Lorain County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Lorain County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Victim Witness Program grant
A state grant of $108,253.18 would fund partial salaries for six victim advocates in the Prosecutor's Office, retroactive to October 1. The county must chip in a $27,062.82 local match.
TANF Clothing and Jacket Programs
The board extended contracts with Tower Educational Consulting Group and El Centro de Servicios Sociales through December to provide winter clothing, shoes, and jackets for TANF-eligible children.
Public Health Subgrants for Adult and Family Services
The commissioners approved subgrants with Lorain County Public Health for adult protective services and the Planet Safety Care program supporting families affected by substance abuse.
Parliamentary Procedure and Governance
Commissioners discussed reviving past proposals to expand the board from three members to a seven-district system to provide more localized representation.
Riverside Trail Subdivision No. 2
Developers are moving forward with Riverside Trail Subdivision No. 2 in Columbia Township after submitting required financial and engineering guarantees.
Tick-Borne Diseases and Public Health Surveillance
The health department gave an update on rising tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis, highlighting new tick tracking websites and tick check stations in county metro parks that recently helped save a resident's life.
County Recycling and Environmental Programs
Solid Waste officials highlighted successful community recycling efforts, including a plastic bag recycling contest where schools collected over 2,250 pounds of bags, and announced a new FirstEnergy tree-planting program.
Housing Rehabilitation Grant and Change Order
Commissioners debated a $9,900 change order for a porch repair project at 623 East Avenue in Elyria. Concerns were raised about administrative delays and vetting processes involving project consultants.
Lawsuit Settlement
Lorain County is paying out $6.35 million to settle a civil rights lawsuit after a local inmate was left partially paralyzed while in custody. Since this money comes straight from county funds, it's a huge hit that could end up affecting taxpayers down the line.
Curtice Ditch, Penfield Township
The Commissioners held a public hearing on the Curtice Ditch in Penfield Township, a drainage matter typically involving maintenance and potential assessments on properties in the ditch's watershed. No record of the hearing or any determination was available.
National Foster Care Month Proclamation
The board recognized May as Foster Care Month, celebrating local foster parents and highlighting the ongoing need for families to care for children entering the system due to abuse and neglect.
Del Webb Hickory Greens Sanitary Sewer Infrastructure
The county entered into sanitary sewer agreements with Pulte Homes for phases 5 and 6 of the Del Webb Hickory Greens subdivision in Columbia Township, raising questions from residents about western county sewer integration and maintenance.