New Deputy County Administrator Hired
Board of County Commissioners Meeting - October 7, 2025
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met in Regular Session on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 9:30 am 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 October 7, 2025 meeting recording can be found here. As of this report’s publication date, this video has been viewed 195 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, revised on April 15, 2025, and again modified on September 30, 2025. Observer Note: The above link to the Policy does not have the April or September revisions. The April revision was simply to change the time allowed for public comment from two minutes to three minutes. The revision approved on September 30 also allows public comment on the Agenda items at the beginning of the meeting.
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: Matthew Granito, Dog Warden; Shane Hajjar, Deputy Engineer; Nick Gorris, Director, Water Resources; Judge Carolyn Pashke; Jennifer Murray, Representative from TDA; Randy Taylor, Magistrate; Mark Jimison, Deputy County Administrator (appointed at this meeting); Megan Ericson, Geauga County Benefits Specialist; Kathy Hostutler, Human Resources Administrator; Adam Litke, Department of Public Health Administrator
Others in Attendance: Frank Antenucci, Chief Deputy Administrator, ADP (Automatic Data Processing); 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.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a prayer was offered by Mr. Dvorak.
Administrator’s Report - Ms. Bevan reported on the following:
Accepted the resignation of the McFarland Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor and the hiring of a maintenance worker in the Maintenance Department.
Minutes - Minutes were approved for August 12, 2025. Observer Note: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for BOCC are available online through October 7, 2025 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through August 5, 2025.
6:47 Min. Public Comment - According to the Amended Public Comment Policy, individuals can question an item appearing on the meeting’s agenda. In order to comment, individuals are asked to sign in and wait to be called upon, begin by stating their full name and address, will have up to three minutes to comment or ask a question, and are kindly asked to refrain from disorderly or disruptive conduct.
The Dog Warden offered a public comment, although his department was not on the Agenda. He had a canine guest with him who was recently abandoned. He thanked the Commissioners for all of their support, and he said that he will be presenting the new and exciting happenings within his Department at a future meeting.
10:29 Min. Financial Report - The following Financials were approved as discussed by Finance Manager Adrian Gorton:
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Supplemental from ADP in the Computer Improvement Fund Equipment account to cover 2025 purchases
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Supplemental from the Prosecutor’s Office to the Delinquent Tax Fee Fund Contract Services for a portion of the office security and remodel funds
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Cash transfer from Public Assistance for the October-December 2025 mandated share
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Travel - Auditor’s Office, Public Defender, Recorder and Water Resources
Vouchers
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$104,105.00 from the Commissioners to Ravenwood Mental Health Center for 4th quarter expenses
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$1,706,159.91 from the Commissioners to Infinity Construction for payment request #24 of the courthouse expansion project
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$15,000 from Community Development Block Grant Fund to Goldstar Roofing for a roof replacement on a pavilion at the Chagrin Falls Park Community Center
The Engineer’s Office received approval to execute Change Order #1 and Final, increasing the Contract with Grade Line, Incorporated for the Replacement of the Haskins Road Bridge (Structure #0191-03.210) in Bainbridge Township in the amount of $5,196.70.
The Department of Water Resources received approval to execute Change Order #4, Final, decreasing the Contract with Agri-Sludge, Incorporated for the Aquilla Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project in the amount of $64,396.15.
14:03 Min. The Commissioners’ Office discussed authorizing the President of the Board to execute Change Order #14, increasing the Contract with Infinity Construction Company, Incorporated for the Courthouse Expansion Project, GMP Phase #1 and Phase #2 for changes related to the Magistrate’s bench doors (+$33,571.00) and a decrease for the elimination of redundant bond charges (-$1,487.00) for the total amount of $32,084.00.
Judge Pashke explained that when the new courthouse was designed, there was a discussion about the need for having two ways in and out of the courtrooms. She explained that this is for security and logistical concerns. She also stated that when they did the walkthrough of the project in August, there was not a second way in or out of the Magistrate’s courtrooms. Ms. Brakey asked Judge Pashke if she was aware of any other courtrooms that did not have this design. She stated that she was not aware of any. Mrs. Brakey stated that, although she is in favor of these modifications, she feels that the taxpayers should not be paying for this, as it is a design omission. She moved to table this and stated that perhaps TDA can come back with a proposal to make this right, to which they agreed. Mr. Dvorak voted yes to table for one week. Mr. Spidalieri voted no and suggested that they move on it now and try to have them come back to us later.
Motion tabled
22.10: Min. The Commissioners approved hiring and the appointment of Mark Jimison to the position of Deputy County Administrator (#1324) to be effective October 14, 2025, at the rate of $48.19 per hour (Grade E18, Step 4). This offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of the required pre-employment conditions. All approved.
Ms. Bevan spoke about Mr. Jimison’s resume and past accomplishments as a Colonel in the Marine Corps and Assistant Prosecutor in Geauga County. Mr. Jimison introduced himself to the Board. See video for further details.
24:56 Min Public Comment:
A South Russell resident asked for prayers as we near the second anniversary of the Gaza conflict.
Mr. Litke presented the “coveted golden fishing rod” to Mr. Dvorak in honor of all of his work with fishing events for children with special needs.
28:05 Min Executive Session: The Commissioners’ Office received approval to move into Executive Session at 9:54 am for the purpose of discussing the compensation of public employees. Geauga County Benefits Specialist Megan Ericson, Human Resources Administrator Kathy Hostutler, and Mr. Gorton joined in the Executive Session. They returned at 10:12 with the following action:
47:53 Min. Return from Executive Session: There was action announced as follows:
The Commissioners approved the renewal of the CEBCO (County Employee Benefits Consortium of Ohio) Anthem Health Plan, Anthem Prescription Plan and the Delta Dental Plan for 2026. Ms. Erickson spoke about the process and changes to the existing plan. One optional plan is going to be eliminated, and those individuals currently on that plan (about 40 people) will see a significant increase in their contributions going forward. Mr. Dvorak noted that the employee contribution has remained at 10%.
51:45 Board Discussion – Ms. Bevan received approval to ask both outside counsels to obtain a proposal for the updating of the policy manual.
Mrs. Brakey announced that the Sheriff’s Trunk or Treat will be on October 22nd, and she invited the other two
commissioners to do it with her. She said that she would be paying for the candy she passes out, not the taxpayers.
54:15 Min. Meeting adjourned at 10:17 am.
Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: The next Regular Meeting of the BOCC will be on Thursday, October 15, 2025, 2025 at 9:30 am at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH. Meetings are typically held on Tuesdays, but in the event of a Monday holiday (October 13), they are moved to Thursday. The next Tuesday meeting will be October 21, 2025.
Observer: Mary Heintzelman
Editor: Sarah McGlone
Reviewer: Gail Roussey
Date Submitted: October 14, 2025
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