Lorain County holds hearing on quarter‑percent sales tax to fund sheriff operations

Lorain County commissioners held a public hearing on a proposal to increase the county sales tax by one quarter of 1 percentage point to support criminal and administrative justice services and operations of the Lorain County Sheriff's Office.

The measure would return the county sales tax to 6.75% and county officials estimated roughly $13.7 million in annual revenue; if commissioners decide to place the measure on the ballot, voters would decide whether to approve the increase.

Sheriff, Lorain County Sheriff's Office, described organizational changes made since January and said the department has reorganized ranks and reassigned personnel to increase road patrol presence. "For the first time, my stuff actually remained in my custody and in my shed in my yard," the sheriff quoted a resident who saw deputies respond rapidly in Eaton Township, using the anecdote to illustrate increased patrol activity.

Chief Zack, Lorain County Sheriff's Office, gave the commission a line‑item view of staffing and operating costs and said the office projects the combined 2026 sheriff-and-jail budget at about $35.5 million, up from a 2025 total of $31,232,398. He told commissioners that the proposed quarter‑percent levy would create a dedicated revenue stream earmarked for sheriff operations. "We're talking about a quarter percent tax increase. And what does that... cost the end user on a $100? It's a quarter," Chief Zack said.

County staff described several cost pressures the office is citing to justify the request: a need to hire jail medical staff to meet liability and staffing requirements (including registered nurses on all shifts), sharply higher jail pharmacy costs after a lapsed contract, a planned prisoner transport team intended to reduce overtime and outside-housing expenses, and the replacement or leasing cycle for vehicles and bulletproof vests. Theresa, county staff member, said the jail medication contract had been costing “about 40% more than the state bid prices” before moving to a state‑contracted provider, and that without the change the medication line could have approached nearly $1 million for the year.

Chief Zack outlined specifics: recent recruitment yielded roughly 200 applicants for the corrections and court division and 73 applicants for deputy sheriff positions, 40 of which were lateral transfers from other agencies; the office said it is selecting for long‑term fits as well as experienced laterals. He also said task forces have increased investigative activity since January, noting more drug seizures and additional criminal cases; materials presented to the commission state that task‑force grant revenue had fallen from roughly $390,000 to under $150,000 and that the office is seeking to restore previous grant levels.

Public comment at the hearing voiced both support and concern. Philip Benko of Elyria, a 75‑year‑old resident, said seniors living on fixed incomes feel even small increases: "A quarter may not be a lot of money, but it is to a bunch of us in our senior years," Benko said. Gerald Phillips of Avon Lake said he would support the measure if funds are dedicated as promised and fiscal staff remain responsible; he calculated the personal effect: "If I have $10,000 a year in taxable sales, it's gonna cost me $25 a year," Phillips said.

Commissioners said the county previously used American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for some sheriff office needs and that the proposal would restore the county to the revenue footing it had before ARPA spending ended. Commissioners and staff emphasized that the board itself will not levy the tax; the hearing record will inform a later decision on whether to place the proposal before voters. The commission said it has identified budget areas to cut regardless of the election outcome and is reviewing departmental requests.

No formal vote was taken at the public hearing; commissioners will decide later whether to place the quarter‑percent levy on the ballot.