Mahoning County commissioners approve contracts, road closure and multiple grant actions

The Mahoning County Board of Commissioners on April 16 approved a slate of routine business including minutes and bills, multiple construction and repair contracts, several change orders and the appointment of Rick Buyco to the Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority.

Commissioners voted unanimously to advertise bids for an Avenue Road engineering project and to proceed with equipment and installation work for the county sewer district's tertiary clarifier. They approved travel for staff to the InfochLive conference (Las Vegas, June 9–11) and a roster of fleet and infrastructure repair agreements, including emergency sewer repairs and rehabilitation work at the Damascus wastewater plant.

The board approved change orders for road and housing repairs and awarded a bridge replacement contract for the Berlin Station Road project by resolution of award. Commissioners also authorized a lane closure on Western Reserve Road beginning April 20, 2026, for two weeks to complete sewer, curb, gutter and pavement work connected to the Western Reserve widening project.

Other approved items included: acceptance of Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) community sponsorship funds for energy-efficiency purchases and America 250 activities; a $350,000 transfer from the general fund to support a solar water initiative; authorization to purchase hazmat equipment to restore county Type 2 capabilities; and two grant applications by the sheriff's office — a $400,000 Ohio Attorney General opioid remediation grant (no local match) and an application to an Ohio law-enforcement accreditation program (up to $25,000).

Votes at a glance
- Minutes and bills: Approved (roll call unanimous)
- Advertisement for engineering bids (A–B): Approved (roll call unanimous)
- Travel to InfochLive (3A): Approved (roll call unanimous)
- Agreements A–P (fleet, sewer, housing, repairs): Approved (roll call unanimous)
- Change orders A–F: Approved (roll call unanimous)
- Appointment: Rick Buyco to Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority (5‑year term, effective Jan. 1, 2026): Approved (roll call unanimous)
- Road closing: Western Reserve Road lane closure (Apr. 20 start, ~2 weeks): Approved (roll call unanimous)
- Resolution of award: Berlin Station Road bridge replacement: Approved
- Hazmat equipment purchase (non‑general fund): Approved
- NOPEC sponsorship fund acceptance: Approved
- Sheriff grant applications (opioid remediation; accreditation): Approved

What happens next
Several items authorized at the meeting proceed to procurement or contract execution. The Western Reserve Road closure is scheduled to begin April 20. Projects funded with grant or reimbursable dollars will move forward as contracts are executed and milestones are met.