Lorain County amends Ohio Edison purchase order by $400,000 as utility costs climb

The Lorain County Board of Commissioners approved an amendment to the county's purchase order with Ohio Edison, adding $400,000 to cover higher electricity costs projected through the remainder of the year.

County staff explained the increase during the meeting. “This is money. It's already budgeted for in our utilities account, but we're just adding these additional funds specifically to the Ohio Edison purchase order to try basically to get us through the remainder of the year for these specific invoices,” said Casey (title not specified in the transcript), who addressed commissioners about the utilities budget.

County staff said electricity rates are trending well above last year; at the same time last year the county had spent about $100,000 less on electricity. The county described its normal practice as conservative in encumbering funds on purchase orders early in the year so as not to lock funds that might be needed elsewhere.

The commissioners approved the amendment by unanimous vote.

Why it matters: The amendment reflects higher utility costs hitting county operations and shows county budgeting practice of using encumbrances to manage year-long utility spending.