Mayor says Lorain County grant moves wastewater consortium planning forward; EPA extension remains in place

Mayor Fortover told council that Lorain County has received state funding that will allow the county to commit to a wastewater consortium and begin planning work; he said the county notified him that it received a substantial award earlier that day. The mayor said the county amount will make Vermilion one of the largest beneficiaries and that the city continues its own planning work: the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has granted the city an extension on its wastewater plant compliance schedule, and the consultant CDM Smith is continuing city planning under the revised compliance approval. The revised plant plan is due by the end of the year, the mayor said. Council members asked about the dollar figure reported; there was an exchange on the record over whether the number was $76 million or $67 million. The mayor initially said $76,000,000; another council member referenced $67 million and the mayor later acknowledged a variant figure in the discussion. No formal council action was taken; the mayor characterized the funding as sufficient for the county to commit to consortium planning and signaled future conversations between the county and city about potential cooperation.