelled out what you’re supposed to do,” Baker said, “and sometimes I think we don’t follow them as well up here as we should.”
The board approved one small but notable change to its public comment process. Residents will now be asked to include an email address on comment cards so staff can follow up when questions require a response. Commissioners said they often receive public questions during meetings but cannot always reach residents later if no contact information is provided. The change, they explained, is intended to make public comment a two-way process.
Commissioners also approved a new bi-weekly meeting schedule for 2026. Regular meetings will alternate between Tuesday afternoons and Friday mornings. The first meetings under the new structure will take place Tuesday, January 27 at 3:30 p.m. and Friday, January 30 at 9:30 a.m. Public hearing meetings will be held on alternating Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. when needed.
The board said the updated schedule is intended to provide a more predictable meeting rhythm for staff and residents.
The commissioners’ next meeting is set for Friday, January 16 at 9:30 a.m.