WARREN — Trumbull County Commissioner Rick Hernandez sought to revisit a vote on a resolution approved by his two fellow commissioners to allow Palmer Energy Co. of Toledo to represent the county in seeking the best possible prices for electric and gas.

Commissioners Denny Malloy and Tony Bernard voted last Wednesday to allow Palmer Energy, which is working with the County Commissioners Association of Ohio, to seek lower prices for electric and gas through a nearly statewide aggregation program.

Hernandez abstained from last week’s vote because he, at the time, was uncomfortable voting on an aggregation program without hearing from other area companies.

“I believe it is in the best interest of the commissioners to accept additional bids or proposals for aggregation,” Hernandez said. “We need to give those that also want to give others, such as Buckeye Energy or NOPEC, the opportunity to participate and an opportunity to quote.”

Malloy defended bringing the aggregation plan to a vote last week.

“I think we did the right thing,” Malloy said. “This was a two-year process we went through. We had a previous provider. We are being lobbied. I’m not going to be lobbied by anybody.”

He noted county commissioners from across the state will decide on what the options are and provide Trumbull the best option from a nonprofit board of directors.

“I think we made the best decision last week,” Malloy said. “There is strength in buying power.”

Hernandez described them voting to allow Palmer Energy to represent Trumbull County without providing them a rate for the energy.

“The rates are forthcoming,” Malloy responded.

“It is like giving them a blank check,” Hernandez said.

Bernard questioned whether they can accept proposals from everybody.

“I think that’s the fair way of doing it,” he said. “But I also agree with the county commissioner association. We are a part of it. There are 55 to 60 other counties in the state that use the CCAO for buying power.”

Bernard said he wants the best rate for Trumbull County.

“I have faith in the County Commissioner Association of Ohio,” he continued.

Malloy noted that whatever program they agree to participate in, the cost of buying energy will be higher next year than it is today.

“We’ve looked at the market, and rates have gone up,” Malloy said. “It will be higher than it was before. People are going to be upset as their electric bills go up.”

Bernard noted that no one will be required to participate in whatever aggregation program the county decides to join.

“No one is locked into this,” he said. “As a citizen you can go on your own. A township can go on its own to seek the rates. It is difficult when you really don’t know what the rates are going to be.”