Board Opposes County “Piggyback” Tax Proposal, Citing $106K Revenue Loss and Risk to Mental Health Services
Geauga County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board (GC-MHRS) - October 29, 2025
Meeting Details: GC-MHRS Board held a Special Meeting on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at 6:00 pm at the Board offices located at 13244 Ravenna Rd., Chardon, OH 44024. This meeting was in person only with no recording available. The agenda was available through a request to Office/Administrative Manager Teresa Slater by email at tslater@geauga.org and at the meeting.
Public Comment Policy: No formal policy but in practice, public comment is permitted at the end of the meeting.
Board Members Attending: Chair Steven Oluic, Vice Chair Kathy Johnson, Secretary Jimmy Lee Holden, Treasurer Reba Dykes; Board Members: Douglas Lundblad, Michael Petruziello, and Mary Ruth Shumway.
Absent: Board Member Patricia Varanese.
Staff Members Attending: Executive Director Christine Lakomiak, Finance Director Jim Mausser, Office/Administrative Manager Teresa Slater, and Clinical/Compliance Manager Michelle Maneage.
Others Attending:
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Agency representatives: Mary Wayne-Peaspanen (Signature Health) and Dianne Kellogg (Red Tulip)
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Brandon Lightinger, Reporter from the Geauga Maple Leaf, and this LWV-Geauga Observer
Call to Order, Roll Call, and Pledge of Allegiance - The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm. Roll call and Pledge of Allegiance occurred as listed on the agenda.
Minutes: None presented.
Board Action Items -
Future Property Tax Challenges of the GC-MHRS -
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Mr. Oluic indicated that he called the special meeting to discuss a letter from the County Commissioners asking for input on a proposal under Ohio House Bill 96 that would allow the commissioners to “piggyback” local property tax relief onto the state homestead exemption and 2.5% owner-occupied rollback, effectively doubling those credits for eligible homeowners but reducing collections for local levies. Observer Note: Here is a link to information on the HB96 Piggyback Provision from the County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAO). Ms. Johnson commented “I’m impressed that they (Commissioners) have done this.” She also explained that both credits are funded by the state and that the piggyback option to grant further relief to taxpayers would be funded locally. Mr. Mausser clarified that the board’s two voted levies are frozen at 2008/2009 values with no inside millage and do not benefit from rising property valuations. Per the information included in the proposal produced by the Auditor’s Office, if the county adopts the piggyback, the GC-MHRS board would lose about $106,000 annually. The Board discussed how the Auditor derived the figure from homestead and owner-occupied impacts, and noted that only qualifying residents would receive the added relief. They raised concerns about broader ripple effects on schools and other agencies, potential new levies to backfill losses, and a separate statewide push to abolish property taxes. Given an anticipated ~$300,000 annual operating increase tied to TLC (Transitional Living Center) expansion, the board’s consensus was to oppose the piggyback unless the county reimburses the lost revenue potentially from county reserves so services—especially crisis and core programs—aren’t cut. Observer Note: See Maple Leaf article from January 23, 2025 describing the TLC project. The board voted unanimously to have Ms. Lakomiak draft a letter within the week outlining the financial impact, service consequences, and the rationale for their opposition. They also discussed attending a Commissioners’ meeting to deliver the message.
Board Sign Discussion -
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Mr. Petruziello pointed out that to install the new digital sign, space in front of the building would need to be cleared. Mr. Mausser stated that the GC-MHRS’s landscaper had looked at the space for that purpose and said that he would provide a quote in a week’s time.
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Mr. Oluic asked Ms. Lakomiak if there were any specific quotes with all the necessary information to consider yet. She responded that they were still collecting the information.
Executive Session -
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At 6:43 pm the Board voted to go into Executive Session pursuant to ORC 121.22(G)(1) to consider the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official, or the investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee, official, licensee, or regulated individual, unless the public employee, official, licensee, or regulated individual requests a public hearing. Ms. Lakomiak stayed in the meeting, and all other staff members and attendees departed. Ms. Lakomiak then left the Executive Session after approximately 40 minutes.
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At 7:49 pm the Board concluded its Executive Session. Mr. Oluic announced that they had no report.
Public Comments: No public comments were solicited before adjournment.
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm.
Board Minutes: Available at https://www.geauga.org/board-minutes/
Next meeting: The next meeting will be the Regular Meeting on November 19, 2025 at 6:00 pm. Meetings are held at the Board offices located at 13244 Ravenna Rd., Chardon, OH 44024.
More Information: https://www.geauga.org/
Observer: Carol Benton
Editor & Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: October 31, 2025
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