Courthouse to get sound upgrade

staff report

YOUNGSTOWN — Mahoning County commissioners have approved a $112,831 contract with CR Electric Inc. of Liberty Township for an upgrade of the sound and security systems in the century-old county courthouse.

The upgrade will feature improved sound equipment, including larger speakers for public events in the courthouse rotunda, said Anthony T. Traficanti, chairman of the county commissioners.

The existing small floor-level speakers at the base of the light posts make it difficult for a rotunda audience to hear what is being said at public events, he noted.

Traficanti declined to comment on the security-related portions of the upgrade.

The Ohio Supreme Court is considering rules that would require courthouses throughout the state to upgrade their security measures, and the courthouse here has been undergoing a complete security assessment this year.

In the first upgrade, the county common pleas judges here said in April that they would restrict county employees’ electronic swipe-card access to the building.

On Thursday, the commissioners also awarded contracts to Foust Construction Inc. of Girard for culvert replacements on Sharrott and Pine Lake roads at costs of $84,760 and $12,576, respectively.

The next county commissioners’ meeting will be at 5 p.m. Thursday at Sebring City Hall, 135 E. Ohio Ave.