On the heels of an informant leak regarding the abortion rights case at the U.S. Supreme Court, the Lucas County commissioners responded with an expression of support for reproductive rights.
At the May 17 meeting, the commissioners passed a resolution seeking to protect a woman’s right to an abortion. “Reproductive rights in the United States are under attack with serious implications for people in Lucas County,” they wrote.
If Rowe v. Wade is overturned, the commissioners believe Ohio and 26 other states will move to ban abortion. “This means 36 million women, and all who can become pregnant, are at risk of losing the fundamental right to control their own bodies,” the commissioners contend.
They expressed concern for black, Latino and indigenous communities as well as immigrants, people in rural communities, those with disabilities, young and low income people.
“Many already face systemic barriers to health care services and laws restricting abortion access will only exacerbate those inequities.”
The commissioners referred to a May 2021 Gallup poll that claimed 80 percent of people are in favor of legal abortion. Despite those numbers, they believe legislators at the federal and state levels continue to strip rights of women.
“Restricting access to reproductive health care is not only out of line with public sentiment, it is dangerous and harmful to public health and safety,” they concluded.
Other Business
In other business, the commissioners:
•Agreed to advertise for architectural and engineering services and construction management services for comprehensive renovations to the structure at 701 and 711 Adams Street.
In a related matter, the commissioners awarded Berglund Construction Company of Columbus the window replacement project at 701 Adams Street for $2.095 million. The current windows are original and need replaced on all three sides of the building.
•Established an agreement with the Family and Children First Council (FCFC), which clarifies the role of the county as administrative agent for FCFC, and the council’s responsibilities to the commissioners. The agreement establishes the administrative agent fee of $25,000.
•Approved a supplemental agreement with Northeast Energy Systems LLC for repairs to two generators at the water resource recovery facility for $8,934.
•Authorized an amendment to the 2022 delegate agreement with Toledo Public Schools to add cost of living allowance funding of 2.28 percent, an increase of $33,487.
•Approved a memorandum of understanding with Golden Tree Marketing for marketing services for the MacArthur Safety and Justice Challenge Community grant at an amount not to exceed $7,000.
•Entered into private agreements for sanitary sewer and water supply lines with Coventry Glen plat four, Waterville Township; Stoney Creek plat three, Monclova Township, and Land Air plat two, Swanton Township. All three will construct the lines under terms set by the sanitary sewer engineer’s office.
•Employed Hunter Broshious and Tina Shoemaker to custodial worker positions in the facilities department at $15.13 per hour. They also hired David Dillow as a canine care technician at an hourly rate of $15.88. All three are filling vacancies in departments.
•Agreed to advertise for statements of qualifications to perform functions related to the 2022 Community Development Block Grant allocation program.
•Approved memorandums of understanding between the Department of Job and Family Services and Pathway Inc. Brothers United program and Benchmark Behavioral Healthcare to refer eligible parents to the Cribs for Kids program. JFS will purchase items and Pathway and Benchmark will make referrals and conduct home visits to see they are used correctly.
Both documents run through September 30.
•Agreed to advertise for requests for proposals to support drug testing services at common pleas court. To increase client compliance and convenience, the court is considering operational changes to the drug testing program.
~Jane Maiolo
