Two Departments Start Preparation for Union Negotiations -
Water Resources and Sheriff
Board of County Commissioners Meeting - November 25, 2025
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met in Regular Session on Tuesday, November 25, 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. This meeting 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 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. Also present were Commissioners’ Clerk Christine Blair, County Administrator Amy Bevan, Deputy County Administrator Mark Jimison, and Finance Manager Adrian Gorton.
County Representatives: Maximus Yost, Intern, Geauga County Commissioners office; Shane Hajjar, Deputy Engineer, Engineer’s Office; Richard Blamer, Manager, Geauga Airport Authority and Greg Gyllstrom, Vice-President; Brandon Reed, Deputy Director Emergency Management; Elaine Malkamaki, Program Director, Community and Economic Development; Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand; Chief Deputy Tom Rowan; Nick Gorris, Director, Water Resources.
Others in Attendance: Gina Hofstetter, Director, Community and Economic Development; Christine Lakomiak, Director, Geauga Mental Health and Recovery; Adam Litke, Health Administrator, Geauga Public Health; Anastasia Nicholas, Chagrin Valley Times reporter; Allison Wilson, Geauga Maple Leaf reporter; members of the public and this LWV Observer.
5:48 Min. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a prayer was offered by Mr. Dvorak.
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.
Ms. Bevan described the process of public comment on Agenda matters, which occurs first in the meeting. There was no one signed up for this time of public comment. She reminded the public that there was a second general comment time later in the meeting and that the Board is under no obligation to respond to public comment at the meeting.
8:27 Min. Administrator’s Report - Ms. Bevan reported on the following:
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Concurred with Chester Township in not requiring a hearing for a liquor license for Perky Kettle Ltd.
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Accepted a resignation in Water Resources for a WasteWater Treatment Operator #3
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Approved the promotion of an individual to In-home Services Manager in Department of Aging
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Approved posting in Department of Aging for a Social Service coordinator, with advertising in-house for five days and then if no qualified candidates are found, the position will be advertised externally.
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Concurred with Hampden Township in not requiring a hearing for a liquor license for Hornyak Farms in Chardon.
10:29 Min. Minutes - Minutes were approved for the September 23, 2025 meeting. Observer Note: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for BOCC are available online through November 25, 2025 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through August 28, 2025.
10:53 Min. Financial Report - The following Financials were approved as discussed by the Finance Manager:
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Appropriations transfer from the commissioner's office to true up payroll accounts for additional personnel for the clerk of the courts that were approved in their budget hearing and to cover an unanticipated retirement in ADP (Automatic Data Processing).
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Supplemental de-appropriations from the commissioners in the airport construction fund.
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Supplemental de-appropriations in Water Resources in the sewer improvements fund and the McFarland Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades project.
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Supplemental from the treasurer's office in the delinquent tax fee fund for year-end one-time pays.
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Cash transfers from the general fund to victim witness assistance fund to pay the local match for VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) grant period October 2025 through September 2026 for grant number 136129722 as well as an additional request of $49,049 due to reductions in state funding for a total of $65,601.
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Transfer from the general fund to the Department of Emergency Services for their 2024 per capita subdivision receipts and the 2025 sales tax operational stipend.
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Incumbrances - an increase from the commissioners to Infinity Construction Company Incorporated for change order number 15 approved in session on October 28th for the Geauga Courthouse renovation project.
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Vouchers
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Revenue certifications and decertifications for Mental Health and Recovery Services in their capital reserve fund and Water Resources in their sewer improvements and McFarland wastewater treatment plant upgrades project funds for additional revenue received and not received in 2025.
14:25 Min. The Commissioners’ Office received approval to execute the revised Accounting forms and Payroll Authorization forms for the Department on Aging, Building Department, Commissioners, Community and Economic Development, Dog Warden, Emergency Management Agency and Maintenance. Mr. Gorton explained that this was necessary in order to include Mr. Jimison, the new Deputy County Administrator, on the forms.
15:21 Min. The Airport Authority received approval to execute the Easement with the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company for facilities for the distribution of electric current, including communication facilities, upon, over and across part of the Geauga County Airport property, specifically Parcel #19-706416 and #18-706164. Mrs. Brakey confirmed that there were no plans for improvement within the easement area. It was also confirmed that the electrical wires for the new hangar would be “buried.”
17 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 Placement of Crack Seal on Various Roads in Geauga County in the amount of $1,288.00.
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to execute Change Order #1, increasing the Contract with Eclipse Company, LLC for the Realignment of Bainbridge Road at Washington Street Traffic Signalization in the amount of $27,701.31 and the date of completion 132 days through March 11, 2026.
Mr. Hajjar explained that due to the long lead time, they had to keep the temporary signal up longer than anticipated and that extension increased the cost. He said that a Federal grant is paying for 80% of total cost.
19:26 Min. The Department of Community and Economic Development received approval for the following:
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to execute a letter to the Geauga County Public Library Board, giving informational notice of the intent to purchase the building at 12701 Ravenwood Drive, Chardon, Ohio for the amount of $3,200,000.00 and should the Library Board choose to vacate the premises early there will be no relocation assistance eligibility available.
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to execute a voluntary acquisition notice letter to the Geauga County Public Library Board, of the intent to purchase the building at 12701 Ravenwood Drive, Chardon, Ohio for the amount of $3,200,000.00 and should the Library Board choose not to sell the property there will be no acquisition by eminent domain.
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to execute the Three-Party Contract between the Geauga County Board of Commissioners, Roland and Amy Foliart and Loze Enterprises, LLC to demolish the house and barn, removal of chimney, debris and concrete block, crush septic tank and level with topsoil and seed and straw the property located at 15180 Munn Road, Newbury under the Ohio Department of Development, Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program in the amount of $16,685.00.
Reviewer Note: These actions pave the way for the transformation of the building to the new senior center under the Geauga Department of Aging. This November 26, 2025 article from Cleveland.com.
24:54 Min. The Emergency Management Agency (EMA) received approval to execute the Agreement between the Emergency Management Agency and the Geauga County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) to provide the following services to LEPC: Administrative Support, Emergency Response Coordinator (if elected by the Geauga LEPC), Secretarial /Treasurer Responsibilities, Information Coordinator (if elected by the LEPC), Compliance, Plan Development and Exercising, Grant Applications, Training and the maintaining of all required chemical filing forms and records for both years 2025 and 2026. Mr. Reed said that the 2025 Agreement was overlooked, which is why they are doing both years now.
28:07 Min. The Department of Water Resources received approval for the following:
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to authorize Ralph Spidalieri, authorized representative, to execute the Request for Partial Payment #5 for Shook Construction Company for the McFarland Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements project in the amount of $2,881,179.36 and execute the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) Contractor’s Estimate and the OWDA Fund Payment Request #5 in the amount of $1,381,179.36.
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to advertise for the positions Wastewater Operator I (#2326) and Wastewater Operator III (#2312) internally for a period of five days, if no qualified candidate is presently employed with Water Resources, then advertise externally until the positions are filled. Mr. Gorris said there was a retirement coming in January and another one in June.
31 Min. The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the following:
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to appoint Rebecca Bennett to the Geauga County Board of Developmental Disabilities for a four-year term, January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2029.
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to re-elect Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand to the Volunteer Peace Officers’ Dependents Fund Board for the term ending December 31, 2026, pursuant to O.R.C. 143.02.
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to re-elect Auditor, Charles Walder to the Volunteer Peace Officers’ Dependents Fund Board for the term ending December 31, 2026, pursuant to O.R.C. 143.02. Mrs. Brakey confirmed that the Sheriff and Auditor currently serve on the Board.
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to execute the service Contract Agreement with Kash Moving Corporation to provide services related to the relocation of all courthouse employees back to the courthouse and into the new courthouse expansion with the move to be completed within a two-month period, in an amount not to exceed $25,480.00. Ms. Bevan said that there are two moving date ranges - the first for new furniture to be installed December 10th through January 2nd. Ms. Bevan continued, “For existing furniture, the window right now is January 2nd through January 15th. The caveat here is that the occupants of the courthouse will have a say as to when everything is ready to go. So that will be a decision that will be made by all four of the major parties before that move occurs. So those dates are not set in stone. They are right now. There was a meeting last week that was held between the four major parties involved in the move last week and that was what was decided upon those windows. I just wanted to make sure that you knew that we were communicating with them and that we'll take their desires when it comes to operations into account when we talk about moving existing furniture.” Mrs. Brakey said that Judge Paschke was concerned that there might not be enough time. Ms. Bevan said she felt that two months should be sufficient time but they could have a change order if needed.
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to execute the Registration Information for Utilization of Public Right of Way by Provider of Communication Services Acknowledgement form notifying the County that there has been an intercompany assignment and Kinetic ABS OH LLC is the new owner of all Windstream / Kinetic assets located in the public rights-of-way in Geauga County.
38:51 Min. Board Discussion – Ms. Bevan asked Max Yost, intern, to come forward to speak to the Board. She said this would be his last session and she wanted to cover some of his accomplishments as follows:
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Expanded media touchpoints
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Solicited class officers to lead the pledge
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Produced news media reports and six press releases
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Produced a new template for the Board
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Posted numerous times to Facebook
She thanked him publicly and acknowledged his tenure. Mrs. Brakey asked him about graduation and Mr. Yost said he was done in December but would graduate in June. Mr. Dvorak thanked him for his positive attitude and especially noted having schools present at session to lead the Pledge.
Public Comment -
Christine Lakomiak, Director of the Mental Health and Recovery Services thanked the Commissioners and staff members who had made it possible for the TLC (Transitional Living Center) to be built. Ms. Lakomiak said that they would be moving into the facility the next day. Reviewer Note: Please find information about the TLC in this January 25, 2025 Maple Leaf article.
This Observer asked about an Agenda item for Job and Family Services that was skipped earlier in the Agenda. It was stated that it would be considered later in the meeting (see item below).
A South Russell Village resident noted that today was the day 62 years ago that President John F. Kennedy was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
42:25 Min. Executive Session: The Sheriff’s Office received approval to move into Executive Session at 10:07 am for the purpose of preparing for, conducting or reviewing negotiations or bargaining sessions concerning compensation or other terms and conditions of employment, in accordance with O.R.C. 121.22 (G)(4). The Board was joined by Sheriff Hildenbrand, Chief Deputy Tom Rowan, Ms. Bevan and Mr. Jimison.
1:10:28 Min. Return from Executive Session at 10:35 am - No action.
1:11 Min. Executive Session: The Department of Water Resources received approval to move into Executive Session for the purpose of preparing for, conducting or reviewing negotiations or bargaining sessions concerning compensation or other terms and conditions of employment, in accordance with O.R.C. 121.22 (G)(4). The Commissioners were joined by Mr. Gorris, Ms. Bevan and Mr. Jimison.
1:59:29 Return from Executive Session at 11:24 am with no action. Ms Bevan said that Mr. Adrian Gorton had joined them at one point in this Executive Session.
1:60 Min.Executive Session: The Commissioners’ Office received approval to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the compensation of public employees, pursuant to O.R.C. 121.22(G)(1). The Commissioners were joined by Ms. Bevan and Mr. Jimison
2:18:33 Min. Return from Executive Session with no action.
2:19 Min. The Department of Job and Family Services (JFS) received approval to execute Contract Maintenance Form #2, increasing the Contract with ThenDesign Architecture for the Geauga Youth Center Design and Construction Project for revisions to construction documents for requested IT and security changes in the amount of $2,400.00 for a new total contract amount of $542,340.00. Mr. Gorris presented this item for JFS and explained that increases were for security cameras and other work by ADP. He said their goal is to break ground in the spring.
2:26:32 Min. Meeting adjourned at approximately 11:52 am.
Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: The next Regular Meeting of the BOCC will be on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH.
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor: Rooney Moy
Reviewer: Carol Benton
Date Submitted: November 29, 2025
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