Auditor Foregoes Office Upgrades to Save Taxpayers Money
Board of County Commissioners Meeting - September 16, 2025
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met in Regular Session on Tuesday September 16, 2025 for a meeting at the Geauga County Office 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 September 16, 2025 meeting recording can be found here. As of this report’s publication date, this video has been viewed 164 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: Charles (Chuck) Walder, Auditor; Richard Blamer, Manager, Geauga Airport; Linda Crombie, Director, Planning Department; Chuck Tkach, Program Manager, Maintenance Department; Glen Vernick, Director, Maintenance Department; Liz Rubino, Contract Coordinator, Maintenance; Nick Gorris, Director, Water Resources.
Others in Attendance: Amily Imbrogno, Attorney, Meyers, Roman, Friedberg and Lewis; Frank Antenucci, Chief Deputy Administrator, ADP (Automatic Data Processing); Maximus Yost, Communications Intern; County residents Diane and Tom Jones; Anastasia Nicholas, Chagrin Valley Times reporter; Allison Wilson, Geauga Maple Leaf reporter; members of the public, and this Observer.
5:34 Min. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a prayer was offered by Mr. Dvorak.
Minutes - Minutes were submitted for approval for July 1, 2025 and July 8, 2025. Mr. Dvorak had briefly left the meeting, so the remaining two commissioners voted to approve the minutes. Observer Note: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for BOCC are available online through September 16, 2025 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through June 24, 2025.
6:28 Min. Administrator’s Report - Ms. Bevan reported on the following:
8:09 Min. Financial Report - The following Financials were approved as discussed by Finance Manager Adrian Gorton:
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Transfer from the Commissioners’ miscellaneous operating transfers accounts for 911 and 800 megahertz into the capital transfers account.
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Supplemental from the Treasurer's Office into the general fund advertising expense account.
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Cash transfers from the general fund Commissioners’ miscellaneous levy reimbursement account to JFS (Job and Family Services) children’s services transfer account for the second half payment. Observer Note: Last year, the Commissioners decided to forego collection on the JFS levy, and these payments to JFS from the Commissioners are necessary to make up those funds to JFS for not collecting on that levy.
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Travel encumbrance from JFS to attend the Ohio Child Support Professional Association fall training.
Vouchers:
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$288,450 from the Engineer’s Office to Miller Brothers LLC for the construction of the new salt storage building.
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$50,000 for the maintenance office for additional postage for the mail.
10 Min. The Airport Authority received approval for Reimbursement Request #4 for the Taxiway Extension Construction Project, specifically to Construct Parallel Taxiway A including Taxiway Connector A1 and A2 – Construction, Final Phase and Install Taxiway Edge Lights – Construction, Grant #3-39-0054-028-2024 in the amount of $1,106,794.00 (FAA Share $996,114.60, ODOT Share $55,339.70 and Local County match share $55,339.70).
Mrs. Brakey questioned Manager Blamer about a change order that she noticed in their quarterly report. She asked who paid for the change order, and Mr. Blamer said that ODOT doesn’t pay after the initial amount is approved. Mrs. Brakey asked why the Geauga Airport wouldn’t pay for the change order, and Mr. Blamer said that they didn’t have the funds. Mrs. Brakey also asked why the Commissioners weren’t advised of the change order in advance, and Mr. Blamer indicated that the construction company didn’t notify the Airport. Mrs. Brakey offered a motion to table the above action until the Airport responds to her concerns. There was no second. Mr. Spidalieri made a motion to approve the payment. Mr. Dvorak seconded the motion but stated that better communication was needed. Motion approved, with Mrs. Brakey voting no and Mr. Dvorak and Mr. Spidalieri voting yes.
Mr. Blamer said that there would be a pancake breakfast at the Airport on Saturday (9/20). He also mentioned the ribbon cutting at 10 am on Wednesday, September 24th. See motion of the Commissioners below.
19:20 Min. The Planning Commission received approval to execute the Final Plat for Church Subdivision, Replat of Sublot 12 and Part of Sublots 11 and 13, creating Sublot 12R in Bainbridge Township.
20:11 Min. The Maintenance Department received approval to advertise for Bids for the Snowplowing, Salting and / or cindering of Geauga County Parking Lots – Chardon Area, including: 1. County Offices (470 Center Street), 2. Courthouse, 3. Courthouse Annex, 4. Parking Lot (208 East Park Street,) and 5. East Park Office Complex for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 seasons. Bids to be received on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 2:00 pm. Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on September 19, 2025, September 26, 2025 and on the County website.
The Maintenance Department received approval for the following:
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A revised Organizational Chart to include two (2) additional positions of Custodian (#1906) to be effective September 16, 2025.
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To advertise for the additional positions of Custodian (#1906). These positions will remain posted until they are filled. Mrs. Brakey asked where these positions are being advertised, and Mr. Vernick said it will be on their website and on Indeed. Mrs. Brakey asked how many open custodian positions there were, and Mr. Vernick said four.
24:52 Min. The Maintenance Department received approval to award the Bid to Ohio Paving and Construction Company, Incorporated for the Geauga County Safety Center Parking Lot Repaving in the amount of $847,682.65, as they represented the lowest and best bid. Mrs. Brakey noted that this was significantly below the estimate, and Mr. Tkach said, “It appears to be a big win.” Mr. Dvorak asked Mr. Tkach to ensure that the company is complying with the drug-free workplace requirements.
27:22 Min. The Department of Water Resources received approval to authorize Ralph Spidalieri, authorized representative, to execute the Request for Partial Payment #3 for Shook Construction Company for the McFarland Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements project in the amount of $1,412,241.15 and execute the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) Contractor’s Estimate and the OWDA Fund Payment Request #3 in the amount of $1,412,241.15.
Mr. Gorris said the improvements are 16-17% complete. He also said that the new portion should be operational next summer, and the entire project complete by Summer 2027. He said that the new portion has to be up and running before they can start to shut down the old section.
29 Min. The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the following:
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To execute Resolution #25-179 Tenth - Amended Resolution Approving the Use of County Credit Cards for the Year 2025 and Updating Staff and Card Information for Job and Family Services, Department on Aging and Department of Emergency Services N.K.A. (Now Known As) Emergency Management Agency staff as further described in tenth amended exhibit A.
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To execute the Application for Authorization to permit the use of County Credit Cards for Job and Family Services, addition of employees on the Wright Express Fleet Card, 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 amended Letter of Representation: Outside Counsel with Meyers, Roman, Friedberg and Lewis for the Year 2025 in an amount not to exceed $25,000.00, unless prior approval by the Board. Ms. Bevan said this was a change that states that Ms. Bevan will get the consensus of the Commissioners to engage outside counsel.
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To execute Resolution #25-180 to schedule and hold a Special Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners for a Ribbon Cutting and Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Geauga County Airport – Parallel Taxiway and T-Hangars.
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To execute Resolution #25-181 Honoring Family Pride of Northeast Ohio on its 20th Anniversary.
34:52 Min. Auditor Walder withdrew his request for public funds to renovate the Auditor’s Office’s fiscal workspace and bathroom addition as well as the basement conference initiatives.
Mr. Walder said that he was concerned about the long-term effects of both State level and grassroots efforts to limit property taxes. He said this will affect both the County and any agencies that operate under the County. He said that taxpayers have been saying what they want, but that they are also feeling that they are not being heard.
He said he wanted to be proactive and mentioned three projects for which he had gotten approval:
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Bathroom in the Auditor’s Office.
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Modernizing the budget and payroll area to provide a “bullpen” area for more privacy.
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Renovate the basement to be used as a conference room for Budget Commission and ADP and room for other meetings.
Mr. Walder said that taxpayers are looking at “want” versus “ need”, and after he reviewed these projects he thought they tipped more towards “want” than “need.” Therefore, he was asking to put these three initiatives on permanent hold. He further said that if there is a matter of safety or security, then he would come to the Commissioners. The three projects were not matters of safety or security, he said.
Mrs. Brakey asked how much the projects would have cost, and Mr. Walder said he estimated a million dollars.
Mrs. Brakey asked if the money could be given back to taxpayers. Mr. Gordon responded that the paving of the Safety Center parking lot approved today will take all the resources.
Mrs. Brakey talked about several ways that the Commissioners could help taxpayers.
Mr. Walder said that they could change the Homestead Exemption or suppress a levy. Mr. Walder said, “we are on our mark with sales taxes” and “we are still performing.” He said that all the departments are doing okay and the County is fortunate to be in such a good position.
Mrs. Brakey said that she thought they should explore the options available to them to reduce taxes. Mr. Dvorak agreed that they should look at options.
Mrs. Brakey said that they should look at the Homestead Exemption and owner-occupied reduction.
Mr. Dvorak said he also wanted to look at farmers and the CAUV (Current Agricultural Use Value). Observer Note: CAUV is a program that reduces property valuation for property used in agriculture. See more information here.
Mr. Walder said that he has to set the tax rate by November, so there is a time issue. Any changes would need to be made before then.
49 Min. Board Discussion – Mrs. Brakey said she wondered about having public comment on the agenda at the beginning of the meeting. Mr. Dvorak asked for clarification, and Mrs. Brakey said her idea is to have public comment on the agenda at the beginning and then at the end. Mr. Spidalieri said “I mean, I’ve always been supportive of the public being engaged in the entire meeting.”
Ms. Bevan said, “So, okay, we can explore that. Absolutely.”
50:58 Min. Public Comment
This Observer noted that school boards in the County use a system of both permitting public comment on the Agenda at the beginning and general public comment at the end. Mrs. Brakey said that NOACA (Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency) also has public comment on the Agenda and then later for general comments.
Mrs. Diane Jones asked Mrs. Brakey about the sub-contractor bond issue in regards to the courthouse expansion. Mrs. Brakey said that Mrs. Jones was correct and that they should have been doing the bond on the pre-bonded subtotal from the subcontractor instead of the grand total from the subcontractor. She said she hoped to see a change order reduction. Mrs. Jones thanked Mrs. Brakey.
A South Russell Village resident said that POW (Prisoner of War) and MIA (Missing in Action) day is later this week on Thursday, September 18.
Min. Meeting adjourned at 10:18 am.
Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: The next Regular Meeting of the BOCC will be on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at 9:30 am at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH.
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor: Rooney Moy
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: September 20, 2025
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