Kelli F. Bias

The meeting addressed the Final Ditch Hearing for the Sanford Ditch Improvement Project, discussing project scope, funding, ODOT assessment objections, and internal financing options for property owners. The Commissioners also reviewed the Township Infrastructure Program, which allocates funds for local projects, and examined sales tax collection data. The board adopted several resolutions concerning the disposal of surplus equipment, interfund transfers, supplemental appropriations, and leasing agreements. Additionally, the Commissioners processed various personnel actions, including travel requests, recruitment authorizations, and updates to job descriptions, and acknowledged receipt of various administrative reports and letters.

The session included a report on lodging tax receipts, showing an approximate 9 percent year-to-date increase over the prior year, and sales tax revenue collected in February, indicating a nearly 7 percent year-to-date increase for Erie County. Several meetings scheduled for March 2026 were cancelled. A Sanford Ditch Hearing was rescheduled from February 18, 2026, to March 5, 2026. Mark Harrington was reappointed to the Erie County Board of Developmental Disabilities for his final four-year term. Resolutions were adopted authorizing payments for services and supplies, budget modifications for various funds including the sewer fund and general operating fund, and declaring certain county equipment and items as surplus for sale or salvage. The Board also approved an agreement with Ninke Lawn Services, Inc. for maintenance at The Meadows at Osborn Park. Revised Auditor's Certificates were approved for Courtview Justice Solutions Inc., Med1Care, and Transit Safety/Vestige for software maintenance, staffing support, and tracking devices, respectively. A proclamation designating February 11, 2026, as Thomas Edison Day was executed. Personnel actions included a longevity increase for an Administrative Assistant, a retirement for an Archivist/Records Administrator, new employments, resignations, and rate increases for staff at various departments. The Board decided against placing a levy on the tax duplicate for 2025 ditch maintenance assessments. The Commissioners expressed no objection to a liquor license transfer and a new liquor license issuance. The meeting concluded with an executive session to discuss negotiations and bargaining sessions with JFS public employees.

The session began with a presentation acknowledging the retirement of Steven Alt from Job and Family Services after 25 years of service. Following a brief recess for an Investment Board Meeting, the Commissioners adopted several resolutions. These included supporting the Western Reserve Land Conservancy's LAEPP application efforts, authorizing payments for services from Wilkes & Company, Inc. and SRM Concrete, LLC, and approving various budget modifications for the CHIP 2023 Fund and the Erie County sewer and Water District Funds. Resolutions were also adopted to enter into addenda and agreements with Corso's Flower and Garden Center (for lawn care/grounds maintenance and snow/ice removal) and ADS, LLC (for temporary flow metering and sewer master meters projects). Further actions included ratifying an agreement with AFSCME Ohio Council 8, entering into a contract with Cornerstone Risk Solutions, LLC for health insurance consulting, approving rate increases for ECDJFS employees effective March 1, 2026, approving vacation carry-over, authorizing expenses for staff to attend various conferences/training, approving personnel actions for The Meadows at Osborn Park, and expressing no objection to a liquor license transfer.

The meeting featured an update on the Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) Program, which is funded by a federal SAMHSA grant received in October 2024. The AOT program aims to provide consistent, court-ordered treatment to individuals with serious mental illness in the community, showing a significant reduction in hospitalizations and eliminating jail stays for the 12 enrolled individuals. The Board also discussed and indicated support for a resolution concerning the Western Reserve Land Conservancy's application for farmland preservation for the Neill property in Margaretta Township. Additionally, the Commissioners adopted a resolution releasing liens against property owned by NEEMA, LLC for water tap services, executed a Certificate of Retirement for Jacalyn Yost, approved the request for proposals regarding the Erie County JJC HVAC System Improvements, authorized travel expenses, and approved several Personnel Action Forms for various county departments, including The Meadows at Osborn Park and ECDJFS. A request for recruitment for a Home Detention Worker at Juvenile Court was also approved.

The session included a report on February gas tax collections, which showed a 3% increase compared to the previous year, with year-to-date collections up 1.1%. Key actions included awarding bids for Sewer Master Meters and the Temporary Flow Metering Project to ADS, LLC. The Board adopted resolutions to declare certain items surplus, authorize budget modifications across several funds, and confirm an agreement with Townsend Community School for a school resource deputy. Revised Auditor's Certificates were approved for various services, including courier services, snow and ice removal, engineering services for the Landfill expansion, and leasing a copier. Personnel actions noted the retirement of one employee and the resignation of another. The Board also received updates on the Erie County Budget Commission's 2026 Estimated Resources and the 2025 Erie County Municipal Court Annual Report. An Easement Agreement with Perkins Township Trustees concerning a storm water line at the Fairgrounds was also presented for consideration.