Tuesday, October 21, 2025: Regular Meeting
The Lorain County Board of Commissioners (Jeff Riddell, David J. Moore and Marty Gallagher) approved the weekly slate of appropriations, transfers and requisitions. The board also appointed Thomas Becker to the Keep Lorain County Beautiful board and accepted the 2026 tax rates submitted by the County Budget Commission. A $1 million Title IV-E sub-grant agreement for juvenile court services was also approved, with the meeting recessed ahead of a later drainage-hearing session.
Tuesday, October 21, 2025: Drainage Hearing: Unnamed Tributary of Wellington Creek, Penfield Township
In a public hearing held at 4:30 p.m., county officials presented a project to restore an unnamed tributary of Wellington Creek in Penfield Township. The plan covers roughly 5,000 feet of drainage way, removal of sediment, installation of larger tile and clearing of about five acres of land. Testimony included comments from resident Margaret Horvett regarding chronic flooding of her property, and Penfield Township Trustee Rick Conrad, who endorsed the project. The board voted unanimously to add the project to the county’s general drainage plan. No special assessments will be levied on property owners; funding is drawn from the county storm-water district. Construction is slated to begin this winter with bidding expected within two weeks.
Friday, October 24, 2025: Regular Meeting
At the meeting, the board approved home-repair contracts through the Community Housing Impact & Preservation (CHIP) and Local Set-Aside programs. Job & Family Services presented several non-emergency medical-transportation contracts: Americab Transportation ($750,000), Charak Center for Health and Wellness ($450,000), Lorain County Transit ($450,000) and D & D Rides ($250,000). The Child Support Enforcement Agency’s new phone-system contract was approved, with projected savings of around $130,000 in the first year. Public comment included concern about the county’s mental-health-services levy and other fiscal priorities; no new levy was approved. County Administrator Jeff Armbruster reported the receipt of a $25,000 planning grant for transit expansion and noted the possibility of a $750,000 state aviation grant to offset recent airport roof work. Finally, Community Development staff noted the mailing of 2,700 postcards and 700 emails to regional contractors as part of outreach for CHIP and lead-abatement projects.
Next meetings:
- October 28 – Land Bank Meeting (10 a.m.)
- October 28 – Investment Advisory Committee (11 a.m.)
- October 28 – Storm-Water District Meeting (4:30 p.m.)