A proposed move of Trumbull County’s 911 dispatch center into the county health department building in Cortland is now drawing criticism—particularly from Commissioner Tony Bernard, who says the county moved forward too quickly and without a proper agreement in place.
Back in May, commissioners approved more than $63,000 to hire an architect and consulting firm to begin evaluating the move. The vote passed 2–1, with Bernard opposing it.
“We did not have a contract,” Bernard said after Tuesday morning’s workshop. “Why should we spend $100,000 for them to come back and tell me we need two million? We already know that.”
Commissioners Denny Malloy and Rick Hernandez voted in favor of the motion, but Tuesday’s discussion revealed even some who supported the move didn’t fully realize the county’s potential financial obligations.
“The terms were there, but I admit—I didn’t know we’d be responsible for all of the utilities,” Hernandez said during the meeting. There was also discussion over whether the county might need to cover groundskeeping and ongoing maintenance, as well as how rent might be structured.
Malloy defended the decision to hire an architect, calling it a necessary first step to determine actual costs and feasibility. “We hired an architect… but now we need to shore a lease up so we don’t get the cart before the horse,” he said.
The commissioners are now waiting on a formal written proposal from the Trumbull County Combined Health District outlining terms for a lease or use agreement.
Bernard argues the spending should stop until that proposal is received and reviewed. “You should always have an agreement before you start spending taxpayers’ money,” he said. “Sometimes, we act before we have a real plan.”
The board took no formal action Tuesday, but the discussion made clear that further review is needed before any move forward. Commissioners acknowledged that if utilities and rent cannot be split or justified legally—especially given 911’s restricted funding sources—it could create audit concerns or further delays.