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Budget Commission Officially Certifies Geauga County’s 2025 Budget & 

Considers Future Changes to the Undivided Local Government Fund Allocation

Budget Commission Hearings – September 16, 2024

Meeting Details: The Geauga County Budget Commission met in Regular Session on Monday, September 16, 2024 at 10:00 am in the Auditor's Conference Room, 215 Main Street, Chardon, Ohio. The meeting was in person with a virtual option via MS Teams.  

Meeting Attendance: Auditor Chuck Walder, Prosecutor Jim Flaiz, and Chief Deputy Treasurer Caroline Mansfield (substituting for Treasurer Chris Hitchcock). 

Staff Attendance: Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kristen Rine (virtual), Chief Deputy Auditor Ron Leyde, and Deputy Auditors Tammy Most and Kristen Sinatra.

County Staff: Budget and Finance Manager Adrian Gorton (virtual). 

Members of the Public: This LWV Geauga Observer (virtual).

The meeting was called to order at 10:01 am.

Minutes: Minutes from the Special Meetings on August 19, 20, 26 and 30, 2024 were all approved and are available here.

The following Revenue Certifications were approved:

• Berkshire Local Schools - Amendment #2. $25,219,527.21 in the general fund, $4,296,365.17 in special revenue funds, $1,613,391.28 in debt service funds, $1,853,171.91 in capital project funds, $882,819.29 in enterprise funds, $428,653.33 in internal service funds, and $191,173.66 in fiduciary funds for a total of $34,485,101.85. Appropriations do not exceed revenue.

Berkshire’s amendment reflected an increase of $964,241.80 in special revenue funds as well as an increase of $20,000 in the capital project construction fund.

• Russell Township - Amendment #5. $2,468,716.93 in the general fund, $9,992,428.58 in special revenue funds, and $2,729,783.65 in capital project funds for a total of $15,190,929.16. Appropriations do not exceed revenue.

Russell’s amendment certified $370,905 from a new Strategic Community Investment Grant in the special revenue fund.

• Chester Township - Amendment #6. $3,123,738.19 in the general fund, $12,174,401.64 in special revenue funds, $5,032.00 in capital project funds, and $13,011.99 in special assessment funds for a total of $15,316,183.82. Appropriations do not exceed revenue.

Chester’s amendment reflected a $5,000 increase in the cemetery special revenue fund.

• Thompson Township - Amendment #5. $420,415.34 in the general fund, $1,759,292.14 in special revenue funds, $140.56 in debt service funds, $150,000.00 in capital project funds, and $1,831.69 in special assessment funds for a total of $2,331,679.73. Appropriations do not exceed revenue.

Thompson’s amendment adjusted their beginning cash balance because they voided a $15 check from the prior year.

• Montville Township - Amendment #5. $382,466.50 in the general fund, $1,527,491.04 in special revenue funds, $1,455,000.00 in capital project funds, and $215.65 in fiduciary funds for a total of $3,365,173.19. Appropriations do not exceed revenue.

Montville’s amendment certified $1,250,000 in revenue from a new grant to be used for permanent improvement capital projects

• Geauga Public Health - Amendment #4. $3,048,800.74 in the general fund and $4,883,184.74 in special revenue funds for a total of $7,931,985.48.

Geauga Public Health’s amendment reflected an increase of $135,000 in the special revenue fund.

The Budget Commission also acknowledged Geauga Public Health’s: 1) seven appropriations transfers, which were just adjusting money between funds with no change in amount, and 2) three supplemental appropriations: $200,000 in the general fund, $34,681 in the infectious waste fund, and $4,500 in the environmental health assistance fund.

• Geauga County - Amendment #8. $54,612,226.17 in the general fund, $123,469,201.24 in special revenue funds, $5,572,596.38 in debt service funds, $1,256,502.32 in special assessment funds, $30,046,581.61 in capital project funds, $16,711,930.52 in enterprise funds, $1,449,886.67 in internal service funds, and $4,138,083.61 in fiduciary funds for a total of $237,257,008.52.

Geauga County’s amendment certified an increase of $209,000 in the mental health capital reserve fund.

Mr. Walder and Ms. Mansfield voted for this revenue certification, while Mr. Flaiz voted against it. Mr. Flaiz questioned “What do they need all that money for… what’s the plan? Is there a reserve study?” Mr. Walder said he was unaware of any reserve study.

• Geauga County - Certificate of Estimate Resources for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2005.  $57,100,598.10 in the general fund, $98,247,720.91 in special revenue funds, $5,559,908.38 in debt service funds, $1,257,257.32 in special assessment funds, $13,285,665.53 in capital project funds, $50,810,381.94 in enterprise funds, $1,542,627.67 in internal service funds, and $4,142,592.61 in fiduciary funds for a total of $231,946,752.46.

This action officially certifies the County’s 2025 revenue and reflects the modifications made to the County’s 2025 Budget that were approved at the August 30, 2024 Budget Commission Meeting.

Discussion

The Budget Commissioners discussed changing the Undivided Local Government (ULG) fund allocation. Observer Note: This matter was also discussed at the August 30, 2024 Budget Commission Meeting (see the link above), which the County Commissioners also attended. Currently, the County receives 38% of ULG funds, and other entities receive an allocation determined by a population-based formula, with a $15,000 guaranteed minimum. Mr. Flaiz expressed interest in reducing the County’s share: “Zero to County and then redistributing it (ULG funds) according to the formula.” Mr. Walder said that this is possible, but it is too late to make any changes to the ULG fund formula this year. Mr. Flaiz stated he would like to submit the changed ULG allocation to the County at the beginning of 2025. The Budget Commissioners planned to take action on changing the ULG allocation in December 2024.

Public Comment

• This observer requested copies of all documents from the meeting and notified the Budget Commissioners about upcoming LWVG events that may be of interest to them as well as the general public. These events include:

  • Voter Education Program “Proud of the Process” provided jointly by LWVG and the Geauga Board of Elections on September 18 at 6:30 pm at the Geauga County Library Administration Center, 12701 Ravenwood Dr. Chardon, OH 44024.

  • LWVG Candidate Forums on 1) September 30 at 6:30 pm at Kenston High School and 2) October 3 at 6:30 pm at Berkshire High School.

Mr. Walder said: “I appreciate what the league has been doing these last five years with holding these candidates’ nights and these nights for people to promote levies and why the levy is needed. I think the better the education to the voters, the better the vote outcome is.”

• Mr. Gorton asked for clarification on whether or not the County’s amendment regarding the mental health capital reserve fund passed. Mr. Walder confirmed that it had. Mr. Gorton also inquired if the County Commissioners would receive new rate resolutions to sign off on. Mr. Walder said that they would.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 am

Next Meeting: The next regular meeting will be Monday, September 30, 2024 at 10:00 am in the Auditor's Conference Room, 215 Main Street, Chardon, Ohio. 

Observer: Sarah McGlone

Editor & Reviewer: Gail Roussey

Submitted: 9/23/24

The League of Women Voters of Geauga is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. They do not support or oppose individual candidates or parties. Learn more about the LWVG at www.lwvgeauga.org.