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Lucas County Announces $100,000 in Grant Funding to Support Criminal Justice Reform and Address Racial Disparity in Jails
TOLEDO, OH October 29, 2021 -- The Lucas County Commissioners today announced at new grant initiative to partner with community-based groups to support criminal justice reform and address racial disparity in local jails.
The Lucas County Grant program will provide resources to community-based organizations doing innovative work on criminal justice and will further the goals of the county's participation in the MacArthur Foundation Safety + Justice Challenge.These grants of up to $10,000 are designed to advance racial equity in the criminal justice system and safely reduce the local jail population.
Read the full media announcement (PDF).
Lucas County Commissioners Announce Commission to Review Maumee's Unpermitted Discharge of Sanitary-Sewage Overflows into the Maumee River
TOLEDO, OH -- Today, the Lucas County Commissioners held a press conference to announce the formation of a commission to examine the City of Maumee's unpermitted discharge of sanitary-sewage overflows into the Maumee River. Read the full media announcement.(PDF)
Toledo-Lucas County Rental Assistance Program Announced
A new joint Toledo-Lucas County Rental Assistance Program will help renters impacted by COVID-19, Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, and Lucas County Commissioners Tina Skeldon Wozniak, Pete Gerken, and Gary L. Byers announced today.
“Almost exactly one year ago, the city launched the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Fund to help provide stable housing for 700 income-eligible households in Toledo impacted by COVID-19,” Mayor Kapszukiewicz said. “Now, through a partnership with Lucas County, we are launching a second round of assistance for income-eligible renters with a county-wide program to help residents of Toledo and all of Lucas County. COVID-19 has caused unprecedented job loss and income reduction and I am thrilled that the city and the county have partnered to again address the challenge of housing with this new, federally-funded program.”
Additional information can be found in the full ma announcement. (PDF)
Lucas County Commissioners announce open call to submit applications for Lucas County Poet Laureate
TOLEDO, OH - The Lucas County Commissioners today announced the opening of the nomination period in the selection process to appoint the next Poet Laureate of Lucas County.
“One of the goals of this prestigious position is to make poetry more accessible to residents across Lucas County and to promote the love of poetry and literacy throughout the community,” said Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak. “Poetry is a transformative form of art that has so much to offer. It can bring the community together and has the potential to foster cultural and society growth for Lucas County residents."
Information about applying can be found in the full announcement. (PDF)
Lucas County Commissioners issue statement on the verdict
in the trial of Derek Chauvin
The jury in the trial of Derek Chauvin has reached a decision and held the former police officer accountable for the senseless and violent murder of George Floyd.
Read the full statement (PDF).
Environmental Review Reports for CDBG Projects Available
Final Environmental Review Reports for two Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) projects are available for viewing by the public. These reports are for the City of Oregon Sidewalk Extension Project and the Ability Center Home Access Modifications Project.Lucas County to Host Virtual Community Engagement Meetings for Projects to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Disparities in County Jail Population.
TOLEDO, OH, October 13, 2020 -- As part of its affiliation with the MacArthur Foundation Safety + Justice Challenge, Lucas County will host a series of virtual community listening sessions and discussions on criminal justice reform and racial equity to develop projects to address ways to reduce the racial and ethnic disparities in the local jail population. Sessions will begin in October and will continue through December. The ninety-minute sessions will focus on getting input from residents, advocates, community stakeholders, and others who live, work, or have interests in the Toledo ZIP codes of 43604, 43607, 43608, and 43610.
Full details are available here.
Applications Available for the Lucas County Community Housing Impact and Preservation (CHIP) program
The Lucas County Community Housing Impact and Preservation (CHIP) program offers no-cost home repairs and rehabilitations to income-eligible Lucas County homeowners (excluding the City of Toledo). Repairs may include roofs, water heaters, furnaces, electrical, insulation, ADA modifications, plumbing, and more.
The Home Repair Program provides no-cost upgrades and fixes for qualified homeowners. This grant-funded program requires no repayment by the homeowner.
The Home Rehabilitation Program offers more extensive repairs and upgrades for homes. This program is funded partially through a grant that is forgivable over a five-year period and a no-interest deferred loan that is repayable at the time of sale, transfer of title, or change in occupancy.
A brochure explaining the program along with an application form are available using the highlighted links. Downloadable versions of the Fair Housing brochure and the Landlord-Tenant Fair Housing brochure are also available by clicking the related links.
Lucas County 9-1-1 Regional Council of Governments
A meeting of the Lucas County 9-1-1 Regional Council of Governments is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 11, 2020. Due to the current Public Health Emergency in the State of Ohio, the meeting will be virtually hosted and can be viewed live via Facebook.
See the full agenda for this meeting.
Park Inn Hotel to Become Hilton Garden Inn & Homewood Suites
The Lucas County Commissioners are delighted to announce a public-private partnership between its community improvement corporation, the Lucas County Economic Development Corporation (LCEDC), Columbus-based developer Frank Kass’s Continental Real Estate Company, and Stephen Schwartz’s First Hospitality Group, Inc. (FHG) to redevelop the Park Inn in downtown Toledo into new dual-brand Hilton hotels.
Emergency Shelter Funding Gap for Homelessness Board
See the submitted documentation.
First Meeting of the Lucas County 9-1-1- Regional Council of Governments Scheduled
The first meeting of the Lucas County 9-1-1 Regional Council of Governments is scheduled for Friday, February 28, 2020, at 1 p.m. in the 3rd Floor Conference Room of the Lucas County Emergency Services Building located at 2144 Monroe Street in Toledo Ohio. Agenda
Hearings on Proposed Changes to Building Regulations Fee Structure Scheduled
The Board of Lucas County Commissioners, pursuant to §307.37(B) of the Ohio Revised Code, will hold two public hearings on December 10, 2019, and January 7, 2020, both at 11:00 AM in the Board of County Commissioners Hearing Room, First Floor, One Government Center, Toledo, Ohio, for the purpose of amending Appendix B-Schedule of Fees of the Lucas County Building Regulations Division. Copies of the proposed amendments to Appendix B-Schedule of Fees of the Lucas County Building Regulations Division are on file in the Lucas County Commissioners office, One Government Center, Suite 800, Toledo, Ohio, and are available for public inspection. This notice will also be posted on the Lucas County website.By order of the Board of County Commissioners of Lucas County, Ohio
Tina Skeldon Wozniak, President
Pete Gerken
Gary L. Byers
Lucas County Commissioners presented with Task Force Report on Public Transportation
A Community Task Force charged with reviewing the operations of public transportation in Northwest Ohio will release its final report on Tuesday during the regular weekly meeting of the Lucas County Commissioners.
The Commissioners asked the Community Task Force, which was chaired by Bruce Baumhower, to review the strengths, weaknesses, and public transportation needs of the Lucas County and the surrounding area and to develop recommendations for an innovative, sustainable model going forward. Read the full report.
Briefing on the Feasibility of Merged and Consolidated 911 Services
In December 2018, the Board of Lucas County Commissioners was approached by key stakeholders in the County’s 911 system to study the feasibility of the merging and consolidation of 911 services in Lucas County with the goal of creating a safer and more effective, and efficient countywide system. Read the full report.
Lucas County Commissioners support Welcome TLC and Toledo HRC statement opposing verbal attacks on Immigrants and People of Color
TOLEDO, OH – The Lucas County Commissioners today approved a resolution in support of the statement released by Welcome Toledo-Lucas County and the City of Toledo Human Rights Commission that opposes the recent verbal attacks on immigrants and people of color. Read the release regarding these attacks.
Welcome Toledo-Lucas County (TLC) and City of Toledo Human Relations Commission (HRC) Statement on National Discourse and Verbal Attacks on Immigrants and People of Color
Welcome TLC and the City of Toledo HRC stand with immigrants and people of color in this country, especially four U.S. Congresswomen of color and immigrant heritage informally known as “The Squad” in the face of increasingly negative national discourse and verbal attacks. Read full statement.
Board of Lucas County Commissioners appoints new directors for JFS and Planning and Development
TOLEDO, OH. – The Board of Lucas County Commissioners recently approved the promotion of two long-time Lucas County employees to new positions.
Breda Osburn was named Director of Lucas County Job and Family Services (JFS) and Tonia Saunders was appointed Director of Planning and Development. The appointments are effective immediately. Read this release.
Lucas County Commissioners to Promote In-Demand Jobs Week
TOLEDO, OH. – The Lucas County Board of Commissioners will hold a press conference at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 30, 2019, to talk about upcoming local events to recognize “In-Demand Jobs Week”, a state-wide celebration of jobs, industries, and skills that are in demand in Ohio. Read the In-Demand Jobs Week release.
Lucas County announced as Certified Welcoming
TOLEDO, OH. – The Board of Lucas County Commissioners is pleased to announce that it has achieved the status of Certified Welcoming, the first county in Ohio and only the second community in the state to earn the merit. The Commissioners and Welcoming America announced Lucas County’s achievement today during a press conference in One Government Center.
According to research published by New American Economy, the immigrant population in the city of Toledo grew from 2.8 percent in 2000 to 3.7 percent in 2014. During the same period, the U.S.-born population decreased nearly 13 percent. Also, local immigrants, who account for 3.4 percent of the overall population, make up 4.2 percent of the workforce, generate nearly $242 million in spending power for the local economy, and contribute more than $31 million in state and local taxes. Read the Certified Welcoming release.
Board of Lucas County Commissioners declare opposition to Ohio House Bill 6
TOLEDO, OH – The Board of Lucas County Commissioners today strongly declared its opposition to House Bill 6, which the commissioners view as nothing more than a bailout for the bankrupt FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., the parent company of Toledo Edison.
“House Bill 6 will only help the shareholders of FirstEnergy and FirstEnergy Solutions while significantly raising electricity rates on homeowners, renters, small business, and industry in Ohio,” the Commissioners said. Read the HB 6 release.
Lucas County Commissioners file lawsuit in federal court seeking the U.S. EPA to enforce U.S. Clean Water Act to clean up Lake Erie
TOLEDO, OH – The Board of Lucas County Commissioners filed a lawsuit today to force the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to comply with its legal obligations under the Clean Water Act regarding the impaired status of Lake Erie.
The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in Toledo, states that the refusal of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to submit a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) to the federal EPA violates the requirements of the Clean Water Act and other federal regulations. Read the Lawsuit release.
Board of Lucas County Commissioners Announce Citizens Task Force to Confront Concerns about Public Transportation
The members of the task force are: Kim Cutcher, Local Initiatives Support Corp. Executive Director; Cheri Budzynski, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP; G. Opie Rollison, Marshall Melhorn; Rev. Otis Gordon, Warren A.M.E. Church Senior Pastor and Certified Public Accountant; Doni Miller, Neighborhood Health Association Chief Executive Officer; Angie Goodnight, Information and Community Outreach Coordinator for Ability Center of Greater Toledo; Michael Hampton, Getting Ahead While Getting Out; Dan Rogers, Cherry Street Mission Ministries President and CEO; Bruce Baumhower, President of United Auto Workers Local 12; Sam Melden, Director of Metro Region Volunteer Services for ProMedica; Alexis Hayman-Staples, Toledo Pride/Collingwood Arts Center Executive Director; Drew Williams, University of Toledo Student Government President; Duke Wheeler, Wheeler Farms; Joe Luzar, Vice President Business Development at The Mosser Group; Adele Jasion, accountant/owner of Gilmore Jasion Mahler, LTD; Demetria Simpson, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority; Guisselle Mendoza, President of Latino Alliance of Northwest Ohio, and Frank Szollosi, National Wildlife Federation’s Regional Outreach Coordinator.
The Commissioners believe public transportation is vital to the economy and viability of our community. The task force will therefore be charged with an examination of transportation needs in the Greater Toledo area and the development of recommendations that will promote the most connective and efficient transit system going forward.
Mayor and Commissioners Announce Members of the Toledo-Lucas County Complete Count Committee
TOLEDO, OH – The Lucas County Board of Commissioners and Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz today announced the citizens who will be serving on the Toledo-Lucas County Complete Count Committee, which is charged with ensuring that there will be a comprehensive enumeration of all residents of Toledo and Lucas County during the upcoming 2020 decennial census.
Complete count committees are commissions organized by local governments to raise awareness of and facilitate a higher self-response rate to the census and are comprised of representatives from civic organizations, faith-based groups, educators, the business community, labor, and other community stakeholders.
The members of the committee are: U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur; Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz; Gary L. Byers, Lucas County Commissioner; Pete Gerken, Lucas County Commissioner; Tina Skeldon Wozniak, Lucas County Commissioner; Mark Reiter, Lucas County Public Information Officer; Ignazio Messina, City of Toledo Director of Communication; Brian Dicken, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce; Shannon Lands, Toledo-Lucas County Health Department; Barbara J. Petee, ProMedica; Jeff Dempsey, Mercy Health; Doni Miller, Neighborhood Health Association; Dr. Donald Perryman, Center for Hope Church; Dr. S. Masheer Rehman, United Muslim Association of Toledo; Willie Perryman, Project Coordinator JFS/CSEA/OMJ Transition Services; Margie Traband, University of Toledo Office of Government Relations; Dr. May Ann Gawalek, Lourdes University; Meg Adams, Toledo Edison; Rhonda Sewell, Toledo Lucas County Public Library; Brittany Ford, Welcome Toledo-Lucas County; Anita Martinez Folger, Adelante; Patty Hernandez, Advocates for Basic Legal Equality; Anneliese Grytafey, Toledo Community Foundation; Marie Flannery, Fair Housing Center; Brad Toft, YMCA/JCC; Bill Farnsel, Neighborworks; Wendy Pestrue, United Way of Greater Toledo; Cheryl Grice, Pathway; Regina Russell, Area Office on Aging; George Tucker, Greater Northwest Ohio AFL-CIO; Kevin Dalton, Toledo Federation of Teachers, and Steve Kowalik, AFSCME.
The Toledo-Lucas County Complete Count Committee is comprised of elected officials, educators, and leaders of civic organizations, faith-based groups, labor, and the business community. They will help support the upcoming census count and strive to encourage citizens to promptly respond to complete census forms in a timely manner.
The results of the 2020 Census will be instrumental in determining Ohio’s Congressional delegation and the allocation of federal funds to address future transportation needs as well as assist local governments as they establish education, healthcare, transportation, social services, and emergency response priorities.
Recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNAP) will receive full February benefits early
TOLEDO, OH. – Due to the federal government shutdown, Lucas County recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be receiving February benefits early.
For people who received SNAP benefits in January and are scheduled to receive SNAP in February, their February benefits will be available on their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card on January 16. This will be their benefit for the entire month of February and no additional food dollars will be added in February.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has instructed the Ohio Department of Job and Services to issue February benefits early because of a provision in the expired federal spending bill that allows the USDA to continue to fund some of its programs for 30 days beyond when the department had to shut down. To comply with that rule, the USDA is working with each state to load February SNAP benefits onto recipients’ cards now rather than the beginning of February, when they would normally be available.
SNAP-participating customers are being encouraged to plan their purchases carefully so that they will have money available to meet their food needs through the end of February.
Welcome Toledo-Lucas County wins award in the Gateways for Growth Challenge Round III
Toledo, OH – New American Economy and Welcoming America have selected Welcome Toledo-Lucas County (Welcome TLC) to receive a Gateways for Growth Challenge award in the third year of the initiative.Launched in December 2015, the Gateways for Growth Challenge is a competitive opportunity for local communities to receive tailored research, direct technical assistance, and matching grants from New American Economy and Welcoming America to develop multi-sector plans for welcoming and integrating immigrants.
“We launched the Welcome TLC initiative five years ago because we realized the value of immigrants and refugees and the potential they bring to Toledo and Lucas County. Toledo-Lucas County has a unique immigrant population and history that has served us well in the past and will continue to serve us well in the future,” the Lucas County Commissioners said.
“This is another step in Welcome TLC’s leadership in including Toledo-Lucas County’s small but growing and diverse immigrant population in our regional talent and economic development strategies,” said Mechelle Zarou and Reem Subei, Welcome TLC’s Co-Chairs. “Especially in this era of misinformation on immigration, Toledo’s immigrant community is to be celebrated and welcomed and we continue to work to put our region on the map nationally.”
Following a rigorous application process, Welcome TLC and 12 other communities were selected for the third round of the Gateways for Growth Challenge. This year’s awardees, alongside Welcome TLC, include Bowling Green, Kentucky, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Charlotte, North Carolina, Flint, Michigan, Lexington, Kentucky, Lowell, Massachusetts, Memphis, Tennessee, Northern Kentucky, Roanoke, Virginia, San Antonio, Texas, and Wayne County, Michigan.
In applying for the Gateways for Growth Challenge, Welcome TLC demonstrated a strong commitment developing a concrete strategy that ensures all residents have access to the tools and support they need to succeed and contribute to their communities, and to highlight the contributions immigrants are already making locally. Foreign-born residents account for about seven percent of Toledo’s population and more than nine percent of Lucas County’s population.
Welcome TLC will receive tailored research assistance from the Gateways for Growth Challenge to update a study on the demographics and economic impact of immigrants and refugees in Toledo.
Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak elected President of the Board of Lucas County Commissioners
Commissioner Wozniak elected to a one-year term as President
TOLEDO, OH – Lucas County Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak was selected Tuesday by a unanimous vote of the three-member Board of Commissioners to serve as board President for 2019. She will serve a one-year term.“We will work collaboratively with staff, labor unions, and elected officials to address budget challenges while continuing to deliver great public service to the citizens of Lucas County. We will continue to utilize innovation to create efficiencies in county operations while staying committed to key capital improvements projects in downtown and within our county operations. Look for exciting developments to happen in 2019 that will benefit our residents and community as a whole,” Commissioner Wozniak said.
Commissioner Wozniak previously served as president from 2005 through 2008 and 2015 through 2016. She is currently in her 17th year as a Lucas County Commissioner.
Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken re-elected to CCAO Board of Directors
Toledo, OH – Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken was re-elected Monday to the County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAO) Board of Directors at the association’s annual winter conference in Columbus. He will serve a second two-year term on the Board of Directors. In addition, Commissioner Gerken is the co-chair of the Water Quality Task Force.
The County Commissioners Association of Ohio advances effective county government through legislative advocacy, education and training, technical assistance and research, quality enterprise service programs, and greater citizen awareness and understanding of government.
Lucas County Board of Commissioners files lawsuit in national prescription opiate litigation
The Lucas County Board of Commissioners today filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, against defendant manufacturers and distributors of prescription opiates. The Board was joined by Lucas County Children Services Board and the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Lucas County as plaintiffs in the National Prescription Opiate Litigation multidistrict litigation, MDL 2804. Opiate Litigation Information
Statement by Lucas County Commissioners in response to Governor Kasich’s executive order designating eight watersheds as distressed
The commissioners issued a statement Wednesday in response to the governor's executive order declaring Lake Erie watersheds distressed. Distressed Watershed Commissioner Response
Lucas County Board of County Commissioner's Statement Regarding Immigration Raids in Sandusky County
The Lucas County Commissioners released a statement today on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids Tuesday at greenhouses in Sandusky and Castalia and the arrests of 114 people. Immigration Raid Statement
Toledo Area Water Authority Memorandum of Understanding
Toledo Area Water Authority Memorandum of Understanding
Welcome Toledo-Lucas County unveils new community resource guide to address hate and racism
There is so much we can all do to address hate and racism in our community. This guide is intended to be a living document and resource guide for local organizations and initiatives and national resources to address hate and racism and to build welcoming, inclusion, and equity in our community. Please consider volunteering, donating, elevating, connecting, and supporting these efforts. Get started today with the Welcome TLC Equity Guide!
MacArthur Safety + Justice Challenge
In April of 2016, Lucas County was awarded a John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation $1.75 million grant to reform Lucas County's criminal justice system. The Safety + Justice challenge allows Lucas County to implement meaningful reform in our criminal justice system as we address fundamental questions about community safety, the use of jails, and justice for all. Learn more about Lucas County's efforts to ensure that our criminal justice system works for all residents at the Safety & Justice Challenge website.
View the MacArthur Safety +Justice Challenge 2017 Annual Report
Nutrient Source Inventory Tool
The Lucas County Commissioners, the City of Toledo, and the Toledo/Lucas County Sustainability Commission are proud to announce the unveiling of the Western Lake Erie Nutrient Source Inventory Tool.
The Western Lake Erie Nutrient Source Inventory (NSI) is an interactive map showing sources of nutrients in the western Lake Erie watershed. The NSI looks at urban and rural sources of runoff throughout the Western Lake Erie Basin that is contributing to harmful algal blooms. The map will be an important tool in the initiative to reduce phosphorus amounts in Lake Erie by 40 percent
Nutrient Source Inventory Tool
Lucas County 2017 Budget
The Lucas County Commissioners passed a $600 million budget on Tuesday, December 13, 2016.
Click the link below to see the full presentation.
2017 Budget Presentation
Toledo Seagate Convention Centre Market and Revenue Study
The Lucas County Commissioners hosted Development Strategies, Inc., for the public presentation of the Toledo Seagate Convention Centre Market and Revenue Study. Click the link below to view the full presentation.
Toledo Seagate Convention Centre Market and Revenue Study
Lucas County is Committed to a Clean Lake Erie
Moving Forward: Legal Solutions to Lake Erie's Harmful Algal Blooms
Commissioned by the Board of Lucas County Commissioners, written by legal experts and professors Ken Kilbert and Jack Tuholske, this report is an in-depth analysis of the legal tools available to address water quality issues. The report provides a framework for success in restoring and maintaining the health of Lake Erie.
Commissioned by the Board of Lucas County Commissioners, written by legal experts and professors Ken Kilbert and Jack Tuholske, this report is an in-depth analysis of the legal tools available to address water quality issues. The report provides a framework for success in restoring and maintaining the health of Lake Erie.
Welcome Toledo-Lucas County (TLC)
This initiative works to build a welcoming and inclusive community for immigrants and people of diverse cultures that supports a vibrant civic, economic, and social fabric for all. Currently housed in the Board of Lucas County Commissioners in partnership with Toledo LISC.
To learn more, check out our Facebook page.
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Commission to Review Maumee’s Unpermitted Discharge ofSanitary-Sewage Overflows into Maumee River
Lucas County Commissioners Announce Commission to Review Maumee’s Unpermitted Discharge of Sanitary-Sewage Overflows into the Maumee River Read on... -
Lucas County Commissioners and the Arts Commission announces partnership to engage young artists
The Lucas County Commissioners and the Arts Commission are pleased to announce the continuation of their partnership to create opportunity for diverse and at-risk teens. Read on... -
Toledo and Lucas County Seek Applicants for Commission on Disabilities
Lucas County residents who wish to be considered to serve on the Toledo/Lucas County Commission on Disabilities are encouraged to apply, depending on where they live, through the City of Toledo or Lucas County websites. Read on...
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