Lucas County Commissioners honor Hispanic leaders, approve jail food contract

TOLEDO, Ohio — Lucas County Commissioners kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations Tuesday by honoring several local leaders who have made significant contributions to the community.

Among those recognized were Deputy Chief Daniel-Brown Martinez of the Toledo Fire Department for his service in government, Jose Rosales of Toledo Public Schools for his impact on education, Nicole Beltran for her leadership in business, and Nalix Otero for her work in community advocacy.

Commissioner Anita Lopez emphasized the importance of celebrating the county’s rich cultural diversity:

“Lucas County has always embraced diversity and ethnic celebrations, and again we’re continuing in that tradition,” Lopez said.

The commissioners officially proclaimed Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month in Lucas County.

Commissioners also approved a 10 cent increase per meal for inmates at the Lucas County Jail, raising the cost to approximately $2.78 per meal. With around 300 inmates served three meals daily, the total annual cost will exceed $2 million under the renewed contract with Aramark Correctional Services.

Commissioner Pete Gerken voiced concerns about the quality of meals provided:

“I think a basic human right is food that is edible, nutritionally correct and can sustain people for 24 hours a day,” Gerken said. “We’re feeding 300+ inmates a day on less than $10 a day. It’s $2.78 per meal. That’s a long time between dinner and the next morning.”

Gerken challenged the Sheriff’s Office to explore improvements before the next contract renewal, noting that while the meals meet jail standards, they fall short of the standards the county should aspire to.

The approved renewal runs from Aug. 1, 2025, through July 31, 2026, with a 3.8% CPI-based price adjustment.

In a move to improve local infrastructure, commissioners granted permission to enter a joint agreement with the City of Toledo, Metroparks Toledo, and the Lucas County Engineer’s Office to resurface the University Parks Trail between Secor Road and Silica Drive.

Ben Pushka, Sustainability Coordinator, said the trail as it is now is nearing the end of its lifespan: 

“The original sections were put in about 30 years ago, which is about the length of the blacktop’s life. It’s time to start investing in getting it updated.”

The project is funded by a $950,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation, using federal dollars—meaning no cost to Lucas County taxpayers.

“It’s a great community connector. People use it for travel, health, and recreation,” Pushka added. “Thousands use it annually, and this is an opportunity to upgrade our infrastructure at no local cost.”

Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with completion targeted by the end of the year.

Lucas County Commissioners unanimously approved all other agenda items:

• Approval of Annexation Petition No. 2025-2, Portion of Sylvania Township to the City of Sylvania – Parcel No. 78-06791
• Approval of the Lucas County Responsible Contractor Policy

• Approval of Quit Claim Deed and Conveyance of Property to the Metropolitan Parks District of the Toledo Area for the Monclova Road & Wilkins Road Roundabout Project, PID 116687
• Approval of Joint Cooperation Agreement with the Board of Spencer Township Trustees for Allocation of Stormwater Utility Funds for Calendar Years 2026 through 2031

• Authorizing the Extension of the Contract for Legal Services with Outdoor Sylvania Community Park District
• Amending the Agreement for Legal Services between the Board of Lucas County Commissioners and the Lucas County 9-1-1 Regional Council of Governments

• Approval to Exercise the First (1st) of Two (2) Five-Year Renewal Options of the License Agreement with the Toledo Port Authority for the One Government Center Tower Site

• Approval of Memorandum of Understanding between the Lucas County Board of Commissioners, Lucas County Juvenile Court and the Zepf Center for the Youth Runaway Shelter, Safety Net

• Authorization to Enter an SFY 2026, Pooled Funding Agreement, with the Specified Contributing Agencies, to Receive Funds for the Purpose of Funding Lucas County Intersystem Care Coordination

• Permission to Waive Impound Fees for Dogs Reclaimed Between Oct. 4-8, 2025

• Permission to Enter into Contract with Buehrer Group Architecture and Engineering for Professional Design Services for the Remediation of Subsurface Moisture Intrusion at the Lucas County Corrections Center, 1622 Spielbusch Avenue, Toledo, Ohio 43604

• Amending the Agreement for Risk Management Services between the Lucas County Commissioners and the Lucas County 9-1-1 Regional Council of Governments

Water Resource Recovery Facility: 

• Permission to Advertise for an Invitation to Bid for a Supplier to provide Liquid Cationic Polymer for the Lucas County Water Resource Recovery Facility

• Permission to Advertise the Application for Domestic Violence Shelter Providers