Erie County asks cities to join sewer regionalization study

Letters sent to Vermilion, Huron and Sandusky

SANDUSKY — Erie County officials are taking the next step on a key recommendation from the Blue Ribbon Commission’s final report, released in June, by gauging interest in a countywide feasibility study on water and sewer regionalization.

The city built a water works that pumped water into a standpipe using two Worthington steam engines. Water was first supplied on September 21, 1876. The outer standpipe was 180 feet high and 25 feet in diameter, with a second, high service standpipe inside, 229 feet high and 3 feet in diameter.. Source: waterworks history.us

County Administrator Hank Solowiej sent letters this week to Huron and Vermilion officials inviting them to participate. Local governments that join the effort would share in the cost of the study, and also play a role in drafting a request for proposals, interviewing and evaluating firms, and selecting a consultant.

Solowiej asked for responses by noon Sept. 5.

“A regionalized water and sewer district presents significant opportunities for cost savings through shared resources, streamlined operations, and coordinated infrastructure investment,” Solowiej wrote.

Blue Ribbon Commission background

The Erie County Blue Ribbon Commission was formed in 2024 at the direction of county commissioners to conduct a comprehensive review of taxing authorities and spending practices. Its mission: to find long-term efficiencies that could protect services while easing the pressure for future tax increases.

The commission, which included business leaders, finance professionals and public officials, met weekly four the first six months of this year studying local budgets, interviewing stakeholders and comparing Erie County’s structure with regional models across Ohio.

Its final report outlined dozens of recommendations. Some focused on back-office efficiencies and purchasing cooperation, while others, like Recommendation 3.1, called for larger structural changes such as regional water and sewer management.

What regionalization could mean

Currently, water and sewer services in Erie County are provided by a patchwork of municipal utilities, township arrangements and county systems. Advocates for regionalization say merging these services could lower long-term costs, improve infrastructure planning and make the county more competitive for state and federal funding.

County commissioners have not yet committed to forming a regional authority, but they describe the feasibility study as a necessary first step. Commissioner Matt Old called the report a roadmap. Old, particularly, has emphasized the need to find ways to reduce the tax burden on residents by reducing the cost of government and lowering property taxes.

Next steps

If enough jurisdictions express interest by the Sept. 5 deadline, Erie County could move forward with hiring a consultant before the end of the year. The study would likely assess legal, financial, and operational models for creating a regional water and sewer district, along with projected cost savings and potential governance structures.

Sandusky city commissioner Dennis Murray Jr. has already expressed skepticism about whether a regional system could benefit city residents. City commissioner Jeff Krabill served on the Blue Ribbon Committee and approved the recommendation that a regional approach be studied.

Murray opposes regional water district proposal for Sandusky

The Blue Ribbon Commission’s final report is available at StayTunedSandusky.com and at the county’s website.