Commissioners considering banning large wind and solar in county’s townships
- Portage County’s commissioners have the authority to designate all 18 townships off-limits to large wind and solar installations, but they’ve decided not to act alone.
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Property taxes and revenue are up: Where does the money go?
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Portage County property owners were gobsmacked last year when they received their new property valuations. Many wondered where the money will go, and some are even calling for the total elimination of property taxes.
Sheriff’s office won’t answer questions about costs related to ICE agreement
-Wendy DiAlesandro
Many questions remain about the recently signed agreement between the Portage County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that empowers deputies to enforce federal immigration law.
County, Kent, Streetsboro and Ravenna reach agreement on Drug Task Force lawsuit
-Wendy DiAlesandro
The cities of Kent, Streetsboro and Ravenna have reached an agreement with the county over the value of property retained by the Portage County sheriff when he withdrew his agency from a joint drug task force in 2021.
Affordability, accessibility among housing concerns in Portage County
-Audrey Trevarthan
As housing concerns in Northeast Ohio rise, Portage County leaders are organizing to address affordable housing, employment and accessibility.
Two Portage County agencies are pushing back on their budget allocations for 2025
-Wendy DiAlesandro
Anticipating they will have just over $68 million in resources, Portage County’s commissioners are deep into their annual task of determining which department gets what.
Portage County Commissioners approve Wohlwend Properties 10-year tax abatement
-Wendy DiAlesandro
Portage County Commissioners on Nov. 13 approved a tax abatement agreement between Brimfield Township trustees and Wohlwend Properties, LLC.
Carmen Laudato and Jill Crawford on the ballot for county commissioner
-Wendy DiAlesandro
Republican Jill Crawford and Democrat Carmen Lisa Laudato are squaring off to serve as Portage County commissioner.
Clerk of Courts candidate sues county commissioners for alleged Sunshine Law breach
-Wendy DiAlesandro
Longtime political activist — and current Republican candidate for Portage County Clerk of Courts — Brian Ames is suing the county commissioners for an alleged breach of Ohio’s open meetings laws.
A quarter of the county’s registered voters decided Tuesday’s election
-Wendy DiAlesandro
Countywide turnout in the May 19 primary election tallied at 25.24% of registered voters, a bit lower than usual for a presidential primary election, county Board of Elections Director Faith Lyon said.
Badalamenti and Pavliga lost their re-election bids after primary challenges from sheriff-backed newcomers
-Rachel Abbey McCafferty
Incumbent county commissioner Tony Badalamenti will not serve another term after this fall’s election, having lost his primary campaign to his Republican challenger, Jill L. Crawford, in a very close race.
Budget rift between sheriff and commissioners divides GOP this election
-Wendy DiAlesandro
Portage County Commissioner Tony Badalamenti arrived at the Ravenna Moose Lodge in September for an event to fund Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski’s re-election campaign. He thought he would take the opportunity to explain his recent budget decisions to the sheriff’s supporters.
For the first time, county commissioners are denying Sheriff Zuchowski’s funding requests
-Wendy DiAlesandro
Since 2020, the Portage County sheriff’s annual budget has increased by $8 million, and Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski is asking for an additional $4 million increase this year.
Residents invited to Coffee with the Commissioners Feb. 27 in Brimfield
-Wendy DiAlesandro
The Portage County Board of Commissioners invites county residents to enjoy Coffee with the Commissioners at 9 a.m. Feb. 27 at the Brimfield Family Restaurant, 1198 Tallmadge Rd. in Brimfield.
Portage County hopes to solve its Summit County dam problem with $2 million
-Wendy DiAlesandro
Portage County’s Board of Commissioners have budgeted up to $2 million dollars to modify a dam that’s not even in the county and that nobody really wants.
Freedom’s historic Schoolhouse #2 is getting accessibility improvements
-Wendy DiAlesandro
Freedom Township’s historic one-room school house is in line for a makeover.
Documenters: Portage County Board of Commissioners meeting for June 8, 2023
-Kelsey Paulus
At 9 a.m. the meeting was promptly started with the Pledge of Allegiance. The June 1 meeting minutes were approved via roll call, Vice President Sabrina Christian-Bennett was not in attendance.
Three Portage County townships want to restrict or ban solar and wind farms
-Wendy DiAlesandro
Citing zoning, safety and aesthetic concerns, three Portage County townships are imposing moratoriums or even seeking outright bans on commercial wind and solar farms.