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Commissioners Host Military Signing Day and 

Agree to Purchase the Geauga Library Administration Building

Board of County Commissioners Meeting - May 12, 2026

Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met in Regular Session on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 9:30 am for a Regular Meeting at the Geauga County Office Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH.  BOCC 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 400 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 24, 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: Michele Pemberton, Director, and Stacie Malone, staff member, Geauga  Veterans Services; Ric Blamer, Manager, Geauga County Airport; Chris Schloss, President of the Geauga Airport Board; Shane Hajjar, Deputy Engineer; Jessica Boalt, Director, Department on Aging;  Melissa Weaver, Senior Center Manager; Matt Granito, Dog Warden; Chuck Tkach, Maintenance Project Manager; Nick Gorris, Director, Water Resources; Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand; Chief Deputy Sheriff Thomas Rowan.

Others in Attendance: Wendy Zelle, First Energy representative for Geauga County; Charles “Skip” Boehnlein, Member of the Geauga Veterans Services Commission Board; Skip Claypool, member of the Geauga Metropolitan Housing Authority Board; Kris Carroll, Director, Geauga Public Library; Tim Lennon, former County Commissioner; Adam Litke, Lake/Geauga Health Commissioner; Chagrin Valley Times reporter Anastasia Nicholas; other members of the public and press, and LWVG Observer Gail Roussey (virtually). Observer Note:  This Observer attended this meeting virtually, so it is possible that more public officials were in the public section than those listed above.

8:58 Min. Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer (Commissioner Dvorak) 

10:00 Min. Commissioners Celebrate Military Signing Day - Geauga County high school seniors from the Chardon, Kenston and West Geauga Local School Districts were recognized for their commitment to serve our nation through enlistment in the United States Armed Forces, participation in the Reserve Officers Training Corps at the collegiate level, or appointment to a United States Service Academy. They received a certificate from the Veteran Services Office.

22:40 Min. Public Comment on Agenda Items

A gentleman from South Russell congratulated the students for their decision to serve and talked about the benefits of service.

Mr. Claypool spoke in regard to the sale of the Library Administrative Building: “there's a number of us that are concerned because, first of all, that building was built with taxpayer dollars. And now we're buying it with taxpayer dollars.”

Minutes - No Minutes were submitted for approval.  Observer Note: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for the BOCC are available online through May 12, 2026 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through December 30, 2025.  

Report of Administrator Amy Bevan - No report.

26:35 Min. The Commissioners’ Office received approval to execute Resolution #26-066 Authorizing the Purchase and Lease of Property, located at 12701 Ravenwood Drive, Chardon (PPN 13-705027), including to approve and execute the Real Estate Purchase Agreement between the Geauga County Public Library and the Geauga County Board of Commissioners for the purchase of real property located at 12701 Ravenwood Drive, Chardon (PPN 13-705027) in the amount of $3,200,000.00 which includes a deposit of $10,000.00 Earnest Money, applied to the purchase price; approve and execute the Lease Agreement between the Geauga County Board of Commissioners (Lessor) and the Geauga County Public Library (Lessee) to lease property located at 12701 Ravenwood Drive from effective date of purchase through June 30, 2027 in the amount of $1.00 per annum with all utilities paid by lessee including maintenance and repairs during term of the lease up to $5,000.00 per each occurrence and further approve and authorize the President of the Board to execute any and all documents relating in any way to the purchase of the Property, including, but not limited to, the acceptance of Closing Protection Coverage in an amount not to exceed $40.00.

Ms. Boalt spoke about the importance of the purchase of this building to meet the needs of seniors in Geauga County.  She said that this is the result of a decade of work.  She said the need for a new Senior Center was evident as early as 2015, when planning began.  In 2019 there was a sale of their offices and they moved to 470 Center St.  She said that the Library Administrative Building met all their needs and would not be difficult to get ready for them.  The most important addition will be for the commercial kitchen.  She said that they absolutely need a commercial kitchen for the Senior Center. 

Ms. Carroll expressed her thanks to the Commissioners and staff.  She said that this will enable the library to move into a new facility which will be used as an Administrative office and the Chardon Branch of the Geauga Library.

Ms. Bevan said that if the project goes through, they will need an architect’s review.  She said that on Thursday, there will be a meeting to talk about facilities, including what happens to the County owned property at 470 Center St. Reviewer Note: The LWVG Observer Report on this meeting is available here.  She said that the Senior Center is the largest entity still there and that the County has determined that vacating 470 Center St. is an important step.

Mrs. Brakey asked if the Senior Center will be relocating from 470 Center St.  Ms. Bevan said that they will be discussing various options at the special meeting on Thursday, May 14 on what to do if 470 Center St is vacated before they have occupancy of the Chardon Administration Building. 

Mr. Dvorak said that this is a long range plan and will help seniors.  He said that they looked at this “from all
angles.”

Mr Spidalieri said that the senior center (in Chardon) has always been a challenge. He said that Geauga has a growing senior population and this is about quality of life for seniors for years to come.  He also noted that this will allow them to get rid of 470 Center St.

Mrs. Brakey agreed that 470 Center St. should be sold, but she was concerned about what could happen if property taxes are eliminated.  She also said that the purchase price of the Library Administration building is over the appraised value. She said, ”my other trepidation is frankly the purchase price, which is at $3.2 million. We had an appraisal done which came in at $1.8 million.“

Motion approved, with Mr. Spidalieri and Mr. Dvorak voting yes and Mrs. Brakey voting no.

52:56 Min. Report of Financials - County Finance Manager Adrian Gorton received approval for the following:

Transfers

• Cash transfer from the General Fund to Community Development, Metzenbaum and the Board of Elections for the first quarter 2026 interest transfer. 

• Transfer from the General Fund to the Board of Developmental Disabilities for gas well proceeds from January through March of 2026. 

• Transfer from the revolving loan fund to the senior center construction fund for the purchase of the Chardon senior center building. Observer Note:  This was not specified, but presumably is for the purchase of the Library Administration Building (approved above) for the use of the Senior Center.

Incumbrance for travel from the Common Pleas Court to replace encumbrance number 2026-2124 due to it being inadvertently deleted and to change the name of the person traveling. 

Vouchers  

• $206,676 from the Auditor for Geospatial Information Systems Cloud Platform. 

• $77,000 from the Commissioners’ Office to the following: Chardon Municipal Court for $30,000, Fairmount Center for the Arts for $22,000, and Red Tulip Project of Geauga for $25,000. These are the 2026 recipients of the annual grant money from the opioid remediation fund. 

• $10,000 from the Commissioners to Title Professionals Group for the earnest money payment for the purchase of the County Public Library Administration building as the next Chardon Senior Center.

• $102,586 from the Maintenance Department to Kenneth A. Roderick for the county barn roof replacement.

Mr. Spidalieri said that at the prior meeting he missed the financial that was approved for candy and dog treats for the Auditor for the Maple Festival in the amount of $1,077.

Mr. Gorton said that it had been paid and it would cost the taxpayers more money than they would get back to rescind it.  

Mr. Spidalieri said that he didn’t think it seemed quite right and was approached by many people about this after last week’s meeting.  He said that he didn’t know if it was illegal or unethical, but he got a lot of feedback on it.

Mrs. Brakey said she personally paid for candy for the Trunk or Treat for the Sheriff's Department.

Mr. Gorton said that the Probate Court has significant expenses under “community outreach" especially during an election year.  Mr. Gorton said that going forward it would be good to have an agreement that elected officials shouldn’t be paid for candy for events like this.  

Mr. Dvorak said that this was a good time to review all the “community outreach” spending.

1:05:44 Min. The Airport Authority received approval to execute Resolution #26-068 Approving the Grant Contract under Fiscal Year 2026 Ohio Airport Improvement Program Matching Grant for General Aviation Airports between the Geauga County Airport Authority, Geauga County Board of Commissioners, and the Ohio Department of Transportation, Office of Aviation, to Construct T-Hangar 59’x 218’ ODOT Project No. B26-61 at the Geauga County Airport and Authorizing the President of the Geauga County Board of Commissioners to execute the Grant Contract on the Board’s behalf.

Mrs. Brakey confirmed that the Commissioners’ APA (Assistant Prosecuting Attorney) hasn’t signed off on it.  She also said that the criteria referred to in the agreement are unknown.  Ms. Blair said that she had that information but it was unclear whether that was the definition in question.  Mrs. Brakey said she felt uncomfortable doing anything without the APA approving it.

Mr. Dvorak made a motion, seconded by Mr. Spidalieri for approval contingent on the approval of the APA.  That motion passed with Mrs. Brakey voting no. 

A further resolution to execute the agreement was deferred pending approval by the APA and will come back to the Commissioners at the next meeting.

1:15:00 Min. The County Engineer’s Office received approval for the following:

• To execute Resolution #26-069 to Order the Asphalt Resurfacing of Bass Lake Road (CH-0023, Sections D-E) in Munson and Newbury Townships, Geauga County. 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, May 29, 2026, at 10:05 a.m. using Bid Express at the County Engineer’s Office. Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on May 14, 2026, and on the county website.

• To execute Resolution #26-070 to Order the Asphalt Resurfacing of Bass Lake Road (CH-0023, Sections F-G) in Munson Township, Geauga County. 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, May 29, 2026, at 10:10 a.m. using Bid Express at the County Engineer’s Office. Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on May 14, 2026, and on the county website.

• To execute Resolution #26-071 to Order the Replacement of the Bascom Road Bridge (Structure #0069-0101) in Hambden 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, May 29, 2026, at 10:15 a.m. using Bid Express at the County Engineer’s Office. Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on May 14, 2026, and on the county website.

1:17:20 Min. The Dog Warden received approval to close the Dog Shelter to the public on Mondays, due to low staffing, lower customer traffic, and the need to allow staff additional time to complete law enforcement duties, training and required administrative work, effective May 18, 2026.

Mr. Granito said that he was going to bring a dog into the meeting but it got adopted out in the hallway.  It was a 5 month old dog.  He said that he would still be around on Mondays but this would help them get various tasks done.  

1:20:18 Min. The Maintenance Department received approval for the following:

• To execute Change Order #2, increasing the Contract with Ohio Paving and Construction Company, Incorporated for the Safety Center Parking Lot Repave project for the re-routing of storm drain to accommodate unknown communication lines discovered during construction in the amount of $564.72 for a new not to exceed amount of $875,603.49 which includes $978.69 credit for a catch basin that wasn’t required, and a new charge for re-routing cables in the amount of $1,543.41.  Mr. Tkach said the project should be done in about three weeks.

• To advertise for Bids for the Geauga County Opera House Masonry Repair and Restoration Project to be held on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on May 15, 2026, May 27, 2026, and on the county website.  Mr. Tkach said this is like a facelift for the Opera House on all three sides.

1:24:37 Min. The Department of Water Resources received approval for the following:

• To execute the service Contract Agreement with All Lift Service Company to perform Water section forklift repair, and maintenance and repairs, as needed at both Wastewater and Water District locations within the department, for a one-year period, effective May 12, 2026 in an amount not to exceed $6,500.00 ($3,500.00 Wastewater and $3,000.00 Water).

• To grant a waiver of policy prohibiting the payment of late fees and finance charges and allow payment to the East Ohio Gas Company for invoices received after the final financial session in 2025, that were due prior to the first financial session in January 2026, in an amount not to exceed $10.00.

• To close the current posting advertising for two (2) positions of Maintenance Worker (#2330), one position at McFarland Wastewater Treatment Plant and one position for the Water District.

• To grant permission to advertise for the position of Maintenance Worker (#2330) under the Maintenance and Operators section of Wastewater. This position will remain posted until filled.

• To grant permission to advertise for the position of Maintenance Worker (#2330) at the McFarland Wastewater Treatment Plant. This position will remain posted until filled.

• To grant permission to advertise for the position of Wastewater Operator I (#2326), internally for a period of five working days, if no qualified candidate is presently employed within the department, then advertise externally until the position is filled.

The Commissioners’ Office  received approval for the following:

• To execute Resolution #26-072 Fourth Amendment, Approving the use of County Credit Cards for the Year 2026 for Agencies and Cardholders to include the Dog Warden (Geauga Credit Union Visa) and to add users for the Department of Job and Family Services (Wright Express) and to remove a user for the Department of Water Resources (Home Depot), pursuant to O.R.C. 301.27.

• 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 Dog Warden and the Department of Job and Family Services (additional employees). It was clarified that this is just for use by the Dog Warden, not to enable people to use credit cards to purchase a dog. Ms. Blair said the Dog Warden is working towards that but it has been a process.

• 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 2, 3 and 4) for the Dog Warden (Geauga Credit Union – Visa).

1:30:14 Min. Board Discussion – Destination Geauga – Ms. Blair said it was the 22nd Annual Spring Drive-it-Yourself Tour.  She said that Mrs. Shimer from Destination Geauga had reached out to her and wanted to let the Commissioners know that this is happening this weekend, and she had maps with lots of locations and information. Ms. Bevan said it would be posted on the website.

Mrs. Brakey said that she wanted to revisit the County’s position on HB 96 - Homestead exemption and owner occupied exemptions.  She said that the County would need to decide by June or July.  She said, “I think we should at least consider implementing the homestead exemption, which would apply to disabled veterans and low income seniors, essentially the most impoverished people in our county that don't have an option to earn more income and this would increase their credit on their property tax bill.”

Ms. Bevan said, “that’s good.”  Observer Note: This observer assumes that this will be a future topic of discussion. See this Geauga Maple Leaf article for information from the November, 2025 BOCC meeting when this was discussed.

Mr. Dvorak introduced Wendy Zelle, the new local engagement representative from First Energy for Geauga County.

1:33:30 Min. Public Comment 

Anastasia Nicholas from the Chagrin Valley Times asked about the $4,000 spent on candy in the last year. Mr. Spidalieri responded that he had said at the beginning of the meeting that he missed that expense the prior week.  He said that there were other times when candy was purchased for other events that seemed fine.  He concluded that for children’s events with Job and Family Services, if it is a reasonable request, he would support it. “But as far as for elected officials to be able to do that, I would say that... we're better than that.”  Mr. Dvorak also said, “especially with going through the budget hearings now, we'll bring that topic up.”

Mr. Tim Lennon, prior Geauga County Commissioner, said that the candy purchase is why he came to the meeting.  He hoped that the Commissioners would come up with a policy “if you are an elected official, especially in election season, you know, we shouldn't be using our tax dollars to promote yourself.”

Adam Litke, Lake/Geauga Health Commissioner, said, “we had our special needs fishing event last weekend or last week Friday. We had over 110 kids come out… this is one of the first times a lot of them have been fishing…. We had a couple of kids that mentioned to their teachers just this week that it was the best day of their life…. So, very well received, very well done. And, we had a lot of the Rotaries help out.” Mr. Dvorak talked about the event and how Geauga Park District had helped and what a great event it was.

A woman from Munson wanted clarity on the item regarding the Contract with Ohio Paving and Construction Company, Incorporated for the Safety Center Parking Lot Repave.  Mr. Dvorak said that Mr. Tkach is the detail guy from Maintenance and suggested she contact him. Mrs. Brakey explained “there was a change order that was a credit and then there was… another item that added a cost and together they netted out that $564 and then the new total is that $875,000.”  

Mr. Dvorak also mentioned that in the project above there were bids and some were a million and some over a million, so, “we try to do our due diligence.”

The woman from Munson also brought up the purchase of the library.  She said that Mrs. Brakey had pointed out that the appraised value was $1.8 million and the purchase price was $3.2 million. Mrs. Brakey responded, “We didn't find a better price. That's just what the appraisal came in as indicating that that was the market value, the $1.8 million…. But I mean, the other Commissioners felt that it was worth that price.”

Mr. Claypool approached the microphone and Mrs. Brakey pointed out that, as stated at the meeting the prior week, the comment policy says that a person may speak either at the beginning or at the end, but not both times. Observer Note:  See the LWVGeauga report from the April 28 meeting in which this was addressed. Mr. Claypool said this was a violation of the First Amendment’s freedom of expression.  He said that he had sent a legal analysis that morning and wanted it in the minutes if they were going to prevent him from speaking.

Mr. Spidalieri objected to the policy of not allowing people to speak at both times.  He said, “I just feel that we're just censoring people and… I'm not comfortable with it.”

Mrs. Brakey said, “Well, I don't disagree. I mean, we could revise the policy, but right now the policy is what it is and we need to enforce the policy…. I think there's an argument to say that people should have extra time, but right now that's not what it says.  And so our policy was approved by the Prosecutor's Office…. The first amendment issue is if you keep talking and we allow you to talk, that's the first amendment issue because that hurts the people that are getting cut off at three minutes.”

Mrs. Brakey continued, “ I'd also point out that Ralph (Mr. Spidalieri), when you were commissioner, you didn't always have public comment… certainly there's never been a time in the Commissioners that I'm aware of of any journal I've looked at where there's public comment at the beginning and the end. It was only at the end if it was allowed at all. So, this idea that we're taking it away, we're taking people's voice away, that's just not accurate with the history. And I mean, frankly, it's a lie.”

Mr. Claypool continued to speak, and Mr. Dvorak, after calling for order several times, made a motion to allow one more speaker.  Mrs. Brakey said that it still needs to be consistent with the policy that a person who speaks at the beginning can’t speak again at the end.

Ms. Blair clarified the motion, “one more speaker for additional three minutes and that you want to amend the number one and number two rule.”  Mrs. Brakey asked, “Are we amending it permanently or just temporarily for this meeting?”  Mr. Dvorak said, “Just today.”  The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Claypool then spoke and said that a letter was put in his mailbox that Mr. Antenucci had used his official title while campaigning.  Observer Note:  Mr. Antenucci is Chief Deputy Administrator at the Geauga County Auditor's office who oversees ADP and works under the Auditor, Chuck Walder, who ran for Auditor in the May 5 primary election.  Presumably, that is what the campaign was about, as Mr. Antenucci is not an elected official and was not running for office in the recent primary election.  Mr. Claypool said that this didn’t pass the smell test.  He asked that the Board of Commissioners reach out to the State Board of Ethics to have the actions surrounding the Auditor and the Maple Festival investigated.  Mrs. Brakey said that it appears to be an individual’s personal Facebook page and she said that, “I mean this appears to be an employee’s personal Facebook page and employees have First Amendment rights to say whatever they want on their personal Facebook page. I don't see any evidence that this employee used taxpayer resources to promote this message.”  Mr. Spidalieri said that it was a definite concern if these posts occurred during company time.  Mrs. Brakey said that he is an employee of ADP, so any concerns should go to the ADP Board. 

An individual attempted to speak, but was told that there had been five speakers.  He brought up NOACA.

Mr. Dvorak said that he did have an update on that.  He heard from Grace Gallucci yesterday. “She's working with ODOT to have somebody work with her on a presentation. She wants to use the Federated Church on Rt. 306 two or three weeks from now.”  The man objected that it wasn’t being held at the County building and he said, “there's going to be a tremendous turnout if she tries to hold it at the Federated Church.”

1:55:44 Min. Executive Session - The Commissioners approved going into Executive Session at 11:18 am for the purpose of discussing the compensation of public employees pursuant to OC121.22G1. They were joined by Sheriff Hildenbrand, Chief Deputy Sheriff Rowan, Ms. Bevan and Mr. Jimison.

2:16:57 Min. Return from Executive Session at 11:49 am with no action.

Additional Item: Ms. Blair said that the Commissioners need to sign an agreement from the Supreme Court of Ohio - Confidentiality Agreement for Mediation.  Observer Note:  The nature of the mediation was not disclosed.

Ms. Bevan said she had a follow up about using credit cards to purchase a dog through the Dog Warden.  She said that according to the Dog Warden, they had to stop taking checks because the checks weren’t good sometimes and people didn’t live in the county.  She said that they are close to getting the credit card purchase option at the dog shelter.  

Ms. Bevan was complimented on the Military Signing Day and also on her one year Anniversary with the County.  Mr. Dvorak said, “I think it's really neat that it happened. You started this on America 250.” Mrs. Brakey said, “Happy anniversary. Lots of good positive changes in the county.”

2:19:04 Min. Adjournment at 11:51 am.

Next Meeting:  The next meeting will be a Special Meeting on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 9:00 am and the next Regular meeting will be Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 9:30 am.  Both meetings will be held at the Geauga County Office Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH. 

Observer: Gail Roussey 

Editor: Sarah McGlone  

Reviewer: Carol Benton

Date Submitted: May 20, 2025

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