Lorain County Approves Contracts, Honors Volunteers

Joseph Jones April 26, 2025 4 minutes read

The Lorain County Board of Commissioners convened on Friday, April 25, 2025, for a meeting that highlighted community service efforts, county infrastructure improvements, and several major funding approvals.

Dog Kennel Volunteer Recognition

The meeting opened with a special presentation by Dog Warden Andy Laubenthal and Deputy Dog Warden Nelson Delgado, featuring “Nyla,” a two-month resident of the Lorain County Dog Kennel. Laubenthal praised the kennel’s dedicated volunteers, organized under the Friends of Lorain County Dog Kennel 501(c)(3), for their critical role in walking, socializing, and helping adopt out stray dogs.

He emphasized that the kennel now takes in between 60–100 dogs per month and hasn’t euthanized a dog due to overcrowding in over ten years. Volunteers also supply the kennel with vital donations—such as food, leashes, washers, dryers, toys, and crates—and assist with transporting animals to rescue organizations. Laubenthal highlighted an upcoming Steak Fry fundraiser on July 12, 2025, at the VFW on Abbey Road, which last year raised over $20,000.

In recognition of service, the Board honored Tori, president of the Friends group, with the kennel’s first-ever Volunteer of the Year Award for her extraordinary dedication since 2013.

Administrative Actions and Approvals

Following the presentation, the Board approved a series of routine and significant county actions:

Investments, Appropriations, and Bills: Approved unanimously without discussion.
Insurance Renewal: Authorized an $847,391 payment to CORSA for the county’s 2025–2026 general liability insurance coverage.
Soil & Water Conservation Funding: Allocated $300,000 to support the Lorain County Soil & Water Conservation District’s programs and operations for 2025.
Legal Services Update: Approved an updated Memorandum of Understanding with Gembala McLaughlin & Pecora for representation related to the county auditor’s CAUV program, following a law firm name change.

Stormwater Projects

Several stormwater management projects were also advanced:

Clinton Avenue Detention Basin: Awarded a maintenance contract to Irvin’s Inc. of Amherst, Ohio, for 2025–2026, with optional renewals through 2028.
Foster Ditch Improvements: Entered into a $17,000 contract amendment with K.E. McCartney & Associates to extend ditch reconstruction in LaGrange Township by approximately 730 feet.
Law Road Drainage Project: Accepted a recommendation to move forward with drainage improvements and scheduled a public hearing for June 3, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.

Transit and Infrastructure

NOACA Grant Application: Authorized submission of an application for Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds for Lorain County Transit. If awarded, funds would support future vehicle replacements.
Community-Based Correctional Facility (CBCF) Funding: Approved an eighth amendment to the county’s sublease agreement, raising the CBCF project total to $6.487 million.

Children’s Services and Public Safety

Children’s Services:
- Approved a new subgrant agreement with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and Medicaid.
- Authorized Children’s Services to utilize its agency Mastercard for purchases up to $2,500 annually.
Sheriff’s Office:
- Applied for the 2025–2026 DARE grant to fund half the salary of two sheriff’s deputies serving in schools.
- Approved a $63,000 agreement with MHARS (Mental Health, Addiction, and Recovery Services) to fund Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) programs for eligible jail inmates.

Law Enforcement Week Recognition

Before closing, the Commissioners formally proclaimed May 11–17, 2025, as National Police Week in Lorain County, honoring the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers. They noted that over 26,000 officers have been killed in the line of duty in the United States since 1786, including 21 from Lorain County agencies.