BOCC Approves $179 Million Budget Without Discussion and
Reduces Size of Mental Health and Recovery Services Board
Board of County Commissioners - July 09, 2024
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met at 9:30 am on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH. The meetings are in-person only and there are no recordings for the public. An agenda is available in advance via request to the Commissioners’ Clerk and at the meeting.
Public Comment Policy: Observer Comment: Commissioner Ralph Spidalieri announced at the end of the April 4, 2023 meeting that public comment would be permitted and that a more formal policy would be forthcoming. There was no formal policy introduced today, but public comment was permitted.
Attendance: Present were Commissioners Spidalieri, James Dvorak, and Timothy Lennon. Also present were County Administrator Gerald Morgan, Assistant County Administrator Linda Burhenne, Finance Manager Adrian Gorton, and Commissioners' Clerk Christine Blair.
County Representatives: Shane Hajjar, Deputy Engineer; Jessica Boalt, Director, Department on Aging; Glen Vernick, Maintenance Director and Matt Sieracki, Contract Coordinator, Maintenance; Kathleen Miller, Fiscal Specialist, Water Resources; Gina Hofstetter, Director, Department of Economic and Community Development; Caroline Mansfield, Chief Deputy Treasurer; Christine Lakomiak, Director, Mental Health and Recovery Services (MHRS); Reba Dykes, Department on Aging and MHRS Board member, and Kathleen Hostutler, Human Resource Director.
Others in Attendance: Mara McClain, Account Executive, Sedgwick; Frank Antenucci, Chief Deputy Administrator, ADP; Adam Litke, Administrator, Geauga Public Health and Carolyn Brakey, County Commissioner Candidate and Geauga Public Health Board member; MHRB member Kathy Johnson, Tom Jones, Diane Jones, other members of the public, the press and this LWV observer.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a prayer was offered by Mr. Dvorak.
Minutes: There were no minutes submitted for approval. Observer Comment: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for BOCC are available online through July 9, 2024, for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through May 21, 2024.
Financial Report
Mr. Gorton received approval for the following:
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Appropriation transfer from commercial capital reserve to prepare for future encumbrances
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Cash to General Fund for public assistance quarterly share
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Travel for Auditor, Engineer, JFS, and Veterans Service Commission
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Contract Purchase Order (PO) for Maintenance to Junction Auto for a new 2023 GMC Savannah box truck
Observer Note: No dollar amounts were provided for the above items.
Vouchers:
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$104,105 - Commissioners to Ravenwood Health for their third quarter share for the youth center
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$63,035.29 - Commissioners to Ohio State University - second quarter 2024 charges
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$134,754.40 - Commissioners to Kenny Hoar Construction Co. for work on the Airport Hangar project
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$140,686.84 - from Maintenance to Integrated Precision for upgrades to their Security System.
2025 Annual Tax Budget - The Board executed Resolution #24-135 Adopting the Geauga County 2025 Annual Tax Budget in Accordance with O.R.C. 5705.28 and 5705.29. Approved unanimously
Before the vote, County Finance Manager Adrian Gorton said that at a prior hearing on the Budget the week before, he might have misspoke in terms of the total budget, which is $179 Million. Observer Note: The correct amount of $179 Million was shown on the slide accompanying Mr. Gorton’s presentation. He said he might have said $175 Million.
Mr. Gorton also said that, after the Budget hearing last week, Sheriff Scott Hildebrand notified Mr. Gorton that the fuel expenses might not be accurate. This turned out to be the case. The amount was too high by $172,000. Mr. Gorton said this will change the General Fund expense total. New total is $46,988,230.
The County Engineer’s Office received approval for the following:
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To execute Change Order #1 and final, decreasing the Contract with Ronyak Paving, Inc., for the Asphalt Resurfacing of Claridon-Troy Road (CH-0003, Sections D-E) in Burton and Claridon Townships in the amount of $31,459.40.
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To execute Resolution #24-136 Authorizing James W. Dvorak, Board Member of the Geauga County Board of Commissioners and Chief Executive Officer for Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) Project #CG23AB, to Electronically Execute and Submit the Project Grant / Loan Agreement, Improvement Project for the Riverview Drive Bridge (Structure #BR-0380-00.310) in Bainbridge Township.
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To award the Bid to Ronyak Paving, Inc., for the Asphalt Resurfacing of Auburn Road (CH-004, Sections K-M) in Munson and Newbury Townships in the amount of $678,574.00 as they represented the lowest and best bid. The Bid Bond submitted shall be held to serve as the Performance Bond for this project.
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To award the Bid to Ronyak Paving, Inc., for the Asphalt Resurfacing of Chardon Windsor Road (CH-0013, Sections A-D) in Hambden and Claridon Townships in the amount of $925,545.00 as they represented the lowest and best bid. The Bid Bond submitted shall be held to serve as the Performance Bond for this project.
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To award the Bid to Grade Line, Inc., for the Replacement of the Sperry Road Bridge (Structure #0012-03.590) in Chester Township in the amount of $304,713.50 as they represented the lowest and best bid. The Bid Bond submitted shall be held to serve as the Performance Bond for this project.
The Treasurer’s Office received approval for the following:
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To acknowledge receipt of the estimate from the County Treasurer of the aggregate amount of public moneys in the amount of one hundred million dollars that might be available for public deposit as action moneys at any one time during the next four-year period of October 12, 2024 through October 11, 2028, in accordance with O.R.C. 135.33(A).
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To advertise to notify all eligible institutions that might desire to be designated as public depositories as of the September 10, 2024 date on which the public depository designation(s) will be made by the Board; the estimated amount of active public moneys available for deposit; and the last date and time of August 30, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. on which eligible institutions may submit applications to the Board. Additionally, applications must be received by the Board no earlier than Monday, August 12, 2024 and no later than the deadline of Friday, August 30, 2024. Notifications of the public depository solicitation may also be sent to all eligible institutions in Geauga County and will include an Application Agreement for Public Depositories and other applicable documents. The Public Notice of Selection of Public Depositories of Active Moneys for the Next Succeeding Four-Year Period for Geauga County, Ohio will be published on July 11, 2024 and on the County website.
The Department on Aging received approval to advertise for Bids for Home Care Services: Assistance with Daily Living for Geauga County Residents Age 60 and over who qualify, to be held on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on July 11, 2024, July 18, 2024, and on the County website. Ms. Dykes said that this program serves the most frail seniors and allows them to stay in their homes.
The Community and Economic Development Department received approval to immediately terminate the exemption from taxation granted under the Community Reinvestment Area Agreement to Parkman Properties #30 LLC due to the material failure of Parkman Properties to fulfill its obligation under the Agreement to create 12 new full-time permanent job opportunities, use its best efforts to retain 30 existing full-time equivalent jobs, and generate additional annual payroll and maintain current annual payroll at the Parkman Facility, as required.
Community and Economic Development Director Ms. Hofstetter said that she had learned that the tenant who was to generate the new jobs for which the tax exemption was granted, Water Star, had only been on site for a short time but that the tax exemption had continued. It was a 10-year abatement agreement. Parkman Properties #30 LLC has received $199,000 in reduced taxes since the Agreement went into effect in 2017. Mr. Lennon asked if any of this money could be recouped and Ms. Hofstetter said she would review this with the Prosecutor.
The Commissioners agreed unanimously to end the agreement.
Mr. Lennon and Mr. Dvorak both asked that Ms. Hofstetter follow up with them when she learns if there is any recourse for the taxes that were not paid.
The Maintenance Department received approval to execute the service Contract Agreement with Burns Industrial Equipment, Inc., to perform annual inspections and maintenance on the Maintenance Departments JLG Vertical Mast Lift effective July 9, 2024 through December 31, 2026 in an amount not to exceed $8,000.00.
The Department of Water Resources received approval to abolish their Petty Cash Drawer, containing $100.00, as it is no longer necessary to make change for customers, and to return the $100.00 back to the originating Fund 5002, effective July 9, 2024.
The Commissioners’ Office was requested to approve and execute Resolution #24-137 to Implement a Change in the Board Size of the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board, otherwise known as the Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services (GC-MHRS) to Reduce the Size of the Board from 14 to 12 Members.
Director Lakomiak explained the background of new legislation and outlined the possible numbers for the Board. Director Lakomiak said that Mr. Morgan had attended the last Board meeting and that in the discussion most Board members favored a 12 member board. Mr. Morgan did not make any comments during this presentation. Mr. Spidalieri said why not reduce the Board size to 9. Ms. Lakomiak didn’t know why 12 would be better. She said that the option is up to the Commissioners and that after four years they could change it. Mr. Dvorak said that he liked 12 because it wouldn’t be so abrupt of a change. Ms. Lakomiak said that at this point if they go to 9 there would be no openings, but no one would leave the Board. Mr. Dvorak again said that he thought 12 would be abrupt. Mr Spidalieri said that 12 was an even number and might cause problems getting a vote. Mr. Lennon said that he agreed - he liked the odd number. Mr. Dvorak asked how many people the Commissioners would appoint with a 9 member vote. Ms. Lakomiak said that it would be 6 from the Commissioners and 3 from the State. Ms. Lakomiak said that when there would be openings, the Commissioners would need to ensure that the statutory criteria be met. Another GC-MHRS Board member, Ms. Dykes, spoke from the audience to ask about the impact on the Board’s Committee structure. She said there were four committees and said it would be challenging with only 9 members. She also said that the Board members were leaning towards 12 for the Board size. Mr. Spidalieri asked when the Board size could be changed if the reduced size didn’t work, and Ms. Lakomiak said in four years. Ms. Lakomioak said that no one would be removed right now, but in 2025 one appointment would not be renewed in order to bring the total down to 9. Mr. Lennon agreed with the change in size. He said that it could be hard to get a quorum with 12 or 14. Reviewer Note: The League of Women Voters of Geauga has reported on the GC-MHRS Board for 3 years, and no lack of quorum issues have been noted in any Observer Reports in this time period.
Mr. Lennon said: “I feel that the Board has to get trimmed down to 9.”
Mr. Lennon made the motion to reduce the size to 9 members, and Mr. Spidalieri seconded the motion. They both voted in favor and then Mr. Dvorak said that “in the interests of compromise” he would vote yes as well.
Observer Note: At a recent GC-MHRS Meeting on June 26, 2024, Mr. Morgan attended the meeting to get feedback from the Board about a potential change in size. It is required under new legislation that the Commissioners receive feedback before changing the size of the Board. The options for change under the new law were to: decrease from 14 to either 12 or 9, stay the same size at 14, or increase to 16 members. Board input was generally in favor of a 12-member Board, although some members would have liked either 14 or larger. No mention was made by Mr. Morgan of a 9-member board, and this option was not discussed at the GC-MHRS meeting.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval to appoint Ms. Burhenne, Assistant County Administrator, as a witness pertaining to their Appeal Hearing before the Board of Revision on July 17, 2024, regarding their property located on Cedar Road in Chester Township. It was confirmed that this was the property of the Board of Developmental Disabilities at the Metzenbaum location that was the subject of dispute, originally with Chester Township. Observer Note: See LWV Geauga Report from the February 13, 2024 Board of County Commissioners Meeting for details.
Sedgwick TPA presentation on Group Retrospective Rating Program - Mara McClain, Account Executive for Sedgwick, spoke about Geauga County’s EMR (Experience Modification Rating) Premium Group Retro Rebate History. This rating concerns the history of Worker’s Compensation claims. Ms. McClain said that the Geauga County experience has been very good. She said the goal is to have a rating below 1.00 and that Geauga’s rating was 0.85. Ms. McClain said this was phenomenal. This will lead to savings for the following year as they project that Geauga will have a 0.67 rating for 2025. There is also a group retro payment involved in this, depending on the CCAO group (County Commissioner Association Ohio). $1.4 million in rebates have been issued since 2010. On January 1, 2025, they project $212,000 will be paid to the Bureau in premiums. The group retro target refund would be about $48,000 coming back to the County. Mr. Lennon asked if the increased payroll amount (included in the 2025 Budget approved at this meeting) would impact the amount Geauga will pay. Ms. McClain said that the figures are always a year behind, but she did say that increased payroll will cause an increase in the premium. Ms. McClain offered to get the figures.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval to execute the 2025 Geauga County / County Commissioners Association of Ohio Workers’ Compensation Group Retrospective Rating Plan Agreement and the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Employer Statement for Group-Retrospective-Rating Program between the Geauga County Board of Commissioners and the CCAO Service Corporation.
Not on the Agenda
Dollar General Purchase - Mr. Lennon asked about the status of the purchase of the Dollar General property for the new Senior Center in Chardon. Mr. Lennon said they want to move forward, and he wants the Prosecutor to explain why they are not recommending that the County sign the Agreement. He said that the matter had been listed for an Executive Session the prior meeting but that the Prosecutor didn’t feel it should be in Executive Session. Mr. Dvorak said he had spoken with the Prosecutor and that he would attend the next meeting. He said that the attorney working on this was on vacation this week, but Prosecutor Jim Flaiz and Assistant Prosecutor Laura LaChappelle will attend next week’s meeting. Ms. Blair confirmed that the Prosecutor’s Office had also told her that.
Public Comment
Ms. Diane Jones asked if there had been anything further from Portage County regarding the Juvenile Detention Center. Ms. Blair said she has reached out to Portage several times and has not heard anything. Ms. Blair said she wondered if it would be better if County Administrator Gerry Morgan reached out to the Portage Administrator. Ms. Burhenne stated that documents have been drafted and sent to the Prosecutor for review for both Portage and Lake County as the agreements have to happen at the same time. Observer Note: See LWV Geauga Report for May 21, 2024 for more information. There was also a brief discussion of another matter with Portage County which was raised before and that was an overage of approximately $200,000 that was paid by Geauga and that Portage had agreed to refund. Mr. Spidalieri noted that this has gone on for 8 weeks.
Meeting adjourned.
More Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: The next two meetings following this meeting will be July 16, 2024 and July 23, 2024, both at 9:30 am at the Geauga County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH.
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor: Anne Ondrey
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: 7/15/24
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