Various Future County Board Appointment Vacancies to be Advertised
Board of County Commissioners Meeting - October 28, 2025
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met in Regular Session on Tuesday, October 28, 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 28, 2025 meeting recording can be found here. As of this report’s publication date, this video has been viewed 242 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 in September allows public comment on agenda items at the beginning of the meeting, with general public comment still at the end of the meeting.
Attendance: Present were Commissioners Carolyn Brakey and James Dvorak. Commissioner Ralph Spidalieri was absent. Also present were Commissioners’ Clerk Christine Blair, County Administrator Amy Bevan and Finance Manager Adrian Gorton.
County Representatives: Liz Rubino, Contract Coordinator, Maintenance; Dr. Vanessa Povozhaev, Berkshire Schools; Nicole Walker, Chief Probation Officer, Court of Common Pleas; Linda Crombie, Director, Planning Commission; Shane Hajjar, Deputy Engineer, Engineer’s Office; Austin Rice, Director, Emergency Management Services; Charles Tkatch, Program Manager, Maintenance; Nick Gorris, who is both Director of Water Resources and the Geauga Planning Commission Chairperson.
Others in Attendance: Adam Litke, Administrator, Geauga Public Health; Jessica Boalt, Director, Geauga Department on Aging; Velta Moisio, Director of IT, Court of Common Pleas; 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.
Minutes - Minutes from the meetings of August 19, 2025 and August 25, 2025 were approved. Observer Note: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for the BOCC are available online through October 28, 2025 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through August 5, 2025.
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.
No Comments.
Administrator’s Report - Ms. Bevan reported on the following actions she took:
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Approved a new hire for a maintenance position for the Department of Water Resources.
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Concurred with the Claridon Trustees in not requiring a hearing for a liquor license request for for ShotGun Start LLC dba Pleasant Hills Golf Course
11:05 Min Financial Report: The following financials were approved:
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Cash Appropriation to the Sheriff’s Department for miscellaneous refunds, reimbursements and web checks that were deposited into the General Fund
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Cash Transfer from the General Fund to Community Development to pay for the 3rd Quarter 2025 payroll funding and the 4th quarter operations
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Cash transfer from the General Fund to the Sheriff’s Victims of Crime Act Fund to pay for the local match
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Cash transfer from the General Fund to the Board of Developmental Disabilities for 3rd quarter 2025 gas well proceeds
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Cash transfer from the General Fund to Community Development, Metzenbaum (Board of Developmental Disabilities), and the Board of Elections for 3rd quarter interest transfers
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Travel for the Commissioners’ Office
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Contract Purchase Order from Community Development to Chardon Local Schools for the demo and site revitalization grant that was used to clear old foundations at Chardon Schools’ new bus garage site
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Formal contract Purchase Order from the Commissioners and Maintenance to Ohio Paving and Construction Company for the repaving project at the Geauga Safety Center
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Vouchers:
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$33,837.21 from the Commissioners to the Airport Authority for local match pay request #5
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$109,499.69 from the Engineer’s Office to Ronyak Paving for asphalt resurfacing of Wilson Mills Road
The Maintenance Department received approval to execute the Contract Agreement with DeAndrade Landscape Design LTD d.b.a. U.S. Lawns – Cleveland East for the Snowplowing, Salting and/or Cindering of various Geauga County parking lots in the amount of $108,600.00 and salt in the amount of $165.00 per half ton. This is for the 2025-2027 seasons in an amount not to exceed $148,600.00.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval to authorize the President of the Board to execute the Request for Partial Payment #25 for Infinity Construction Company, Incorporated for the Geauga County Courthouse Expansion Project, GMP Phase #1 and Phase #2 expenses in the amount of $759,913.41.
14:14 Min The Commissioners’ Office approved the execution of a Letter of Support for an application to the TMOBILE Hometown grant for funding of the Berkshire Makerspace Equipment Enhancement. Dr. Povozhaev stated that this is a grant specifically for rural schools. She spoke about the different machines and equipment in the Makerspace and also about the different organizations within the school and community at large that use the space.
Common Pleas Court / Adult Probation Department received approval to execute the revised Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Community Corrections Grant Agreement, Community Corrections Act 2.0 Grant, Exhibit A and Targeted Community Alternatives to Prison (T-CAP) Grant, Exhibit B, for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027. This is an increase of $18,130.00 for a new total award amount of $548,357.00 with no local match.
The Planning Commission received approval for the following:
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To execute the Final Plat for Berkshire Industrial Park, Replat of Sublot 6 (Phase 1) and Sublot 16 (Phase 2) creating Sublot 6-R, in Burton Township.
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To execute the Final Plat for Chagrin Heights Subdivision, Replat of Sublots 218 and 219, creating Sublot 218-R in Russell Township.
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To execute the Final Plat for Chagrin Falls Park, Replat of Sublots 1061-1067, creating Sublot 1061-R in Bainbridge Township.
21:30 Min 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 Incorporated for the Asphalt Resurfacing of Fairmount Road in Russell and Newbury Townships in the amount of $25,383.15.
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To execute Change Order #1 and Final, decreasing the Contract with Ronyak Paving, Incorporated for the Asphalt Resurfacing of Sperry Road in Newbury, Russell and Chester Townships in the amount of $32,956.75.
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To authorize James W. Dvorak, board member and Chief Executive Officer, to execute the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC), Appendix E - Disbursement Request Form and Certification #1 in order to release funds from the state portion of the OPWC (Ohio Public Works Commission) grant for the Asphalt Resurfacing of Sperry Road, in Chester, Newbury and Russell Townships in the amount of $500,000.00.
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To authorize James W. Dvorak, board member and Chief Executive Officer, to execute the OPWC, Appendix E - Disbursement Request Form and Certification #1 in order to release funds from the state portion of the OPWC grant for the Asphalt Resurfacing of Fairmount Road, in Newbury and Russell Townships in the amount of $200,000.00.
25:28 Min The Emergency Management Agency (EMA) received approval to execute Resolution #25-192 Adopting the updated Geauga County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, FY2025. Mr. Rice stated that the EMA was able to do this within the department and did not incur any consulting fees.
The Maintenance Department received approval for the following design firm rankings and evaluation of Statement of Interests and Qualification responses received for providing professional design and contract administration services for the expansion and renovation of the County’s Animal Shelter Kennels including 1. TC Architects, Incorporated, 2. LDA Architects, Incorporated and 3. Verdantas, LLC, and further select TC Architects, Incorporated as the most qualified firm to provide professional design and contract administration services, in accordance with O.R.C. 153.69(B) and authorize commencement of contract negotiations.
The Department of Water Resources received approval for the following:
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To authorize the President of the Board to execute the updated Accounting Forms Authorization Form and Payroll Authorization Form.
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To execute the service Contract Agreement with DEX Imaging to provide all parts, labor, travel for all service, preventative maintenance, toner and image units on copy machines listed (six copiers and a wide format printer) and as set forth in the attached Customer Order Forms “Exhibit A and Exhibit B,” and removal of obsolete copier machines for the department for a period of five-years, effective October 28, 2025 in an amount not to exceed $39,994.00.21.
36:46 Min The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the following:
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To execute Resolution #25-193 Eleventh Amended Resolution Approving the Use of County Credit Cards for the Year 2025 to include add a user for the Common Pleas Court, add a user for the Commissioners’ Office and add users on the County Engineer’s Geauga Credit Union Visa, Giant Eagle / PNC Visa and Home Depot Commercial Account, and removing former employees for the Common Pleas Court, Commissioners’ Office, County Engineer’s Office and Department of Water Resources, pursuant to O.R.C. 301.27. 22.
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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 new employees from Common Pleas Court, Commissioners Office and Engineer’s Office for the Geauga Credit Union Visa, Giant Eagle PNC Visa and the Home Depot Commercial Account.
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To execute the Certification Request to County Auditor, Request to Board of Commissioners Quarterly Use of County Credit Cards, pursuant to O.R.C. 301.27 for the Year 2025 (Quarters 1, 2, 3 and 4) for the County Engineer’s Office – Giant Eagle – PNC Visa and Home Depot Commercial Account.
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To execute Resolution #25-194 Re Appointing Michael Murphy to the Northeast Ohio Community Alternative Program (NEOCAP) Facility Governing Board for the term November 10, 2025 through November 9, 2028.
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To execute Change Order #15, increasing the Contract with Infinity Construction Company, Incorporated for the Geauga County Courthouse Expansion Project, GMP Phase #1 and Phase #2 for the purchase, delivery and installation of seventeen (17) Samsung commercial displays, (ten (10) 65” interactive screens, four (4) 50” 4K UHD (ultra-high definition) and three (3) 43” 4K UHD along with three (3) Logitech Rally Bar + Tap IP Bundles and mounts not covered in the original contract in the amount of $44,961.00.
Ms. Bevan spoke of the reasoning behind the increase from the original pricing of $33,500.00. She was informed by NV5 that it was due to escalation and inflation. Ms. Bevan stated that Court IT and ADP were not involved in the change order and that, going forward, change orders in general should be reviewed by county representatives.
Ms. Moisio stated that the original quote did not include installation. Ms. Brakey questioned Ms. Moisio about the use of this equipment. She went into detail about the different departments, uses and individuals that would be using the equipment.
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For a regrade of the Director, Maintenance – Buildings and Grounds position from an E15 to an E16, to be effective October 28, 2025.
50:17 Min Public Comment - Ms. Jones asked for name clarification of Ms. Moiso. Mr. Jones inquired as to the reason for the Planning Commission meeting to be held that evening. Mr. Gorris informed him it was about farmland preservation. A resident from Fairport Harbour was there to bring awareness of the persecution that her organization has had to endure from the Chinese government. The organization, Falun Gong, originated in China.
55:19 Min. Board Discussion - Ms. Blair stated that she will be asking for guidance from the BOCC regarding upcoming vacancies that will need to be filled for the Planning Commission Board, Board of Developmental Disabilities, and Mental Health and Recovery Board. She will be sending out a press release for the Planning Commission Board. Applications have been received for the Board of Developmental Disabilities. Ms. Brakey said that she would like to look at those. Reviewer Note: See the LWVG Observer report from the October 15, 2025 Board of Developmental Disabilities (BODD) meeting where the BODD voted to recommend 2 persons to the BOCC for positions expiring on December 31, 2025. There may be an opening for the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board. Christine Lakomiak, Director, will be sending over revised applications for that Board as the requirements have changed. Ms. Brakey said that she wants to make sure that any open appointments are advertised so that the media, League of Women Voters of Geauga and other organizations are aware. Ms. Blair stated that they are finalizing the location of the application on the county website.
Executive Session - The Board entered Executive Session at 10:26 am to discuss compensation of public employees. The Board was joined by Jessica Boalt.
Observer Note: This observer viewed the remainder of the meeting virtually.
Return from Executive Session at 10:51 am with no action.
1:27:47 Min Not on Agenda -
Ms. Blair requested the County Auditor to release the bond that was in place for the construction of the new poultry barn at the Geauga County Fairgrounds. Accounting of the funds for the purpose for which they were provided has been conducted.
Ms. Brakey gave an update on the airport funding. After the BOCC meeting on October 16, 2025, Ms. Brakey was in back and forth communication with the Airport Authority. Reviewer Note: See LWVG Observer report from October 16, 2025 for more information. She said that the Airport Authority was under the impression that, according to the operating agreement, they are entitled to $25,000 a year in a grant match. She explained that they stated that they thought the $800,000 from the Commissioners was a grant and not a match, and they are looking for an additional $30,000 for a change order. She indicated that the Airport Authority finally admitted that the Commissioners were not obligated to pay for change orders. Mr. Dvorak and Ms. Brakey spoke about the airport getting to the point that they are self-sustaining.
Meeting adjourned at approximately 10:58 am.
Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: The next Regular Meeting of the BOCC will be on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at 9:30 am at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH.
Observer: Mary Heintzelman
Editor: Sarah McGlone
Reviewer: Carol Benton
Date Submitted: November 4, 2025
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