Bed Tax Expanded to Include Smaller Units
Board of County Commissioners Meeting - February 24, 2026
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met in Regular Session on Tuesday, February 24, 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 410 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 and February 19, 2026.
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: Ric Blamer, Geauga Airport Manager; Engineer Andrew Haupt, PE, PS; Rob Weigle, Maintenance Director; Charles Tkach, Program Manager, Maintenance; Nick Gorris, Director, Water Resources; Prosecutor Jim Flaiz; Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand; Chief Deputy Sheriff Thomas Rowan.
Others in Attendance: Kathy Shimer, President, Destination Geauga; Deborah Ashburn, Senior Financial Specialist; ADP technicians for video; Max Yost, Communications/Media Specialist; Steven Oluic, President, Geauga County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board and candidate for County Commissioner; Allison Wilson, Geauga Maple Leaf reporter; Tom and Diane Jones; members of the public; and this Observer.
Observer Note: The video of the Meeting starts after the Financial Report.
Min. Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer (Commissioner Dvorak)
Min. Public Comment on Agenda Items - Ms. Bevan noted that this would be for comment on Agenda items only.
There were no comments from the public.
Minutes - No Minutes were submitted for approval. Observer Note: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for the BOCC are available online through February 24, 2026 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through October 28, 2025.
00 Min. Financial Report - Mr. Gorton received approval for the following: Observer Note: The video begins when there is a motion to approve the Financial Report, but the following information was available at the meeting, which this Observer attended in person.
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Vouchers:
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$62,966.83 from the Commissioners' Office to the Trumbull County Treasurer for Geauga County's pro rata share of the 11th District Court of Appeals budgeted costs for 2026
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$57,128.33 from Water Resources to HDR Engineering, Inc. for engineering services related to the McFarland WWTP (Waste Water Treatment Plant) Upgrades & Renovation Project
.16 Min. The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the following:
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To direct the Budget and Finance Manager, Adrian Gorton, to discount the 2026 Cost Allocation for the Building Capital and Maintenance Department charges by fifty percent (50%) on the invoices for the following departments: Department of Job and Family Services, Department on Aging, and the Department of Water Resources and continue to do so from year to year until otherwise directed to do differently. Observer Note: See the LWVGeauga Observer Report on the February 19, 2026 BOCC Meeting for more information.
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To execute the Request for Partial Payment #30 for Infinity Construction Company, Incorporated for the Geauga County Courthouse Expansion project, GMP Phase #1 and Phase #2 expenses in the amount of $406,967.97.
1:45 Min. The Auditor’s Office received approval to execute and file the monthly Statement of County Finances filed by the County Auditor for the month of January 2026, pursuant to O.R.C. 319.35.
The Treasurer’s Office received approval to execute and file the monthly Statement of County Finances filed by the County Treasurer for the month of January 2026, pursuant to O.R.C. 319.35.
1:52 Min. The Airport Authority received approval for Reimbursement Request #8 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 $113,760.37 (FAA Share $102,384.33, ODOT Share $5,688.02 and Local County match share $5,688.02). Mr. Blamer said they were at 88% completion at this point
2:40 Min. The County Engineer’s Office received approval for the following:
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To execute Resolution #26-029 to Order the Asphalt Resurfacing of Messenger Road (CH-0031, Sections B-C) in Auburn and Newbury Townships. This resolution also requests the Board approve and execute the Title Sheet of the Specifications for the same. Further, this resolution sets a Bid Opening on Friday, March 13, 2026, at 10:00 am using Bid Express at the County Engineer’s Office. Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on February 26, 2026, and on the county website.
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To execute Resolution #26-030 to Order the Asphalt Resurfacing of Mumford Road (CH-0024, Sections E-F) in Troy Township. This resolution also requests the Board approve and execute the Title Sheet of the Specifications for the same. Further, this resolution sets a Bid Opening on Friday, March 13, 2026, at 10:05 am using Bid Express at the County Engineer’s Office. Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on February 26, 2026, and on the county website. Mr. Haupt said this section is in the middle of Troy, connecting Stafford to Messenger.
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To execute Resolution #26-031 to Order the Replacement of the Pettibone Road Bridge (Structure #0607-01.250) in Bainbridge Township. This resolution also requests the Board approve and execute the Title Sheet of the Plans for the same. Further, this resolution sets a Bid Opening on Friday, March 20, 2026, at 10:05 am using Bid Express at the County Engineer’s Office. Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on February 26, 2026, March 5, 2026, and on the county website.
6:39 Min. The Maintenance Department received approval for the following:
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To approve the revised Organizational Chart to include an additional position of Technology Supervisor (#1910) and two additional positions of Custodian (#1906), to be effective February 24, 2026. Mrs. Brakey asked if they might remove the names from positions, so that if a person leaves or is hired, a new organizational chart would not need to be approved. Mr. Weigle said they would change this the next time a change is approved.
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To advertise for the position of Technology Supervisor (#1910). This position will remain posted until filled.
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To increase the current posting for the position of Custodian (#1906) from two to three positions available. These positions will remain posted until they are filled.
9:30 Min. The Department of Water Resources received approval to authorize Ralph Spidalieri, authorized representative, to execute the Ohio Water Development Authority Fund Payment Request #11 for the McFarland Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements Project for technical services by HDR Engineering Incorporated in the amount of $57,128.33.
10:15 Min. The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the following:
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To execute Resolution #26-032 Second Amendment, Approving the Use of County Credit Cards for Year 2026 for Offices and Departments (per attached, Exhibit A – revised), pursuant to O.R.C. 301.27.
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To execute the Applications for Authorization for the use of County Credit Cards forms for the Year 2026, per O.R.C. 301.27 for the Sheriff’s Office and Maintenance (additional employee).
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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 2026 (Quarters 1, 2, 3 and 4) for the Sheriff’s Office, First National Bank Visa, Wright Express, Home Depot and Centerra.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval to execute the following Resolutions honoring the following Girl Scouts Troops and individual Girl Scout Gold Award honorees:
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Girl Scout Troop #70011 for Achieving the Bronze Award, the highest honor for a Junior Girl Scout.
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Girl Scout Troop #70435 for Achieving the Bronze Award, the highest honor for a Junior Girl Scout.
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Honoring Sarah Miller for Achieving the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting.
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Honoring Madelyn Foerster for Achieving the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting.
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Honoring Brynne Krahe for Achieving the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting.
13:50 Min. Board Discussion – Strategic Plan, Bed Tax Expansion, Congressman David Joyce FY27 Community Project Funding. Observer Note: This section of the meeting was split into two in order to resolve a request from Prosecutor Flaiz.
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Strategic Plan - Ms. Bevan outlined the Strategic Plan for working with Departments under the authority of the BOCC. Four themes were specified: Protect Taxpayers, Prioritize People, Produce Modernization and Partner Forward. Ms. Bevan said, “Over the past nine months, I've gathered those initiatives and organized them into four central themes, what we're calling our lines of effort. The purpose of these lines of effort is to give departments a clear framework for generating and aligning their work with our broader organizational priorities. They are intended to create focus, accountability, and forward momentum across the entire organization. The Deputy County Administrator and I have identified several key projects within each line of effort to begin building that momentum. As we move forward, we will evaluate all of this work through the lens of the taxpayer. How does this make government more accessible, faster, and of a higher quality? Our vision is that the culmination of our 2026 efforts will be presented during a state of the county address in early 2027. At that time, the Deputy County Administrator and I will outline our 2026 accomplishments and present the next set of priorities for 2027. This will also provide an opportunity for department directors to highlight their respective achievements and their future goals.”
All three Commissioners were appreciative of the plan and the work that Ms. Bevan and Mr. Jimison have done in their respective roles.
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17:24 Min. Bed Tax Expansion - Ms. Bevan said that, “House Bill 94 allows counties to amend the definition of what a hotel is. It can include establishments with less than five rooms.” She said that the last time there was a resolution on bed tax was in 1991. She asked for a, “feel from the Board.” She wanted to know, “is it going down to one room or more or three rooms or more?”
Mrs. Brakey was interested in one or more. She said this would level the playing field for all options (inns, Airbnbs, etc.). Mrs. Brakey said she thought that Destination Geauga (the non-profit that promotes tourism in the county) receives about $60,000 a year. Ms. Ashburn came forward and said that she handles all the bed tax matters for the Commissioners. She emphasized that the Commissioners do not receive any funds, but they do the paperwork, which she estimated is about $95/quarter. She said that if Vrbo and Airbnb send the payments (instead of individual homeowners), then this would not be a lot of paperwork. She also said they would need to find out if the townships in which the Airbnb or Vrbo are situated collect bed tax. She said that Bainbridge and Thompson do not collect their own bed tax. The rate is currently 3%, and the townships who are not collecting get 10% of what is collected, and the rest goes to Destination Geauga. All of this parcelling out of the bed tax is done by Ms. Ashburn.
Mr. Spidalieri said, “I’m not for more taxes.” He also said, “How much is it going to cost us to manage and monitor a program like this, and what's really our return on the amount of time that we put in?”
Mrs. Brakey said she would like to try it. Mr. Dvorak also said it was worth a try. The Commissioners approved expanding the bed tax, with Mr. Spidalieri voting no.
Observer Note: At this point Prosecutor Flaiz came forward for the following discussion:
30:03 Min. The Prosecutor’s Office received approval to execute an Application for Appointment of Legal Counsel for Probate/Juvenile Court Judge Robert W. Berger and employ the firm of McDonald Hopkins.
Prosecutor Flaiz said that there is an employee on the Juvenile and Probate Court staff who is under investigation for a potential criminal matter, which is also related to work performance. Mr. Flaiz said that he cannot advise Judge Berger on this matter since he is “on the criminal side” as required by his job as a Prosecutor. He said, “it's unfortunate that the county has to expend money on this, but you know, I have a clear conflict, and Judge Berger really does need some help here.” Mrs. Brakey asked which attorney at McDonald Hopkins is assigned to the case and Mr. Flaiz said it was Bryan Kostura. Mr. Dvorak asked if this “all stems from the newspaper article and the letter (that) was sent out by an employee.” Mr. Flaiz responded, “You can draw your own conclusions.” He added, “Just as a general matter, I will tell you and make sure you let your employees know that, if you're on the clock and you're using your public email and public resources, … public employees don't do campaigning because that is a crime.”
36:46 Min. Board Discussion Continued - Congressman David Joyce FY 27 Community Project Funding
Ms. Bevan said, “we only have to submit initial requests by March 6 with an opportunity afterwards to submit additional documentation. So, I did a little bit of research, just to kind of look at what's been approved in the past from 2026. So, I'll discuss this with the Deputy County Administrator, but I wanted to see if you have a sentiment again about applying for these types of grants.” She said that some types of grants that were approved in the past were for things like emergency operations center relocation, baseline water improvement projects, sewer main projects, water main replacements, an aging senior center, and water line extensions. Ms. Bevan said she would look at some projects that might be “shovel ready” and also reach out to Congressman Joyce’s office to see if he could provide some feedback on what might be approved.
41:57 Min Public Comment -Before public comment, as Ms. Bevan was reading the instructions, she amended her comments to say that address was not required, only township or municipality. Observer Note: This was part of the change in the public comment policy approved at the prior BOCC meeting.
A Resident from Chesterland said, “I am here today to speak about the contract that Geauga County and Sheriff Hildenbrand have with ICE. I do not know what media feeds and information that you and the Sheriff have seen, but those that I have seen have been horrific and under no possible interpretation, in my opinion, can be considered law enforcement.” He went on to state, “Further, ICE is detaining thousands of people in abysmal conditions with no due process. I do not speak of Geauga County. I assume Sheriff Hildenbrand houses the detainees appropriately, but these people have no ability to speak to their families and no access to a lawyer in clear violation of their constitutional rights under the Fourth and Fifth amendments.”
The Sheriff’s Office received approval at 10:24 am to move into Executive Session for the purpose of preparing for, conducting, or reviewing negotiations or bargaining sessions with public employees concerning their compensation or other terms and conditions of their employment, pursuant to O.R.C. 121.22 (G)(4).
Return from Executive Session at 10:48 am with no action.
Observer Note: This Observer was not present in person during this part of the meeting.
Mr. Dvorak said, “I'm chairman of the America 250 Geauga. It's a committee of 50-55 people. The person that owns Schoolyard Studios, he offered to have the March meeting at his studio in Burton and have the four counties. Each county would have 15-20 minutes to brag about their county and highlight it. So I just wondered if it's okay with my fellow Commissioners to allow me to talk to Archives because they did something about three, four weeks ago.” Mrs. Brakey and Mr. Spidalieri didn’t have any objections.
Meeting adjourned at about 10:53 am.
Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: The next Regular Meeting of the BOCC will be on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH.
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor: Rooney Moy
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: March 4, 2026
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