BODD Annual Plan Shows Deficit Projected to Continue for Sixth Straight Year
Board of Developmental Disabilities (BODD) Meeting - November 19, 2025
Meeting Details: The Board of Developmental Disabilities held a Regular Meeting at 6:00 pm on November 19, 2025 in the Administration Board Room at the Metzenbaum Center at 8200 Cedar Rd., Chesterland, OH 44026. Virtual access was available via Zoom, and the agenda was provided in advance. For virtual meeting information contact Kellie Tvergyak-Oznowich at ktvergyako@geaugadd.org. This Observer attended virtually.
Public Comment: The Board of Developmental Disabilities has a written public comment policy, first approved by BODD in 2001, and most recently reviewed by the Board in October 2023. See policy here.
Board Attendance:
Developmental Disabilities Staff:
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Don Rice - Superintendent - Absent
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Dave Carlson - Assistant Superintendent
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Rean Davis - Business Operations Director
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Tami Setlock - Support and Service Administration
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Richelle Mills - Transportation and Business Coordinator (via video)
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Megan Thirion - Employment First
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Meredith Myers - Early Intervention
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Janice Chesnes - Human Resources
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Kellie Tvergyak-Oznowich - Administrative Assistant
Others Present:
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David Contrell - property owner
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Sally Contizano - Metzenbaum Foundation (via video)
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Gail Roussey - LWV Geauga Observer (via video)
The Board meeting was called to order at approximately 6:07 pm by Mr. Lair. The Board then heard a review of the Annual Plan conducted by Mr. Carlson.
Annual Plan
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The Board worked on this Annual Plan at their annual retreat on October 28, 2025.
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Review of Last year’s Achievements:
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Creation of a Business Coordinator role (currently held by Richelle Mills).
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Four postcards went out this year through the efforts of Community Engagement.
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Security has been improved.
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There is increased accessibility.
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Signs have been improved.
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A Data Specialist is working on strategy and data.
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ADP approved a data analysis solution (based on Microsoft software).
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No updates were recommended to Mission and Vision.
Overview for 2026 - See the complete plan here.
Mr. Carlson summarized the Vision Plan: “Through a person-centered approach, we aim to help people of all ages to be Integrated, Accepted, and Achieving their full potential in:
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Community Life: Shopping, housing, recreation, giving back, and building relationships
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Employment: Working with public, earning minimum wage +, and choosing an occupation
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Education: Learning with peers, participating in extra-curricular activities, and successfully transitioning to adulthood:
Final Numbers: 1,150 clients with developmental disabilities were served in 2025, with a focus on integration, community participation and employment. The number of clients served is down slightly from 1,188 in 2024.
Mr. Carlson said that financially, the goal is to extend current financial resources as far as possible.
Board meetings will continue to be the third Wednesday of the month at 6 pm. 2026 Board Meeting Dates: January 21, February 18, March 18, April 15, May 20, June 17, July 15, August 19, September 16, October 21, November 18 and December 16
Service Provision in 2026: Mr. Carlson reminded the Board that Service Provision was done “outside this building,” not by employees. He said there were no plans for new programs or services. They are “committed to supporting the integration and employment of the people we serve.”
Medicaid Waivers: There are currently 288 waivers; the target for 2026 is 310. They plan to eliminate the wait list. The net wait list is 5 currently; vacancy replacements will continue.
2026 Budget Summary:
Revenue: $17.2 Million
Expenses: $19.2 Million
Deficit: $ 2.0 Million
This will be the 6th straight year of deficit funding. The levy comprises 78% of total revenue, which should be sufficient through 2027, at which point a levy might be needed.
The following cost-saving measures will be implemented in order to delay the necessity for a levy:
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Not filling two expansion positions that had been approved
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Replacing two employees who will be retiring at end of 2025 (Maintenance) with one person
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Eliminating capital grants to providers
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Restructuring Medicaid Waiver Match payments to improve cash flow
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Continuing to identify and implement more cost-savings strategies
Five Goals:
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Create tech-related information to be disseminated to employees by January 2026
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Identify and implement new cost-saving methods to extend current resources
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Identify and implement opportunities to enhance employee appreciation and team-building. This goal includes holding the number of employees at 60. Mr. Carlson said that other Boards across the State are surprised that they have so little turnover.
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Coordinate external outreach to expand geographic reach, minimize duplication across departments, increase opportunities for employee participation and update and simplify messaging.
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Update long-range outlook documents
Statewide Issues
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Property Tax Reform with numerous bills in various stages at the State Legislature. It was noted that the HB96 “piggyback” provision was voted down by the Geauga County Commissioners. Reviewer Note: See the LWVGeauga Observer Report for the November 18, 2025 Board of County Commissioners Meeting for more information.
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Property Tax Abolishment
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411,488 valid signatures required by 7/1/26 to put a measure on the ballot to eliminate property tax
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Geauga County has formed a Property Tax Abolishment Response Taskforce with an initial meeting on 12/1/25
Property Tax Levies on the Ballot in November
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New money levies remain a challenge.
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Across the state, Ohio voters approved 15 of 45 new levies, four of seven substitute levies, and three of nine bond issues. In total 74 of 114 issues statewide were approved.
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Three levies in Geauga County failed.
Reviewer Note: All November 4, 2025 election results for Geauga County are available at the Geauga Board of Elections website here.
Mr. Carlson said that they will continue monitoring statewide and local property tax developments and keep the Board informed.
Mr. Carlson noted that new mandatory assessments are coming from the State, the impact of which is unknown currently. Observer Note: See the Ohio DD website for more information. To summarize from the website: “Our goal is to enhance Ohio’s DD waiver program, making it more effective for everyone, especially those it supports. We've gathered feedback and identified key improvements, including a major update to DODD assessments. We're transitioning to the interRAI tool, which better matches services to people's needs.”
DoDD (Department of Developmental Disabilities - Ohio) is also changing its IT system for waiver service authorizations, which will require intensive manual work by County Boards to migrate from the old to the new system.
Start of Regular Business - At 6:47 pm the Board started regular Agenda
Minutes: Minutes for the October 15, 2025 Board Meeting were approved without edits.
The Board took the following actions:
APPROVED Donation from Barry Deming of a Hoyer Lift, hospital bed, a wheelchair, and walkers for general use to the program.
APPROVED Resolution of Appreciation for John Barrows. The Resolution stated that “Mr. Barrows has served as a custodian at the Geauga County Board of Developmental Disabilities since July 2016, demonstrating dedication, professionalism, and pride in his work; John’s commitment to maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming environment has contributed significantly to the comfort and wellbeing of staff, individuals supported, and visitors; John has announced his retirement, marking the end of a career and the beginning of a new chapter in his life.” The Board wished Mr. Barrows well. It was noted that a second Custodian will also be retiring.
Financials
APPROVED - The Board reviewed and approved the financial statement for the month of October
APPROVED - Financial Transactions & Voucher Approvals - The Board reviewed and approved various financial transactions, expenditures, and vouchers for the month of October.
Ms. Davis said that salaries were a little more this month because it was a 3-pay cycle month.
There was a question about the Property Tax Appeal, and Mr. Carlson said it was scheduled for April 2026. Observer Note: No other information about this Appeal was discussed at the meeting. Reviewer Note: Mr. Carlson responded to a follow-up inquiry regarding the tax appeal, explaining that the County Auditor has appealed the Tax Commissioner’s May 2025 determination on the Metzenbaum facility’s nonprofit status as it relates to property tax payments. This issue was first raised in January 2024 and discussed at the Board of County Commissioners meeting on January 30, 2024. See the LWVG Observer report from this meeting here. A copy of the August 7, 2025 appeal by the County Auditor is here.
ACCEPTED - The Ethics Council’s recommendation for a Locally Funded Services Agreement Addendum with Mary Jo Quinlin was approved in an amount of $1,600.00 for transportation
APPROVED - Resolution: 25-78(A) contracts for the year 2026 to ensure the effective operation of programs, services, and business functions.
APPROVED - Resolution: 25-79(A) to approve Locally Funded Services Agreement Addendums with:
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Access Supportive Actions, in an amount of $10,000.00 for HPC (homemaker/personal care), HPC Transportation, NMT (non-medical transportation), & Adult Day services. The total contract will become $50,000.
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BR549, LLC , in an amount of $12,000.00 for HPC, HPC Transportation, NMT, & Adult Day services; the new total contract will be $81,000.
APPROVED - Resolution: 25-80(A) to approve a contract with The Metzenbaum Foundation, to fund the Family Home Based Services program and other related programs they oversee to support people
receiving services from Geauga Board of Developmental Disabilities, in the amount of $745,100. This Agreement will be effective 1/1/26 through 12/31/26.
APPROVED - Resolution: 25-81(A) to approve a grant request addendum for Empower Sports, to cover costs providing integrated recreation services, in the amount of $75,000. This is a renewal of the
grant agreement dated 7/1/21 for the period of 1/1/26 to 12/31/26. All terms and conditions of the original agreement will remain in effect.
APPROVED - Resolution: 25-82(A) to approve a grant request made by NPower Services Co., to cover costs to furnish the Integrated Recreation and Socialization program that supports various community
groups and activities, in the amount of $75,000. This grant is effective 1/1/2026 and will continue in effect through 12/31/2026.
APPROVED - Resolution: 25-83(A) to approve a grant request made by Rainbow of Hope, to help fund
operational costs serving people with intensive support needs who receive services from
Geauga DD, in the amount of $235,000. The grant period will run from November 1st, 2025, through October 31st, 2026. This will fund the Sunshine Training Center, which is used by the Amish community.
APPROVED - Resolution: 25-84(A) The Continuity of Operations Plan as presented and discussed at the October 15th, 2025 Board meeting. Observer Note: As contained in the Board packet this Observer obtained in advance of the meeting, this plan is to provide direction on how employees are to continue to serve clients in the event of an emergency. As stated in the plan, “the most common emergency that we face is a loss of electricity at the main building.”
APPROVED - Resolution: 25-85(A) - Policy and Procedure 3.25, Credit Card Use and Departmental Purchasing has been reviewed and recommended for adoption to provide clear guidelines for the proper use, management, and oversight of agency credit cards and departmental purchasing. As contained in the Board packet, the Policy would allow the agency to use standard credit cards for purchasing needs such as travel and online orders, and outlines which departments may hold cards, spending limits, required documentation, and employee responsibilities.
APPROVED - Resolution: 25-86(A) Disposal of Assets - The following assets were deemed disposable:
The Board received the following status and program reports:
Major Unusual Incidents (MUIs): Mr. Carlson said there were two unexpected deaths.
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One death was a resident in an intermediate care facility (ICF), and one was in a waiver home. Mr. Carlson said that, although these deaths were unfortunate, they were not the result of any negligence or accident.
Population & Residential Services:
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Mr. Carlson reported that population service numbers are unchanged.
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The residential waiver waiting list is at 7. The plan is to eliminate the waiver wait list.
Employment & HR Updates:
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Employment numbers were 191 (those who are eligible for services and are employed).
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Mr. Carlson also noted that the BODD staff remained at 60. He projected that this figure would be 59 at year-end 2025 after the retirement of 2 custodians and only 1 replacement.
Program Reports:
Mr. Carlson reviewed the reports from the following community partners:
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Npower had their fundraiser, and it was a great event.
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All the Halloween activities went very well, including trick or treating and the Halloween dance.
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There are flyers for the BODD’s Giving Tree holiday gift initiative posted in the lobbies.
General Announcements: Mr. Carlson announced that Bill Mann was recommended as a new Board member to Probate Judge Grendell, and it was his understanding that this recommendation would be accepted. The Board of County Commissioners did not yet take action on the appointment of Rebecca Bennett. Reviewer Note: The County Commissioners approved the appointment at their regular meeting on November 25, 2025. See LWVGeauga report on this meeting here.
Other Business/Comments - Mr. Lair asked if there were any comments from the floor.
A homeowner, Mr. David Contrell, spoke to the Board about the new material used for the playground surface. He said that he owns a home about 300 feet south of the playground, where his daughter and granddaughter live. He said that the surface is “pored in place” and he said it was done at the wrong temperature, which he said would cause additional problems. He cited studies that indicate these types of surfaces contain PFAS. Observer Note: According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), “PFAS are widely used, long lasting chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time.” See more information here. Mr. Contrell said that he has been impacted, although he also said that he is quite sensitive to these chemicals. He cautioned that others could be at risk for cancer.
Mr. Lair said that he thought their risk management group would be the best entity to explore this. Mr. Carlson said that the Risk Management group had come out and didn’t see any cause for concern. He said that there have been no other complaints. Some on the Board thought it wouldn’t hurt to look into it further. Mr. Lair said it would be good to document all the steps that were taken. Mr. Carlson said they could follow up with Risk Management.
Executive Session - There was no Executive Session.
The regular meeting adjourned at 7:29 pm.
The next BODD meeting is scheduled for December 10, 2025 at 6:00 pm.
Minutes when posted are available here: Board Minute Summaries|Geauga County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor: Carol Benton
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Submitted: November 25, 2025
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