Opposition to House Bill 96 “Piggyback” Tax Exemptions Expressed
During Public Comment
Board of County Commissioners Meeting - November 13, 2025
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met in Regular Session on Thursday, November 13, 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. Due to a fire alarm during the meeting, there are two separate videos of this meeting- Part 1 and Part 2. As of this report’s publication date, the Part 1 video has been viewed 241 times, and the Part 2 video has been viewed 251 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, James Dvorak and Ralph Spidalieri (arriving at 11 min on the video). Also present were Commissioners’ Clerk Christine Blair, County Administrator Amy Bevan, Deputy County Administrator Mark Jimison, and Finance Manager Adrian Gorton.
County Representatives: Richard Blamer, Manager, Airport Authority; Greg Gyllstrom, Vice President, Geauga Airport Authority Board; Shane Hajjar, Deputy Engineer, Engineer’s Office; Craig Swenson, Director; Job and Family Services; Liz Ruvino, Maintenance; Nick Gorris, Director, Water Resources; Charles Tkatch, Program Manager, Maintenance; Dog Warden Matt Granito; Kathy Hostutler, Human Resources Manager
Others in Attendance: Skip Claypool, Geauga Metropolitan Housing Board Member; Steve Oluic, Geauga County Mental Health and Recovery Board Chair; Anastasia Nicholas, Chagrin Valley Times reporter; Alison Wilson, Reporter from the Geauga Maple Leaf; members of the public and this Observer.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a prayer was offered by Mr. Dvorak.
9:13 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.
No Comments.
Minutes - No meeting minutes were submitted for approval.. Observer Note: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for the BOCC are available online through November 13, 2025 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through August 28, 2025.
9:32 Min. Financial Report: The following financials were approved:
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Supplemental Appropriation for the Public Defender to prepare for a retirement and staff changes
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Cash transfer from Commissioners to Unemployment Rotary Fund
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Cash transfers from Commissioners to Court Technology for 2025 funding
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Then and Now from Common Pleas Court to EC America Inc. for a cyber security and IT training session that was not previously encumbered
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Travel for Job and Family Services
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Vouchers:
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$759,913.41 from Commissioners to Infinity Construction for pay request #25 for the courthouse expansion project
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$23,952.62 from Commissioners to Destination Geauga for 3rd Quarter bed tax
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$261,229.35 from Engineer’s Office to Ronyak Paving for asphalt resurfacing of Fairmount Rd.
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Revenue Certification for Common Pleas court for additional state revenue that was not previously budgeted
Administrator’s Report - Ms. Bevan reported on the following actions she took:
12:35 Min. The Commissioners’ Office requested the Board direct the Budget and Finance Manager to send a letter to WomenSafe, confirming their eligibility for distribution from the Domestic Violence Fund and providing an estimate of the amount available for the shelter from the fees to be collected.
14:02 Min. The Airport Authority received approval for the following:
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Reimbursement Request #6 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 $12,305.00 (FAA Share $11,074.50, ODOT Share $615.25 and Local County match share $615.25).
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To execute Resolution #25-199 Authorizing the President of the Geauga County Airport Authority Board to execute and submit the Application to Ohio Department of Transportation FY2026 Ohio Airport Improvement Program Grants for a matching grant request for the construction of T-Hangar Bravo in the amount of $29,250.00.
Ms. Brakey stated “in the letter from ODOT that was in the board packet, it says the sponsor will be responsible for 100% of any non-eligible cost associated with the project. And my understanding is both the Airport Authority and the Commissioners would be the co-sponsors in this.” She expressed her concern that the Commissioners would be responsible for any overages. She suggested that the resolution be amended to include wording that the Airport Authority not request any additional funding from the Commissioners for the project. Mr. Gyllstrom informed the Board that the project is on schedule and going well. Discussion followed, with Mr Spidalieri voicing his disagreement with making the change suggested by Ms. Brakey. Despite the disagreement, Mr. Spidalieri did vote for the amended resolution, which was approved unanimously.
25:40 Min. The County Engineer’s Office received approval for the following:
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To execute Change Order #1 and Final, increasing the Contract with Ronyak Paving, Incorporated for the Reconstruction of Butternut Road, (CH 0021), including the Replacement of Structure #0021-00.320 and Resurfacing of Sections A-C in Munson Township in the amount of $119,240.94.
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To award the Bid to Geauga Highway Company for the Asphalt Resurfacing of Gingerich Road (CH-0034, Section A) in Burton Township in the amount of $240,465.71 as they represented the lowest and best bid. The Bid Bond submitted shall be held to serve as the Performance Bond for this project.
The Department of Job and Family Services received approval for the following:
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The resignations of Kristine Frankenberry, Julie Gorenc and Gerry Morgan from the Family Services Planning Committee
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The appointment of Angela North, Nathan Long, Nicole Walker and Donna Brown-Barrow to the Family Services Planning Committee effective November 13, 2025 through December 31, 2025.
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The appointment of Melanie Becker to the Ohio Children’s Trust Fund, Child Abuse and Neglect Great Lakes Regional Prevention Council, to be effective January 1, 2026, and will remain until a successor is needed.
36:18 Min. The Maintenance Department presented the following for approval:
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To execute a service Contract Agreement with Trane U.S. Incorporated to provide and install a new Building Automations System (BAS) at the Geauga County Safety Center with work to be completed within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of November 13, 2025, in an amount not to exceed $49,817.00.
Ms. Brakey asked if ADP had been involved and expressed her concern with the company and training personnel having access to the county network. This resolution was tabled until more information can be presented.
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To execute a Service Contract Agreement with Air Force One to provide and install three (3) new split cooling systems at the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office with work to be completed within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of November 13, 2025, in an amount not to exceed $39,660.00. Unanimously approved.
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To execute the Agreement for Professional Services with Verdantas Architecture, Incorporated to provide professional services required to perform a comprehensive facility condition assessment of Geauga County’s East Park Office Building, located at 214 East Park Street, Chardon, Ohio in an amount not to exceed $19,400.00. Unanimously approved.
Ms. Brakey asked what this is for and why it is needed. Mr. Takatch responded that they did not receive very much information on the building and its structure when it was purchased and that a full assessment is needed to move forward on a functional county facility.
Observer Note: At 42:03 on the video, the fire alarm started and the meeting was recessed.
Part 2 Video Starts Here
00:00 Min The Department of Water Resources received approval to authorize Ralph Spidalieri, authorized representative, to execute the Ohio Water Development Authority Fund Payment Request #8 for the McFarland Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements Project for technical services by HDR Engineering Incorporated in the amount of $73,871.01
1:10 Min. The Commissioners’ Office received approval 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 (Quarter 4) for the Emergency Management Agency (EMA) – Geauga Credit Union Visa and revised Quarters 1, 2, 3 and 4 for the Department of Water Resources to include Training – Geauga Credit Union Visa.
1:55 Min Part 2 Public Comment
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Mr. Claypool questioned a letter that Ms. Brakey sent out to county elected officials and board members regarding the piggyback provision in HB96. Reviewer Note: A copy of this letter is available here. He said that Mrs. Brakey was the only Commissioner's name on the letter, but it was signed by “Geauga County Commissioners” as opposed to Geauga County Commissioner. He expressed his displeasure about the misrepresentation. Mrs. Brakey responded that the purpose of the letter was to collect data and that she had redlined the plural S to be removed, yet somehow it was sent out without the correction. Mr. Claypool also expressed his opposition to the “piggyback” provision in HB96. Reviewer Note: The “piggyback” provision in HB96 allows County Commissioners to supplement homestead and owner-occupied property tax credits by reducing property tax distributions to county entities.
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Geauga County Dog Warden Matt Granito made an appearance with a recently abandoned dog named Jackie. Jackie is on the road to recovery and will be available for adoption soon.
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Steve Oluic from Hamden Township expressed his opposition to the “piggyback” provision in HB96. He is a member of Geauga County Mental Health and Recovery Board.
18:15 Min. Executive Session - The Board entered Executive Session at 10:26 am to discuss compensation of public employees. The Board was joined by Ms. Bevan, Nick Gorris, Mark Jimison and Kathy Hostutler, Human Resources. They returned at 11:09 with no action.
100:44 Min. Return from Executive Session at 11:09 with no action.
Meeting adjourned at 11:10 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 18, 2025 at 9:30 am at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH.
Observer: Mary Heintzelman
Editor: Gail Roussey
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: November 19, 2025
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