Mahoning County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Mahoning County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Judicial Election
Four candidates are running for a Mahoning County Common Pleas judge seat, and the winner will shape local court decisions for years. If you live in the county, it’s worth knowing who’s on the ballot before you vote.
County Infrastructure and Budget Additions
The county approved several infrastructure projects, including courthouse HVAC controls, wastewater treatment plant transformer repairs, backflow installation, and road easements along Glenwood Avenue. These updates help maintain public buildings and transportation networks.
Sanitary Engineer public operating hours
A resolution would fix the Sanitary Engineer Department's public hours at 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, starting November 2, 2026 — the hours residents need to know when conducting water/sewer business.
Transfer of Norman Avenue to Smith Township
Norman Avenue (County Highway 255) would be transferred from county maintenance to Smith Township's highway system — a jurisdictional housekeeping matter that shifts who repairs that road.
County-Wide Road Resurfacing Projects
County Engineer Pat Sciaretta updated the board on extensive road paving projects happening across Mahoning County, including work in Green Township, Western Reserve Road, and Glenwood Avenue. Officials discussed the importance of the county road sales tax in funding these repairs and maintaining local infrastructure.
Lead Abatement and Home Repairs
The county approved new contracts and change orders for lead-paint removal and home repairs at several addresses, protecting families — especially kids — from lead exposure in older homes.
Employee Health and Wellness Program
The board was scheduled to renew employee health insurance with Medical Mutual of Ohio and set up vision and dental benefit renewals, all effective January 1, 2027. This affects county workers' coverage and what the county pays in 2027.
Emergency Management Agency Leadership
The EMA bought Crisis Track software to assess disaster damage, and the county's hazmat team just wrapped an 80-hour technician class with hands-on drills.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades
The county will advertise bids for polyaluminum chloride used to strip phosphorus from wastewater at the Meander plant — part of keeping local waterways clean.
Sales tax funding for Canfield and Poland township roads
The board declared it necessary to let the non-emergency sales and use tax pay for road and infrastructure repairs in Canfield and Poland townships. This channels county tax money into township-level road projects.
County employee insurance renewals for 2027
Health, vision and dental insurance plans were renewed with new funding rates starting January 1, 2027 — affecting costs for the county and its workers.
4-H and OSU Extension agricultural education
OSU Extension staff showed how they're bringing farming to city kids — 704 fourth graders at the first county Ag Day, hydroponics at Campbell schools, and chick-hatching in classrooms — with county funding helping make it happen.
Mahoning Avenue Road Vacation in Milton Township
The county commissioners held a public hearing to review a petition to vacate specific portions of Mahoning Avenue in Milton Township. Officials read detailed survey descriptions for three parcels involving right-of-way adjustments near Lake Milton.
Board of Elections Building Naming
The commissioners formally named the future Board of Elections facility after the late Joyce Kale-Pesta to honor her decades of dedicated public service and commitment to fair elections.
Public Library Strategic Planning
Residents and commissioners voiced strong concerns over plans by the library board to abandon or relocate the 21-year-old Poland Library building. Commissioners expressed frustration over the lack of public accountability and oversight for library boards.
Canfield Township Annexation Petition
The county officially received a petition to annex 11.1315 acres of land from Canfield Township into the City of Canfield, initiating the municipal review process.
Early Voting and Election Security Outreach
Commissioners reminded residents that early voting is underway for the November 3 election and urged voters to drop off absentee ballots securely rather than relying solely on mail delivery.