Commissioners Vote to Return Approximately $1.7 Million
in Property Taxes to Residents
Board of County Commissioners Meeting - December 16, 2025
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met in Regular Session on Tuesday, December 16, 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, the video has been viewed 283 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: Shane Hajjar, Deputy Engineer; Nicole Crawford, “Be A Santa to a Senior” Coordinator for Home Instead; Nora McGinnis, Deputy Director and Joan Windnagel, Board Member, Geauga Board of Elections; Linda Crombie, Director, Planning Commission; Celesta Mullins, Recorder; Michelle Pemberton, Director, Geauga Veteran’s Services Commission; John Riha, AMVETS, President of the Veterans Services Commission; Brandon Reed, Deputy Director, Emergency Management (EMA); Jessica Boalt, Director, Office on Aging; Bob Weigel, Maintenance Director; Liz Ruvino, Contract Coordinator, Maintenance; and Dog Warden Matt Granito, Deputy Warden Evans and Shelter volunteer Lisa Lowry.
Others in Attendance: Kenston High School senior class officers Cal Buchanan, Secretary, and Brendan Scheuer, Treasurer; Kenston Superintendent Bruce R. Willingham and Kenston High School Principal Tom Gabram; Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand; Deputy Sheriff Thomas Rowan; Adam Litke, Health Administrator, Geauga Public Health; Elaine Malkamaki, Program Director, Community and Economic Development; Anastasia Nicholas, Chagrin Valley Times reporter; Allison Wilson, Geauga County Maple Leaf reporter; Tom and Diane Jones; members of the public and this observer from the League of Women Voters Geauga.
6:26 Min. Pledge of Allegiance - Lead by Kenston High School senior class officers
The class officers thanked the Commissioners for having them there. Secretary Cal Buchanan said he had applied for appointment to the United States Naval Academy, and Treasurer Brendan Scheuer was accepted at Ohio State and is also applying to Purdue.
A prayer was offered by Mr. Dvorak.
Public Comment - Ms. Bevan reminded the public that this first opportunity to comment was for anyone to comment on an item on the Agenda that the Commissioners would discuss and then vote on. There were no public comments at this point.
Minutes - No minutes were submitted for approval. Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for the BOCC are available online through December 16, 2025 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through September 24, 2025.
11:40 Min. Financials - Mr. Gorton received approval for the following:
Transfers
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Cash transfer from the Board of DD (Developmental Disabilities) from their operating fund to their reserve balance fund.
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Transfer from the Commissioners’ miscellaneous operating transfers out account to the Law Library.
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Transfer from the General Fund to the county facility bond retirement fund for the remaining amount of money needed to pay the principal and interest payments for next year for the Geauga County Office Building (GCOB) bonds.
Incumbrances
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Formal contract from the Commissioners to Delta Designs Limited for the high density storage cabinets for the Clerk of Courts in the new part of the courthouse.
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Contract PO (Purchase Order) from Maintenance to Junction Auto Sales for a new 2026 Dodge Ram ProMaster cargo van to be used for HVAC maintenance work.
Vouchers
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$1,782,884.95 from the Commissioners’ Office to Infinity Construction company for pay requests number 26 and 27 of the courthouse expansion project.
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$433,315 from Community Development to Chardon City Schools for the demolition of old buildings at the new bus garage paid for by the state demolition and site revitalization grant.
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$580,183.19 from the Engineer's Office to Ronyak Paving Incorporated for the reconstruction and resurfacing of Butternut Road as well as crack sealing on various county roads.
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$106,526.78 from Maintenance to Gov Trust Partners LLC for the safety center visitation room alterations.
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$276,201.82 from the Sheriff's Office to Preston Chevrolet and Hall Public Safety for the purchase and upfit of four new 2025 Tahoe Police Pursuit vehicles.
14:25 Min. The Commissioners’ Office received approval to execute Resolution #25-215 Proclaiming Recognition of Continued Support of the “Be a SANTA to a Senior” program for 2025 in Geauga County. Nicole Crawford, the coordinator of this program, thanked the Commissioners for their support and said that 500 seniors were reached from Geauga and Lake Counties. Mrs. Brakey asked if someone could adopt a senior now. Ms. Crawford said that they do this every year, but the time period to “adopt” is over for this year.
16:24 Min. The Board of Elections received approval to execute Resolution #25-216 Honoring Michelle Lane upon her Retirement for over twenty-one years of service to Geauga County. Board Member Joan Windnagel and Deputy Director Nora McGinnis were present, although Ms. Lane was not present. Ms. McGinnis said that, “She was a great person.” Ms. Windnagel said that the Director position will be advertised for one week, and the application deadline is December 22, 2025. Ms. Windnagel also reported that one current employee has applied, and there were two other applicants. She also announced that the Board of Elections will be closed from December 24, 2025 to January 2, 2026 and that this information will be on their website.
21:13 Min. The Commissioners’ Office discussed the suspension of the Job and Family Services 0.5 mill Children’s Services Levy due to the large surplus in the General Fund at the end of the year. Ms. Bevan said that “this idea of suppressing a levy came up last week following the session in our discussion of the budget. Following the session I emailed Auditor Walder to ask him what the procedures are for doing such an action should the Commissioners decide that they wanted to take action. Auditor Walder very quickly responded and invited me to attend the Budget Commission meeting which was held yesterday, which Commissioner Brakey, Adrienne Gordon and I attended. Reviewer Note: The LWV Geauga Observer Report on the December 15, 2025 Budget Commission meeting is available here. There was debate during the Budget Commission, and they proactively agreed to the full suppression of the 0.5 mil JFS levy which would return approximately $1.6 million to the taxpayers.” She went on to say that she “did learn that this action is late in the realm of the Budget Commission. If the Commissioners choose to adopt the resolution that's been drafted today, it would still need to be approved by Columbus.” She said that “the Prosecutor's Office has developed a resolution which was just delivered (after the start of the meeting), and it should cover both the action to suppress as well as the required amended rate resolution.” The motion was unanimously approved to do whatever was necessary to implement this suspension. Observer Note: In the past, when there was a similar suspension, the Commissioners issued supplemental cash transfers to JFS out of the General Fund so that JFS does not have to cut any services.
Mrs. Brakey said that the Commissioners should “get ahead of this going forward.” She said they are now in a situation where the Budget Commission is telling the Commissioners what to do with our cash carryover. She stated that “We should be telling the Budget Commission what our plan is.”
Observer Note: The BOCC posted on their website that this action is going forward and has received all necessary approvals. See the news release from the Commissioners here. Ms. Bevan mentioned the figure (approximate) of $1.6 Million, but the press release uses the figure of $1.7 Million. At 98% collection, the 0.5 mill JFS levy collects $1,638,965, though actual collection is usually above 98%. The figure difference is likely due to rounding differences.
30:39 Min. The County Engineer’s Office received approval to approve and execute the Agreement to extend Contract Execution Date, with Geauga Highway Company, by an additional thirty (30) days for the Asphalt Resurfacing of Gingerich Road (CH-0034, Section A) in Burton Township, pursuant to O.R.C. 153.12. Mr. Hajjar said that at the end of the construction season they look at the budget and see if they can do an end-of-year project. It was determined that they didn’t need to encumber the funds, but that they will do this in January. He said the project will still start in May 2026.
32:26 Min. The Planning Commission received approval to execute the Final Plat for the Samuel Whiting Survey, Replat of Sublot 15, creating Sublot 15-A, in Chester Township. Ms. Crombie said it was a consolidation.
33:20 Min. The Recorder’s Office received approval for the following:
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To execute the Computer System and Software License Sales Agreement, Geauga County Ohio Recorder – Land Records, including Schedule A (LifeCycle Agreement), Schedule B (Software Maintenance Service), Schedule C (Hardware Maintenance Services), Schedule D (Remote Access and Community Outreach Products), Schedule E (Hardware, Software and Services), Schedule F (Bastion – AVID Hosting Service), and Schedule G between Geauga County and Fidlar Technologies for cash receipting, indexing and imaging/microfilming systems for a 5-year term beginning January 1, 2026 at the rate not to exceed $50,000.00 per 12 month period.
Recorder Celeste Mullins said that they are removing the server they had used and moving over to ADP (Automatic Data Processing). Mrs. Brakey asked if this is software that the County already has, and Ms. Mullins said it was not.
Ms. Pemberton said that “since 2013, we have been issuing Veteran ID cards to our fellow veterans through the Recorder’s Office in collaboration with the Veterans Services. This will be a mobile machine. Ms. Pemberton said that various veterans do not want to travel outside the county to get their Veteran ID. Ms. Mullins also confirmed that they have ADP approval.
39 Min. The Geauga County Veterans Service Commission received approval for the utilization of remaining 2025 funds to purchase a dog tag engraving machine ($17,956.00) and to have the donated 1889 42 Star Flag professionally framed for display (Full display - $19,505.00, Partial display - $15,839.00). Veterans Services Commission President John Riha spoke about how important it was for veterans to have easy access to their veteran’s identity through a dog tag which is always with them. This will be a mobile machine that they can take out to nursing homes and other places.
42:16 Min. The Department on Aging received approval for the following:
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To revise title and job description for the position of Assistant Senior Centers’ Supervisor to Assistant Senior Centers’ Manager (#1307) to be effective December 16, 2025.
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To approve the promotion of Kristen Bibby to the position of Full-time Social Services Coordinator (#1029) to be effective December 22, 2025 with a 180-day probationary period.
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To approve the revised Organizational Chart to update the title of Assistant Senior Centers’ Manager (#1307) and to move the Home Delivered Meals Coordinator position under the supervision of the Social Services Coordinator, to be effective December 16, 2025.
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To advertise for the position of Full-time Assistant Senior Centers’ Manager (#1037). This position will remain posted until filled.
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To advertise for the position of Full-time Social Services Worker (#1022). This position will remain posted until filled.
46:27 Min. The Department of Community and Economic Development received approval to terminate the three-party Contract between Geauga County, Roland and Amy Foliart and Loze Enterprises, LLC for the demolition and site revitalization of property at 15180 Munn Road, Newbury, as the property owners no longer desire to meet the requirements of the Ohio Department of Development Demolition and Site Revitalization Grant Program and are requesting the County terminate the contract.
48 Min. The Emergency Management Agency (EMA) received approval to execute the service Contract Agreement with DEX Imaging for the purchase of a Ricoh IMC3510 Copier and a Ricoh IMC300 F Copier, and to provide all parts, labor, travel for all service, preventative maintenance, toner and image units, for a five-year period, in an amount not to exceed $48,964.00.
The Maintenance Department received approval for the following:
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To execute the service Contract Agreement with Air Force One to remove and install a new hot water boiler in the Geauga County Safety Center, effective December 16, 2025, with work to be completed within 180 days in an amount not to exceed $57,347.00.
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To execute Contract Maintenance Form #1, increasing the service Contract Agreement with S.A. Comunale Company, Incorporated for additional maintenance services for the fire suppression system at the Geauga County Safety Center in the amount of $15,000.00 for a new not to exceed amount of $30,000.00. Ms. Bevan said that the service repairs were underestimated.
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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, effective December 16, 2025, with work to be completed within 180 days, in an amount not to exceed $49,817.00.
Mr. Weigel thanked the Board and Ms. Bevan for giving him the opportunity to step into the Maintenance Director position.
52:06 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 #6 for Shook Construction Company for the McFarland Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements project in the amount of $844,859.60 and execute the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) Contractor’s Estimate and the OWDA Fund Payment Request #6 in the amount of $844,859.60.
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To authorize Ralph Spidalieri, authorized representative, to execute the Ohio Water Development Authority Fund Payment Request #9 for the McFarland Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements Project for technical services by HDR Engineering Incorporated in the amount of $42,373.59.
55 Min. The Dog Warden presented a State of the Dog Shelter Address. Observer Note: This was a report only. No actions were taken by the Commissioners.
Here are a few highlights:
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The Geauga County shelter has an overall 90% live release (to adoption), and can be up to 95%. Since 2002 they have the highest adoption rate in the State.
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They have 24/7 emergency response with three full-time and two part-time employees
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Mr. Granito said Ohio law needs to be revised to permit Dog Wardens to take action when someone dies and there is a dog in the house
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They now have radios for communication between staff and they have cameras installed at the Shelter that will read license plates.
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They are investigating the use of credit card machines so they can reduce the amount of cash. Right now they do not accept checks so all transactions are in cash.
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They are working on getting Policies and Procedures manuals for staff and volunteers.
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They have implemented an Emergency Assistance Program if an owner gets sick and their dog is in the car. The owner or family member has five days to claim the dog.
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They are working with the Auditor’s Office to provide a QR code for dog registration. They are going to mail out postcards to notify people that they need to have a dog registered. They are also going to implement an emergency alternate contact system, so if someone dies or gets sick, there is someone designated to provide care and/or make decisions for the dog.
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Shelter Improvements: Mr. Granito said that they need improvements to the Impound and Adoption areas and upgraded kennels for dog and staff safety. The $250,000 approved by the Commissioners has not been spent as they are still trying to determine the best course of action. A company (not identified) came up and gave an estimate that $70,000 will be needed just for immediate items. Mr. Granito thought it might be best to start over with a new shelter. He said an architect is coming out to take a look.
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Technology improvements have been made through the assistance of ADP, including archiving records.
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Avery’s Law was just passed and is ready to be signed by the Governor. This will allow the Dog Warden to confiscate a vicious dog until the Court can rule on the disposition. Mr. Granito said he was going down to the Statehouse to see the signing of this law. Observer Note: Governor DeWine did sign this law. More information here.
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1:25 Min. Two 5 month old dogs came into the meeting at this point. They arrived from Tennessee the past weekend with a total of 12 dogs.
Mrs. Brakey asked about different possibilities for raising revenue, and Mr. Granito said they are looking at increasing some fees, and they are also examining the possibility of becoming a 501(3)(c).
1:35:20 Min. Board Discussion - Ms. Bevan had one item for discussion, which was the fire alarm monitoring system for the Courthouse. She said that they can’t get a certificate of occupancy without this. They have been working with the Prosecutor’s Office and have a recommendation for a system from Guardian. She said that two companies could do it, with the other one being Silco. Mr. Jimison said Guardian is offering a three-year contract, $2,400 a year to monitor and $14,978 to install, with $7,000 due as a deposit. The other contractor, Silco, would not give a timeline and would not be able to install the system as quickly. Mr. Jimison said that according to a new Ohio law, there will be different requirements for fire monitoring in all county systems. Observer Note: Although not mentioned at this meeting, a new Fire Code for Ohio has been announced. See Announcement here.
Public Comment
This observer asked two questions about the approved Levy suppression of the JFS 0.5 Mill Levy. The first question was if JFS Executive Director Craig Swenson was aware of the levy suppression. The second question was about the increased estimate of cash carryover that went from $6 Million to $15 Million. Ms. Bevan said that Mr. Swenson is aware of the suppression. She also said that Mr Gorton could answer the question about the increase in cash carryover after the meeting. Observer Note: After the meeting, Mr. Gorton said that the difference is made up of many factors, including uncertainty about how much money that was appropriated was not going to be used by departments.
Anastasia Nicholas asked whether they expect the State to accept the levy suppression. Mrs. Brakey said it would be a Christmas miracle if it happened, and Mr. Dvorak thought it would be accepted. Reviewer Note: An email from the State Department of Taxation forwarded to this reviewer by the Auditor’s Office confirmed that the State of Ohio has accepted the revision of Geauga’s tax rates caused by the suppression of the 0.5 mill JFS levy.
A South Russell resident talked about the Wreaths Across America ceremony. Mr. Dvorak and Mrs. Brakey both attended the one in Burton, and Mrs. Brakey said it was very well attended despite the bad weather.
1:45:19 Min. Executive Session - The Commissioners received approval at 11:09 am to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the compensation of public employees, pursuant to O.R.C. (Ohio Revised Code) 121.22(G)(1).
1:56 Min. Return from Executive Session at 11:21 am with the following action:
Approval of a 3% increase in payroll. This action is a 3% increase for 2026 effective 12/21/25 to adjust the wage scales and compensation of the non-bargaining unit employees current and active under the hiring authority of the Board of County Commissioners with the exception of the Department of Job and Family Services.
Mrs. Brakey asked why JFS was excluded, and Ms. Blair said it was because they operated on a different calendar year and they would be adjusted later for implementation July 1, 2026.
1:59 Min. Meeting adjourned at approximately 11:29 am.
Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: The next two Regular Meetings of the BOCC will be on Tuesday, December 23, and Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH.
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor: Rooney Moy
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: December 26, 2025
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