Assistant County Administrator Linda Burhenne Resigns,
New Deputy County Administrator Position Created
Board of County Commissioners Meeting - August 5, 2025
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met in Regular Session on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at 9:30 am for a meeting at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH. Meetings can be live streamed through the Geauga ADP Youtube channel. Recordings are available for the public. The August 5, 2025 meeting recording can be found here. As of the date of publication this video has been viewed 87 times. Notations in the report refer to the minute notation on the video for a particular section. An agenda is available in advance via request to the Commissioners’ Clerk and at the meeting. Items discussed at the meeting but not on the agenda, if any, are addressed at the end of this report.
Public Comment Policy: Permitted as outlined in the BOCC’s Public Comment Policy that was adopted on January 28, 2025 and revised on April 15, 2025. Observer Note: The above link to the Policy does not have the revision, which was simply to change the time allowed for public comment from two minutes to three minutes.
Attendance: Present were Commissioners Carolyn Brakey, James Dvorak and Ralph Spidalieri. Also present were Commissioners’ Clerk Christine Blair, County Administrator Amy Bevan, and Finance Manager Adrian Gorton.
County Representatives: Frank Antenucci, Chief Deputy Administrator, ADP; Richard Blamer, Manager, Geauga County Airport Authority; Shane Hajjar, Deputy Engineer, Engineer’s Department; Jim Flaiz, Geauga County Prosecutor; Sheriff Hildenbrand, Sheriff; Tom Rowan, Chief Deputy Sheriff; Craig Swenson, Executive Director, Job and Family Services; Charles Tkatch, Program Manager, Maintenance; Glen Vernick, Director, Maintenance
Others in Attendance: Bryan Kostura, Representative, McDonald Hopkins LLC; Nick Gorris, Director, Water Resources; County residents Tom and Diane Jones, other members of the public and press, and this Observer.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a prayer was offered by Mr. Dvorak.
Minutes - Minutes from the meeting of June 17, 2025 were approved. Observer Note: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for BOCC are available online through August 5, 2025 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through April 1, 2025.
5:19 Min. Administrator’s Report - Ms. Bevan Reported:
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Approved a Supplemental Appropriation from the Auditors Unclaimed Money Fund to allow for additional distributions.
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Approved hiring of a part time Adult Day Services Assistant for the Department on Aging.
6:30 Min. Financial Report - Mr. Gorton received approval for the following:
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Supplemental Appropriation from Commissioners Building Improvement Fund for the Hill (Chardon Square) projects expense account to set aside appropriations to cover the remodel of the Prosecutor's Office.
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Cash transfer from the general fund to the Sheriff's Office Law Enforcement Block Grant Fund for the local match amount on grant 2024-JG-A03-47070 for additional flock camera installations.
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Travel for ADP Board, Engineer’s Office and Job and Family Services.
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Then and Now from Common Pleas Court to Ohio Alcohol Monitoring Systems LLC for services from October 2024 that were not previously encumbered.
Vouchers
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$58,500 from the Auditor's Office to DSRI, Incorporated for the annual licensing agreement for GIS (Geographic Information Systems) mapping software and support.
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$34,629 from the Commissioners’ office to NOACA for fiscal year 2026 membership dues for July 2025-June 2026.
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$467,044.87 from the Engineer’s Office to Ronyak Paving Inc for the asphalt resurfacing of Clay Street, Leggett Road and Auburn Road.
The Auditor’s Office requested that the Board accept, execute and file the monthly Statement of County Finances filed by the County Auditor for the months of May and June 2025, pursuant to O.R.C. 319.35. Motion approved.
The Treasurer’s Office requested the Board accept, execute and file the monthly Statement of County Finances filed by the County Treasurer for the months of May and June 2025, pursuant to O.R.C. 319.35. Motion approved.
9:21 Min The Commissioners’ Office received approval to authorize the President of the Board to execute the Request for Partial Payment #22 for Infinity Construction Company, Incorporated for the Geauga County Courthouse Expansion GMP Phase #1 and #2 expenses in the amount of $950,590.72. Observer Note: This Resolution was tabled at the BOCC meeting on July 29, 2025 due to an inquiry from Ms. Brakey about change orders. Mr. Gorton assured the Board that the request for payment was reviewed by both Then Design Architects and the engineering firm NV5.
The Automatic Data Processing (ADP) Board received approval to execute Resolution #25-157 to grant them approval to enter into an Agreement with the Legislative Authority of the Township of Parkman, Geauga County, Ohio to provide microfilming, automatic data processing or other imaging processing or electronic data processing or record keeping services.
11:17 Min The Airport Authority received approval to execute Resolution #25-158 Authorizing the President of the Geauga County Board of Commissioners to execute electronically and submit the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Grant Offer for Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) Grant #3-39-0054-029-2025 for the Construction of a T-Hangar in the amount of $585,000.00.
Discussion followed. Ms. Brakey asked the other Commissioners if they had reviewed the grant and the conditions that have to be met. They said they did. She stated that, after her review of the conditions, she had questions and asked Mr. Blamer about the policies and procedures that they had in place to ensure their compliance. Mr. Blamer stated that, “there were a couple of new provisions which we're working at complying with but, to the best of our knowledge, we are OK.” He assured her that it was their intention to make sure that this gets done and to not ask for any additional funds. The resolution was approved by a vote of 2-1, with Ms. Brakey voting no.
The County Engineer’s Office received approval for Board acknowledgement of the recommendation to post load limits on Owen Road for Structure #GEA-T0219-0033 in Parkman Township for an Emergency Vehicle weight limit as follows: 2 AXLE – 28T, 3 AXLE – 36T, and post load limits on Pioneer Road for Structure #GEA-T0116-0092 in Huntsburg Township for an Emergency Vehicle weight limit as follows: 2 AXLE – 28T, 3 AXLE – 41.
17:32 Min The Prosecutor’s Office received permission from the Board to advertise for bids for the Geauga County Prosecutor’s Office Renovation Project. The bidding will be held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 2:15 pm. Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on August 8, 2025, August 15, 2025 and on the County website.
23:14 Min The Sheriff’s Office received approval for the following:
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To execute the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) Subgrant Award Agreement for the Stop Violence Against Women (VAWA) Grant #2024-WF-VA5-70318 in the amount of $80,001.33 ($60,000.00 from OCJS, $20,001.33 local County match). This grant is for the period January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025.
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To execute the First Amendment to the Purchased Services Agreement between the Geauga County Board of Commissioners and University Hospitals Health System, Incorporated to provide Physician Services to the Inmates at the Safety Center and to increase the hourly rate for Doctors and Physicians Assistant for an amount not to exceed of $77,250.00 per calendar year. This is a renewal, and Sheriff Hildenbrand stated that the costs had increased significantly. He also stated that ICE pays for the detainees’ medical expenses.
26:38 Min. The Department of Job and Family Services received approval for the following:
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Acknowledgement and receipt of the Certificate of Estimated Property Tax Revenue regarding the renewal of a 0.7 Mill levy for any operations or capital improvement expenditure necessary for the support of children services and care and placement of children.
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To execute Resolution #25-159 Declaring it Necessary to Levy a Tax in Excess of the Ten Mill Limitation and to provide for the Necessary Requirements of the Geauga County Department of Job and Family Services per O.R.C. 5705.07 and 5705.24.
The Maintenance Department received approval for the following:
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Permission to advertise for bids for the Safety Center Parking Lot Repavement to be held on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at 2:00 pm.
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Creation, title and job description for the position of HVAC Technician (#1928) to be effective August 5, 2025.
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For the addition of second Project Manager (#1927) position to be effective August 5, 2025.
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To revise the Organizational Chart to include the new position of HVAC Technician (#1928) and the second Project Manager (#1927) positions to be effective August 5, 2025.
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Permission to advertise for the position of HVAC Technician (#1928). This position will remain posted until filled.
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Permission to advertise for the position of Project Manager (#1927). This position will remain posted until filled.
40:40 Min. The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the following:
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To execute Resolution #25-160 Eighth Amended Resolution Approving the Use of County Credit Cards for the Year 2025 to include for the Dog Warden, a Geauga Credit Union Visa Card, and update employees (add/remove) in the Commissioners’ Office and Maintenance Departments, pursuant to O.R.C. 301.27.
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To authorize the President of the Board to execute the Application for Authorization to permit the use of County Credit Cards for the Commissioners’ Office to add / remove employees for use of the Geauga Credit Union Visa, for the Year 2025, pursuant to O.R.C. 301.27.
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To authorize the President of the Board to execute the Application for Authorization to permit the use of County Credit Cards for the Dog Warden, for use of the Geauga Credit Union Visa, for the Year 2025, pursuant to O.R.C. 301.27.
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To authorize the President of the Board to execute the Application for Authorization to permit the use of County Credit Cards for Maintenance to add /remove employees for use of the Home Depot Commercial, for the Year 2025, pursuant to O.R.C. 301.27.
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To accept the resignation of Linda Burhenne, Assistant County Administrator, to be effective August 16, 2025. The Commissioners wished her well and thanked her for her contributions to the County over the years.
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Creation, title and job description for the position of Deputy County Administrator (#1324) to be effective August 5, 2025.
Ms. Bevan spoke about the reason for the job title change from Assistant Administrator to Deputy Administrator. She said this will be an executive level position, and they are looking for an experienced professional with background that will support the Commissioners. She also recited the job description (available here).
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To revise the Organizational Chart to include the new position of Deputy County Administrator (#1324) effective August 5, 2025 and remove the Assistant County Administrator position effective August 17, 2025.
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To grant permission to advertise for the position of Deputy County Administrator (#1324). This position will remain posted until filled.
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To authorize the President of the Board to execute the Letter of Engagement with McDonald Hopkins LLC for General Services Retainer Program for the Year 2025 in an amount not to exceed $25,000.00 unless prior approval is given by the Board.
The arrangement with McDonald Hopkins Law Firm was approved, with Mr. Spidalieri abstaining. He stated that he was never really briefed on what exactly this was going to involve. Ms. Bevan addressed his concern. She stated that it would be a secondary general services council and thought it best to have in place now in case it is needed. She stated that they had asked the Commissioners for their input and pursued this after it was brought up. Bryan Kostura from McDonald Hopkins spoke and gave some background on the firm and on some of their services.
Board Discussion:
Ms. Bevan presented two additional options for the dedication plaque for the new Courthouse. There are now six options to choose from. The Board will look them over and come back with a decision next week. Observer Note: This item was tabled at the July 29 meeting after the Board was unable to come to a consensus on a plaque design. For more details, see the LWVG Observer Report on this meeting here.
Public Comment:
Ms. Bevan stated that they now have a microphone which will allow those making public comments to speak from the audience.
A reporter from Chagrin Valley Times asked for clarification on the McDonald Hopkins retainer. She stated “Does this have anything to do with Judge Grendell’s lawsuit?” Ms. Brakey stated that “it does not.” The reporter also asked if there was any update on the lawsuit that was filed against the County by Judge Grendell. Ms. Brakey stated that she thinks the case has been submitted to their insurer, CORSA.
Meeting adjourned at approximately 10:21 am.
Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: The next two Regular Meetings of the BOCC will be on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 and Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at 9:30 am at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH.
Observer: Mary Heintzelman
Editor: Rooney Moy
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: August 11, 2025
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