Lorain County holds hearings on 0.25% sales/use tax to fund jail construction, staff explain legal differences

Lorain County commissioners convened at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 17, for two public hearings on a proposed quarter-percent (0.25%) sales and use tax that would run for 15 years to finance construction, equipping, repair and operation of the Lorain County Jail and Lorain County Detention Facility.

The hearings, introduced by the presiding chair, reviewed draft resolution language citing authority under the Ohio Revised Code. Staff explained that one resolution is framed under the sections of the Code that allow a sales or use tax specifically for criminal-justice and administrative services, while the other draws on a different statutory provision that allows a tax to support construction of a public improvement. The board and staff confirmed the measures are written as 15-year sunset taxes rather than permanent levies.

“People who are paying the tax wish also to build the facility,” said Mike Sherman of Eaton Township during the public-comment period. Sherman, who identified himself as a resident and past project participant, said he strongly supports law enforcement but urged the board to require local workforce participation, a project labor agreement or a community workforce benefits agreement so tax dollars would circulate back into the county’s economy and support local workers.

No other speakers came forward in support or opposition during the hearings. Commissioners moved to close the first hearing, recessed briefly, then opened and conducted the second hearing addressing the construction and equipping purpose. A motion to close the second hearing was made and seconded; the board recorded ayes and adjourned.

The board scheduled follow-up meetings for Tuesday (times stated at the session as 4:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.) to continue consideration and to allow members of the board formed to review or express a position on the measures. One commissioner was noted as absent from the meeting due to a family funeral and expected to return for the Tuesday session.

The measures discussed cite authority in the Ohio Revised Code for sales and use taxes; the transcript includes references to the code sections that staff read during the hearings. No final vote to adopt either tax was taken at the July 17 session; the board left both hearings closed pending the upcoming meetings.