Lorain County Commissioners Jeff Riddell, Dave Moore, and Marty Gallagher held the second public hearing on a proposed quarter-percent sales tax increase, intended to create a dedicated funding stream for the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Jack Hall and Chief Deputy Tanya Czack presented a detailed overview of the department’s budget challenges and cost-saving reforms aimed at increasing efficiency and public safety.
A Quarter-Cent Proposal with Long-Term Impact
The proposed 0.25% sales tax increase—equal to 25 cents per $100 spent—would fund sheriff operations directly, without relying on fluctuating general fund allocations. Czack explained that the new revenue would cap the general fund’s contribution at $7 million, freeing up an estimated $13 million for other county priorities.
The department is currently working with a $31.2 million budget for 2025, with projections of $34 million in 2026. That figure excludes a planned prisoner transport team, which would raise the budget to $35.5 million. Sheriff Hall noted that the transport team would reduce the need to reassign patrol deputies for hospital visits and court transfers—responsibilities that cost over $1.1 million last year, not including medical bills or overtime.
🧾 What Would the Quarter-Percent Sales Tax Cost You?
| Your Spending | Added Tax |
|---|---|
| $100 | $0.25 |
| $1,000 | $2.50 |
| $10,000 | $25.00 |
🚓 How It Helps Lorain County
- Keeps more deputies on patrol, not tied up with inmate transport
- Reduces overtime and hospital guard costs
- Caps county contribution to $7M, freeing $13M for other needs
- Funds the department without relying on ARPA or budget swings
Budget Cuts, Past Errors, and Efficiency Measures
Sheriff Hall explained that the department experienced a $750,000 budget cut from 2024 to 2025. It later had to request an emergency $250,000 allocation to pay off 2024 bills due to unpaid invoices. An internal audit also revealed $1.8 million in calculation errors made under the prior administration’s spreadsheets, distorting the true budget need.
Despite these obstacles, Czack and Hall emphasized significant progress. The Sheriff’s Office reduced inmate healthcare costs by 40%, secured grant funding for investigations, reassigned administrative staff to patrol, and created a vehicle lease rotation plan that avoids costly upfront fleet purchases.
Public Response and Commissioner Remarks
Brian Baker, a Greystone Drive resident and former candidate for commissioner, said he supports the sheriff’s efforts but urged more transparency and outreach. He suggested applying any future recovery from the $13.9 million Midway Mall judgment toward the jail fund to reduce taxpayer burden.
The commissioners voiced support for the plan and the Sheriff’s improvements. Commissioner Gallagher called the tax “not a new tax,” but a reinstatement of a quarter-percent sales tax that was eliminated in 2020 and temporarily replaced by ARPA dollars. Those federal funds are now gone.
Ballot Decision Set for July
The commissioners confirmed that they will vote on the sales tax resolution at their July 1, 2025 meeting. If passed, it would place the issue on the November ballot, allowing Lorain County voters to decide.
“We really have until July 15 to pass a resolution to allow the public to make that decision,” said Commissioner Moore. “This gives us a full month to continue educating people.”
The public hearing concluded with appreciation for the Sheriff’s team and a unanimous vote to close the session. Commissioner Riddell added that public safety is “not a benefit—it’s a necessity,” and the county must fund it accordingly.
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