LISBON — A new three-year contract for members of the Columbiana County Highway and Engineering Department Employees’ Association includes wage increases each year based on the cost of living, according to county Engineer Bert Dawson.

The agreement between the county engineer and the association will be effective from Jan. 1, 2026 to Dec. 31, 2028 and was approved by county commissioners on Wednesday.

He explained that some increases may be related to pay scale and change in duties. He said the agreement also clarified some language. The current contract expires on Dec. 31 this year.

The number of employees covered is close to 50.

“We have some great people working with us and it’s great to have this contract behind us, to move on and get things done for Columbiana County,” Dawson said. “Our employees are all dedicated. I’ve got a really good group.”

In other business related to the county engineer, commissioners gave permission for the advertising for two separate bids, one for gasoline, diesel, fuel and kerosene for 2026 and one for slag, gravel, crushed limestone and ice control material for 2026. Bids will be opened Dec. 17.

Commissioners also reappointed Nicholas Amato to the county Port Authority Board for a new four-year term.

The commissioners appropriated $2,021,610 which Commissioner Mike Halleck said will go toward the records building project.

In a matter dealing with courthouse operations, Halleck said the commissioners will be talking with some of the various officeholders, noting that some offices close for lunch and others don’t and there needs to be some consistency.

He announced that the courthouse downtown and the building housing Municipal Court and the title department will be closed on Dec. 26, the day after Christmas.

During commissioner reports, he offered congratulations to Madison Township Trustee-elect Duane Nickell, who was attending the meeting. Nickell was the top vote-getter in the three-person race for two trustee positions, with longtime incumbent Wayne Chamberlain knocked out. Bruce Barrett won the other seat.

Commissioners Tim Ginter and Roy Paparodis both wished everybody a happy Thanksgiving, with Ginter asking that everyone take a few minutes to thank the one who gave us everything. Paparodis urged everyone to be safe and enjoy the holiday.

During last week’s meeting, commissioners approved multiple one-year contracts from Jan. 1, 2026 to Dec. 31, 2026 funded through the senior services levy with various spending ceilings. Those contracts included: Always Best Care, home health aide, homemaker and chore services, $40,000; Clean Choice Maids, homemaker services, $40,000; Companion Care, home health aide, homemaker and chore services, $105,000; FTC Cleaning LLC, homemaker and chore services, $45,000; Mother’s Karing Touch, home health aide, homemaker and chore services, $15,000; and ShineOn LLC Cleaning, home health aide, homemaker and chore services, $50,000.

Case manager contracts funded through the senior services levy full-time included Randy Calhoun, Lisa Argiro-Hetric and Bree Paynter, all at $47,495 and Brittany Bankston-Williams at $25,240 for part-time.

Columbiana County Department of Job and Family Services Director Rachel Ketterman spoke briefly about the services provided to seniors through the levy, explaining that anyone over the age of 60 years old needing services can call for an assessment of their home conditions. Services can included installation of a ramp, cleaning services or even dumpster services.

She notified commissioners of written notice given to Lisa Felekey-Bigelow to terminate the Family and Children First Council Service Coordination contract signed on July 2, with the termination dated Nov. 4.

She also met with commissioners behind closed doors regarding personnel, with commissioners in open session approving her recommendation to terminate a social service worker for unsatisfactory work and negligence of duty.

The next commissioners’ meeting will be 9 a.m. Dec. 3 at the downtown courthouse.

mgreier@mojonews.com