WARREN — Trumbull County commissioners passed resolutions to send recommendations to U.S. Rep. David P. Joyce, R-Bainbridge, to seek $2,763,000 from Community Project Funds for three projects for the 2026 federal fiscal year appropriation cycle.

The projects include obtaining $500,000 to do a Mosquito Lake Interceptor preliminary engineering study; $1,263,000 to complete the Trumbull County Planning Commission and Recorder archives building, 185 E. Market St.; and $1 million for the Crain Drive Sanitary Sewer project in Weathersfield.

The county was required to turn in its top three recommendations for the 2026 appropriations to the congressman’s office today.

Two commissioners, Denny Malloy and Tony Bernard, agreed the Mosquito Lake Interceptor preliminary engineering project is the most important of the three because the completed study will provide the county a plan on how to place future sewer lines.

Commissioner Rick Hernandez initially wanted to have the top emphasis placed on the rehabilitation of the Planning Commission building, but later agreed they should make the Mosquito Lake Interceptor preliminary engineering project their top priority.

Nicholas Coggins of the Trumbull County Planning Commission on Tuesday asked the commissioners to support the continued rehabilitation of 185 E. Market St., which houses the planning commission and the Trumbull County recorder’s office.

The county already has used $430,000 of the American Rescue Plan funds for the building’s upgrade, including $27,000 for architectural design services; $324,661 for a roof replacement; $19,220 to replace ceiling tiles; and $21,276 for carpet replacement.

“While we were doing the roof, there were several things identified as problems, including windows that are still leaking in our archives room, and a facade that has no mortar between the bricks and the elevator,” he said. “We want to make the building ADA accessible, get the building up to date.”

Coggins said the application includes upgrading security in the building.

CRAIN DRIVE PROJECT

Sanitary Engineer Gary Newbrough said his department is seeking a 0% loan from the state for the $3 million Crain Drive Sanitary Sewer project.

“The worst case scenario is the people living around it (Crain Drive) will pay for the sewers,” Malloy said.

He noted the sanitary sewer department has been looking at extending sewers on properties around the east and west sides of Mosquito Lake.

“We need this study to figure out from an engineering standpoint the most efficient way to provide sewers in this area,” he said.

Malloy, on Tuesday suggested the $500,000 study would begin the county’s effort to get water and sewer around Mosquito Lake.

“We’re never going to get sewer and water around the lake — which means we’re never going to get lodging and we’re never going to get cabins — unless we do the study first,” he said.

“This is the first brick of getting the study to be done,” Malloy said.

Newbrough suggested neither the state nor the federal government will fund multi-million dollar projects unless the county is able to present them with the potential costs.

“If we can get this study done now, it’ll help us in getting future appropriations,” Newbrough said. “This is the first step. We have to get help from the state and federal government to get these projects done.”

Getting new sewer and water lines would help communities, such as Mecca Township, attract new cabins and housing as well as new housing.

“I hope we can get all three projects funded,” Malloy said.