The Lorain County Board of Commissioners on March 28 approved a series of motions covering litigation signatory authority, vendor contracts, grant applications, program updates and infrastructure actions. Most measures passed unanimously by recorded voice votes.

Key votes

- Mercy Health litigation: Commissioners authorized the president of the Lorain County Board of Commissioners to execute documents related to Mercy Health Lorain Hospital v. City of Lorain, U.S. District Court (Ohio case 1:24‑cb‑2265). The board said the county is not alleged to have engaged in wrongdoing and is not responsible for settlement payments; a signatory was required. Vote: Commissioner Moore, aye; Commissioner Gallagher, aye; Commissioner McDowell, aye.

- Anthem Vision: The board amended Resolution 25103 (adopted February 2025) to add Anthem Vision to the Lorain County Healthcare Vouchers program. Vote: unanimous (recorded as aye by commissioners present).

- Sanitary sewers accepted: The sanitary engineer accepted sanitary sewers for public use in phases 1 and 2 of the Del Webb Hickory Green Subdivision (Poolett Homes of Ohio LLC, Columbia Township). Vote: unanimous.

- Transit grant authority and Title VI program: The board authorized the county administrator to submit federal grant applications on behalf of Lorain County Transit to the Federal Transit Administration and other agencies for FY26 transportation assistance, and separately authorized filings with the Ohio Department of Transportation for FY26 grants. The board also approved an updated Title VI program (2025–2028) required by the FTA that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin. Vote: unanimous. Transit director Pam (present) said the county may apply for discretionary grants and may reapply for a micro‑transit pilot project awarded earlier in the year.

- Bridge load ratings: The board authorized a consulting services agreement with Euthnistics, Inc. (listed in the agenda) in the amount of $25,290 to perform load‑rating analysis for four federal‑aid bridges in Lorain County (bridges listed in the agenda). The county has 20 federal‑aid eligible structures; 16 have been load‑rated in house. Vote: unanimous.

- Construction administration and inspection contracts: The board approved a $112,352 contract with K.E. McCartney & Associates for construction administration and inspection services on LORCR 503-202 (Elyria/Carlisle project); 80% to be funded by ODOT and OPWC with 20% local match. The board also approved a $49,750 contract with K.E. McCartney & Associates for construction administration on a Safe Routes to School project in Sheffield Township (100% ODOT funded). Vote: unanimous.

- Subdivider agreement: The board approved a subdivider agreement with Lake Murray LLC for Orchard Meadows Subdivision No. 1 in Elyria Township; developer to bear all costs and required assurances. Vote: unanimous.

- Various routine approvals: The board approved routine agenda items including minutes, requisitions, transfers, and bill lists as presented.

Votes and procedure

Most motions carried on unanimous recorded voice votes. Where individual aye votes were recorded in the transcript, the minutes capture Commissioner Moore, Commissioner Gallagher and Commissioner Riddell (and in one case Commissioner McDowell) voting in the affirmative. No roll‑call no votes, abstentions or recusals were recorded for the items listed on the agenda.

The board recorded that the Mercy Health matter is not settled in substance at the time of the meeting; the action taken was to provide a signatory for settlement documents, not to admit liability or authorize payment by the county.

Full list of actions (as recorded on the agenda and approved): authorization to execute settlement documents (Mercy Health), amendment to healthcare voucher resolution (add Anthem Vision), acceptance of sanitary sewers (Del Webb Hickory Green, Poolett Homes), FTA and ODOT grant filings and Title VI program update, consulting agreement for bridge load ratings (Euthnistics, Inc., $25,290), construction administration contracts with K.E. McCartney & Associates ($112,352 and $49,750), subdivider agreement (Lake Murray LLC — Orchard Meadows), and the MEP consulting contract for Lorain County 9‑1‑1 (Bank Associates, Inc., $23,820) among routine agenda approvals.