Commissioner Brakey Voices Objection to Commissioner Spidalieri's Selection
of Mr. Claypool as His Alternate on NOACA Board
Board of County Commissioners Meeting - January 6, 2026
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met in Regular Session on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 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 and can be accessed here by scrolling down and clicking on the section for YouTube videos. Recordings are available for the public. This meeting can be found here. As of this report’s publication date, the video has been viewed 321 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.
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: Andrew Haupt, PE, PS, County Engineer; Robert Weigel, Maintenance Director; Liz Ruvino, Maintenance Contract Coordinator; Nick Gorris, Director, Water Resources; Craig Swenson, Executive Director, Job and Family Services (JFS); Matt Granito, Dog Warden.
Others in Attendance: Deputy Chief Sheriff Thomas Rowan; Austin Rice, Director, EMA (Emergency Management Agency); Brandon Reed, Deputy Director, EMA; Frank Antenucci, Chief Deputy Administrator, ADP; Walter (Skip) Claypool, Metropolitan Housing Authority Board Member; Adam Litke, Administrator, Geauga Public Health; Kathy Hostutler, Geauga Human Resources Administrator; Elaine Malkamaki, Program Director, Community and Economic Development; Anastasia Nicholas, Chagrin Valley Times reporter; Allison Wilson, Geauga Maple Leaf reporter; Tom and Diane Jones; members of the public and this Observer.
5:35 Min. Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer (Commissioner Dvorak)
Public Comment on Agenda Items - None
Minutes - No Minutes were submitted for approval. Observer Note: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for the BOCC are available online through January 6, 2026 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through September 24, 2025.
6:45 Min. Administrator’s Report - No report
The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the following:
-
to approve the encumbrances to be considered by the Board of Commissioners to be effective January 1, 2026. Mr. Gorton said this will allow for “no gap in purchasing.”
-
to establish the gas mileage reimbursement at the current Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rate of 72.5 cents, to be effective January 1, 2026, for the departments under the direction of the Geauga County Board of Commissioners.
7:30 Min. Financial Report - Mr. Gorton received approval for the following financials:
-
Appropriations transfer from the Common Pleas Court in their targeted community alternatives to Prison Fund to move resources out of their Other expense account and into materials and supplies and training expense accounts.
-
Contracts and blankets purchase orders from various departments for the new year, including travel requests from the Clerk of Courts to attend the monthly Ohio Clerk of Courts Association meetings in Columbus, Ohio, and from the Juvenile Court to attend the 2026 Intercourt Conference in Columbus, Ohio.
9:08 Min. The County Engineer’s Office received approval to execute Resolution #26-002 Authorizing the County Engineer to Undertake Projects Using Force Account in Certain Cases for Year 2026. Engineer Haupt explained that these provide limits on when the Engineer’s office is using its own crews and equipment to do such things as patching roads and repairing small culverts. He said that for large projects it is more cost effective and better for the taxpayer if these projects are bid out and done by contractors. Mr. Dvorak agreed that this is the best practice.
14:56 Min. The Department of Job and Family Services received approval for the following:
-
to re-appoint the following members to serve on the Family Services Planning Committee for a one-year term, effective January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026: Jessica Boalt, Jennifer Felker (Alternate – Nancy Santilli), Scott Hildenbrand, Andrea Pollack, Nathan Long, Nicole Walker, Donna Brown-Barrow, Tim Kehres, Teri Malnar, Angela North and Angela Spalsbury.
-
to appoint Mark Jimison to serve on the Family Services Planning Committee for a one-year term, effective January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026.
16:07 Min. The Maintenance Department received approval for the following:
-
to grant a waiver of the policy prohibiting the payment of late fees and finance charges and allow payment to the East Ohio Gas Company and the Illuminating Company for invoices received after the final financial session in 2025 and due prior to the first financials in January 2026 in an amount not to exceed $500.00. Mrs. Brakey asked what could be done to prevent these late charges and then suggested that the timing of payments could be part of the negotiations for the next contract.
-
to execute the service Contract Agreement with Shepp Electric Company to perform Inspections and Maintenance Services for the Geauga County Generators per the Director for the three-year period, January 11, 2026 through January 10, 2029 in an amount not to exceed $35,000.00. Mr. Weigel said that they have replaced three generators and that the one at the Courthouse is much bigger which is why the cost is higher than the previous contract.
-
to revise the job description and re-grade for the position of Administrative Coordinator (#1920) from Grade 7 to Grade 9 to be effective January 6, 2026. Mr. Weigel said that the new position will be crucial for fiscal operations.
-
to advertise for the position of Administrative Coordinator (#1920). This position will remain posted until filled.
21:15 Min. The Department of Water Resources received approval for the following:
-
to execute the service Contract Agreement with Santee Lock and More, LLC to perform Lock and Key related service and repairs, as needed, at various locations within the department, effective January 6, 2026 for a one-year period in an amount not to exceed $3,000.00.
-
to revise the Organizational Chart to move the position of Engineering Technician (#2304) from the CWA (Communications Workers of America) Bargaining Unit to the Water Resources Technical Pay Scale effective December 21, 2025 (Pay Period #1 of 2026) in accordance with the CWA Union Agreement. Mr. Gorris said that this moves this position out of the union contract and was part of negotiations. Mr. Gorris said this was a change that he wanted.
-
to revise the job description and re-grade the position of Engineering Technician (#2304) placing it on the Water Resources Technical Pay Scale as WR4, effective December 21, 2025 (Pay Period #1 of 2026).
-
to re-grade current employees in the position of Engineering Technician (#2304), Paul A. Kucharski and Joshua Smock, to the Water Resources Technical Pay Scale, $29.39 per hour (WR4, Step 3) effective December 21, 2025 (Pay Period #1 of 2026).
24:24 Min. The Commissioners held their Annual Organizational Meeting beginning at 9:49 am.
Observer Note: Many of these items were discussed in general at the prior BOCC meeting on December 30, 2025.
Officers - The BOCC elected Mr. Dvorak as President and Mrs. Brakey as Vice President.
Meeting Schedule - The Meeting Schedule for 2026 was accepted with meetings occurring on Tuesdays at 9:30 am except in the event of a Monday holiday in which case the meeting would shift to Thursday at 9:30 am. It was noted that live streamed meetings are available on the website here, and can be found by clicking the button for YouTube videos. Observer Note: The calendar of meetings can be found here.
Appointments to Boards and Committees - All Approved except # 10 NOACA - See discussion below this list.
Primary Alternate
-
ADP Spidalieri Brakey
-
Board of Revision Dvorak Brakey
-
Community Corrections Spidalieri Dvorak
-
Courthouse Security Advisory Cmte.* President (Dvorak) Spidalieri
-
Family First Brakey Dvorak
-
Geauga Co. Agriculture Society All Three Commissioners
-
Geauga-Trumbul Solid Waste-Policy* President (Dvorak) Spidalieri
Geauga-Trumbul SW- Bd Directors All Three Commissioners
8. Health District Advisory Board* Brakey Dvorak
9. Investment Advisory (2 commissioners) Dvorak Spidalieri
10. NOACA (Three Commissioners) No Vote Dvorak Andy Haupt
Brakey Shane Hajjar
Spidalieri Skip Claypool
11. NOC COG Dvorak Brakey
(Northeast Ohio Consortium Council of Governments)
12. Planning Commission Board All Three Commissioners
13. Revolving Loan and Dvorak Spidalieri
Local Revolving Loan**
* Board President as Primary
**Two-year appointments, expire 12/21/2027
26:56 Min. Mrs. Brakey said that she would renew her objection to Skip Claypool being appointed as an alternate for the NOACA Board. She provided a “formal disciplinary” letter from July 2014 from NOACA to Mr. Claypool while he was serving as an alternate for Mr. Spidalieri to the NOACA board. Mrs. Brakey stated that the letter “was a formal governmental action based on an outside investigation. The letter documents public and personal attacks on NOACA and its executive director, who is still the executive director, baseless accusations of dishonesty and unprofessional conduct, abuse of board access that interfered with agency operations, and most seriously, the letter references completely inappropriate personal statements made to the executive director during a telephone conversation." Mrs. Brakey continued, “as a result of this conduct it places some rather extraordinary restrictions, including strict monitoring on communications, mandatory copying of NOACA legal counsel, limit on contact with staff, and counsel has to be present at meetings. So to the best of my knowledge there is no other individual in this entire county who would be under these kinds of restrictions if they served on the NOACA board. Commissioner Spidalieri, my understanding is in your more than 13 years in office, you have attended only two NOACA meetings, none of which have occurred in the past decade. I don't say that to neg you, but because you know, in practice, your alternate is essentially the county's representative.” She continued, “that makes the choice of an alternate especially consequential. So this, in my opinion, this appointment exposes Geauga County to foreseeable and unreasonable liability.” Mrs. Brakey also referenced a lawsuit against the BOCC in reference to NOACA by Mr. Claypool related to public records, which was dismissed with costs assessed to Mr. Claypool. Mrs. Brakey stated further, “I don’t want to be having this conversation… but there is documented conduct, a law firm investigation, and ongoing restrictions and avoidable liability. I feel like appointing Mr. Claypool as NOACA alternate is indefensible from a governance and risk management perspective.”
Mr. Spidalieri disputed the charges in the letter, saying the investigation “was very, very one-sided” and that Mr. Claypool, “does represent this county, represents my views there with my positions…. I've discussed many, many issues that have come up and he's not afraid to ask the hard questions.” He stated that the questioning by Mr. Claypool takes NOACA ”off track or exposes them on things, and they don’t like it. So what’s the easiest way to try to do that is to try to bring some kind of negativity onto the person.” Mr. Spidalieri then recognized Mr. Claypool in the audience and asked him to come up. Mr. Spidalieri addressed Mrs. Brakey and said, “Once again, I understand it. You and Jim (Dvorak) don't like me and both of your missions is to try to undermine everything that I do and that's fine.” Mr. Spidalieri continued that there isn’t anyone who can show what the failures of NOACA have been over the last 14 years and “where Geauga has been short-changed.” He said Skip Claypool is one of the few who “pushes back.” He continued, “but what we are is, we're in a cesspool of Cuyahoga County and Cleveland that are basically taking our Geauga County money. And I think that if instead of arguing this letter, I think that the energy should be put to calling out NOACA and saying we want our money back in Geauga.” Observer Note: Find information about NOACA here.
37:31 Min. Mr. Dvorak said that Mr. Claypool could have 3 minutes (the usual public comment time period), but Mr. Spidalieri said, “he could have as much time as he wants because this isn't public comment.”
Mr. Claypool began by saying, “ So, Mrs. Brakey, you should really be careful slandering somebody.” Mr. Claypool went on to say that there was no investigation and that there were only allegations. He said, “So, I'd be very careful making those kinds of comments because they are slanderous.” He stated there was no due process and challenged the NOACA executive director “to come in here and show me that investigation…. All of those issues in that letter are lies and they were intended to intimidate me and to shut me up.” He finished by saying, “I’m always looking out for the best interest for the people in Geauga County. So, shame on you for using this as a smear tactic. That's generally the process or the tactic of a Democrat. They like to smear people and just call names in order to get people to shut up. I won't shut up. I will continue to look out for the citizens in Geauga County. Thank you. Thank you, Ralph, for standing up for me.”
After this exchange the Board voted unanimously to accept all appointments listed above except #10 (NOACA).
Observer Note: According to past NOACA composition, all three Commissioners are automatically on the NOACA Board. They could designate alternates. The BOCC failed to vote to approve any alternates, so Mrs. Blair said that the Commissioners would be the only ones able to vote from Geauga County. A proposed change to NOACA membership was made that would change the membership as set forth here. This was voted on at the NOACA special meeting on January 9, 2026 and approved. Mrs. Brakey confirmed that Mr. Claypool was present and did vote at the January 9th special meeting. New regulations require that if the designee is not in an elected position, he/she must serve in a position in transportation, environmental planning, land use planning, or economic development.
Mrs. Brakey also asked to confirm the procedure to follow if the primary is not available to attend. Ms. Blair said that the primary should let either Ms. Blair, Ms. Bevan or Mr. Jimison know if they cannot attend.
44:27 Min. Other Appointments considered separately: All Approved Unanimously.
-
Board of Revision - Mr. Dvorak as Primary and alternates Mrs. Brakey, then Mr. Spidalieri and Mr. Jimison
-
ADP Board - Mr. Spidalieri as Primary and alternates Mrs. Brakey, Mr. Dvorak and Ms. Bevan
-
Geauga Trumbull Solid Waste Committee - Adam Litke as alternate for Mr. Dvorak, then Mr. Spidalieri.
-
NOACA Water Quality Committee - Mr. Gorris with alternate Carmela Shale; NOACA Air Quality and Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory (BPAC) Committee - Mr. Gorris with alternate Mr. Dvorak
Staff Appointments - All Approved Unanimously
-
County Administrator - Amy S. Bevan
-
Deputy County Administrator - Mark Jimison
-
Clerk to the Commissioners - Christine Blair
-
The following Staff Appointments
-
Director, Department on Aging - Jessica Boalt
-
Director, Community and Economic Development - Gina Hofstetter
-
Chief Building Enforcement Official - Dan Spada
-
Director, Emergency Management Agency (EMA) - Austin Rice
-
Director, Job and Family Services - Craig Swenson
-
Director, Maintenance - Robert Weigle
-
Director, Water Resources - Nicholas Gorris
-
Sanitary Engineer, Water Resources - Nicholas Gorris
-
Dog Warden - Matt Granito
-
Acting County Administrator - Mark Jimison (in the event of Ms. Bevan being unavailable)
-
Acting Commissioners Clerk - Deborah Ashburn (in the event of Ms. Blair being unavailable).
-
Delegated Powers to County Administrator - Resolution #26-003 Authorizing the County Administrator to Exercise Powers Delegated hereby under the ORC (Ohio Revised Code) 305.30
-
Drainage Engineer - Andy Haupt
-
Prevailing Wage Coordinators - Nicholas Gorris and Shane Hajjar
-
Apiarist - Mark Dinishak
-
County Credit Cards - This Resolution approved Credit Card use for several offices - Auditor, ADP, Common Pleas Court (including Drug Court, Court IT, Probation), Engineer’s Office, BOCC (including Community and Economic Development), Job and Family Services and Maintenance. Ms. Blair said that others will be submitted in the coming weeks.
Mr. Spidalieri thanked the Directors and apologized for “the amount of chaos you are experiencing this year.” Observer Note: Mr. Spidalieri did not elaborate on the “chaos.” Last year, at the BOCC Organizational Meeting, the BOCC failed to renew the appointment of Administrator Gerald Morgan. After a search, Ms. Bevan was appointed Administrator on March 18, 2025. Later in the year, Ms. Burhenne resigned as Assistant County Administrator. Mr. Jimison was appointed to the newly designated Deputy County Administrator on October 7, 2025.
The organizational meeting concluded at 10:20 am.
56:04 Min. Board Discussion - The Dog Warden Matt Granito, discussed a partnership with the Ashtabula County Dog Warden.
Mr. Granito said that in the following week he would be bringing in a contract between Ashtabula County and Geauga County to enable the Geauga County Dog Shelter to take dogs from Ashtabula as a temporary measure while Ashtabula is making other arrangements. He said that the Ashtabula Animal Protective League had been taking the dogs from Ashtabla but had stopped doing so. He said that this would be a one-year contract and that Ashtabula would pay boarding, as well as medical fees and expenses. Geauga County would also perform euthanasia for sick and aggressive dogs. Mr. Granito said that the total number of dogs they might take could be as many as 300, double the current intake.
Mrs. Brakey suggested that the county needed to look at long range solutions, and Mr. Granito said he would be putting together an estimate, but that the $200,000 already given to the dog shelter would only help keep things going at the current shelter for another five years. There was a discussion of using a 501(c)(3) to raise money. Mr Swenson, JFS Director, said that they have a 501(c)(3) that is used in this way.
Ms. Bevan said that she appreciated the ease with which they were able to make this work, which was a testament to Mr Granito. Mr. Dvorak complemented Mr. Granito on improving communication with the Sheriff’s office and others.
1:10:44 Min. Other Topics for Board Discussion
Mr. Spidalieri asked Ms. Blair to find out if Board action is necessary to appoint alternates to represent Commissioners for NOACA. Mr. Spidalieri said that in his opinion they could appoint whoever they wanted as their alternates. Ms. Blair said that in her opinion if the Board didn’t take action at this meeting, that no alternates would be accepted and if a Commissioner was not present, then “your seat would be vacant as to a vote and no one would be able to vote on your behalf.” Mr. Spidalieri again asked Ms. Blair to look into this question. She responded that they wouldn’t just take her word without Board action. Mr. Spidalieri concluded, “You can look into it, but I’ll tell you that Skip is my alternate.”
1:12:21 Min. Public Comment
Mr. Claypool again addressed the Board concerning the NOACA letter and his response. He handed a letter to the Commissioners and the press, which he said was a response to the letter from NOACA in 2014. He said that his ”sole interaction with NOACA is in public with a very few exceptions.” He also said that there had never been an investigation of the allegations. He said that there was, “no investigation and I would challenge you Carolyn to give me a report. There was no investigation done. There was simply an executive meeting. They put together some allegations. They wanted to get me to shut up which didn't work.” He addressed Mrs. Brakey and said, “I challenge you. I challenge you to give me proof. Not allegations, not some hearsay that somebody told you, oh, somebody told me you said this. No, you're an attorney. You know better than that, Carolyn.”
Mrs. Brakey asked if the restrictions listed by NOACA in the 2014 letter to Mr. Claypool are still in place. Mr. Claypool said that the restrictions are immaterial. He ended with an admonition, “there's no there there, there's just an allegation and and I'd be very careful about that.”
This Observer asked about the status of the letter that Mr. Claypool had given to Ms. Blair with the instruction to “put this in the record.” It was decided to put that letter and the one referenced by Mrs. Brakey in the public record of the meeting
Meeting adjourned at about 10:43 am.
Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: The next Regular Meetings of the BOCC will be on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH.
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor: Rooney Moy
Reviewer: Carol Benton
Date Submitted: January 10, 2026
The League of Women Voters Geauga is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. They do not support or oppose individual candidates or parties. Learn more about the LWVG at www.lwvgeauga.org.