2027 Geauga County Budget is $156.7 Million
Board of County Commissioners Meeting - June 30, 2026
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met in Regular Session on Tuesday, June 30, 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 1,578 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 and James Dvorak. Commissioner Ralph Spidalieri was absent. Also present were Commissioners’ Clerk Christine Blair, County Administrator Amy Bevan and Finance Manager Adrian Gorton.
County Representatives: Deborah Ashburn, Senior Fiscal Specialist; Shane Hajjar, Deputy Engineer; Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand; Chief Deputy Tom Rowan; Charles Tkach, Project Coordinator, Maintenance Department; Gina Hofstetter, Director and Elaine Malkamaki, Program Director, Community and Economic and Development; Nick Gorris, Director, Water Resources; Max Yost, County Communications/Media Specialist (outgoing); Joseph David Rice, Part-time Communications /Media Specialist
Others in Attendance: Mark Sabri, representative of Design Architecture; Geauga Maple Leaf reporter Allison
Wilson, Chagrin Valley Times reporter Anastasia Nicholas; other members of the public and this LWVG Observer.
Observer Note: Items listed in the published Agenda were changed to ensure that the Budget Hearing took place at 10:00 am. What is reported below is the actual order, not what was listed in the Agenda.
1:45 Min Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer (Commissioner Dvorak)
2:30 Min Public Comment on Agenda Items - None
2:50 Min Administrator - Ms. Bevan gave the following report of an item that she had approved:
On June 29th, 2026, Ms. Bevan concurred with the Auburn Township Trustees in not requesting a hearing on the liquor license being requested by White Barn Brands LLC, The Mercantile located at 17720 Ravena Road, Chagrin Falls.
Minutes - Minutes for January 27, 2026 and February 3, 2026 were approved. Observer Note: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for the BOCC are available online through June 30, 2026 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through December 30, 2025.
3:54 Min Report of Financials - County Finance Manager Adrian Gorton received approval for the following:
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Appropriations transfer to the Sheriff for miscellaneous refunds, reimbursements, and web checks that were deposited into the general fund.
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Incumbrances - a contract incumbrance to increase the City of Chardon payment for the pre-trial release officer.
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Purchase Order for the Commissioners to 908 Devices Incorporated for the chemical detection system device. Observer Note: This was not further discussed or clarified.
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Vouchers
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$64,219 from the Clerk of Courts and Common Pleas Court to CourtView Justice Solutions for service and support of their courtroom management software. Mr. Gorton noted that this was $61,161 last year, saying “so (it’s) a few thousand more this year.”
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$3,196,092.50 from the Commissioners to Title Professionals Group for the senior center construction fund purchase of the Chardon Senior Center
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$261,339.41 from Maintenance Department to Ohio Paving and Construction Company for a partial pay request for the Safety Center parking lot project
5:11 Min The County Engineer’s Office received approval for the following:
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to execute Change Order #1 and Final, decreasing the Contract with Geauga Highway Company for the Asphalt Resurfacing of Messenger Road (CH-0031, Sections B-C) in Auburn Township in the amount of $8,998.10.
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to execute Change Order #1 and Final, decreasing the Contract with Ronyak Paving, Incorporated for the Asphalt Resurfacing of Mumford Road (CH-0024, Sections E-F) in Troy Township in the amount of $14,059.00.
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to execute the Unit Price Contract with Ronyak Paving, Incorporated for the Asphalt Resurfacing of Bass Lake Road (CH-0023, Sections D-E) in Munson and Newbury Townships in the amount of $667,650.00.
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to execute Resolution #26-105 Authorizing Carolyn Brakey, Board Member of the Geauga County Board of Commissioners and Chief Executive Officer for Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) Project #DGAD04 to electronically execute and submit the Project Grant / Loan Agreement, the Asphalt Resurfacing of Sections F-G of Bass Lake Road, in Munson Township and the City of Chardon.
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to execute Resolution #26-106 Authorizing Carolyn Brakey, Board Member of the Geauga County Board of Commissioners and Chief Executive Officer for Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) Project #DGAD14 to electronically execute and submit the Project Grant/Loan Agreement, the Replacement of the Bascom Road Bridge, in Hambden Township.
Mr. Dvorak asked what percentage OPWC would be paying on this project. Mr. Hajjar said it was 50%.
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to execute Resolution #26-107 Authorizing Carolyn Brakey, Board Member of the Geauga County Board of Commissioners and Chief Executive Officer for Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) Project #CG24AD/CG25AD to electronically execute and submit the Project Grant / Loan Agreement, the Replacement of the Bainbridge Road Bridge.
Mr. Hajjar said that this project has not yet been bid.
10:13 Min The Sheriff’s Office received approval to execute the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) Subgrant Award Agreement (Grant #2025-WF-VA5-46168) for the Stop Violence Against Women (VAWA) Grant Program in the amount of $43,611.17 ($32,708.72 from OCJS, and $10,902.91 County General Fund). This grant is for the period January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026
11:15 Min The Department of Community and Economic Development received approval to electronically execute and submit the Ohio Department of Development, Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program Grant, Amendment, Exhibit 1 and First Amendment to Grant Agreement between the State of Ohio, Department of Development and Geauga County, for the period July 1, 2025 through December 31, 2026 in the amount of $230,000.00.
Ms. Hofstetter said that there were two projects. Ms. Malkamaki said that the first project was the “old Buck Stop” at the intersection of 322 and 306, which Ms. Malkamaki said was falling down. She said it will take about two weeks to complete this demolition once agreements are signed. She said it was a little higher in cost because it was “filled with asbestos.” This project was allocated $136,000. Observer Note: See more information in this News5Cleveland.com article. She said this would result in a “commercial re-development.”
The second project was at the Geauga Metropolitan Housing Authority (GMHA) and was described as a “duplex
on Cloverdale” in Middlefield. Ms. Hofstetter said that the foundation is not attached to the back wall. She said that GMHA would be putting up a new duplex for low to moderate income residents. This project was allocated $36,000.
There was a discussion of comments made by the Prosecutor who reviewed the agreement in which it was stated that the agreement exposed the County to “some risk.” The Commissioners approved both projects. Mrs. Brakey said “I think these are both very worthwhile projects for the community and to the extent they wouldn't go forward without these grants, I think the risk is worth it.” Ms. Hofstetter said they had built in some protections for the County. Ms. Malkamaki said that the next step is the Reimbursement Agreement.
17:53 Min The Maintenance Department received approval for the following:
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to execute the Construction Agreement with Architectural Siding Trim and Roofing (A-STAR), Incorporated for the Geauga County Courthouse Annex Masonry Restoration and Roof Replacement in the amount of $257,047.56 ($235,845.56 Base Bid and $21,202.00 Owner’s Contingency). The Bid Bond submitted shall be held to serve as the Performance Bond for this project. Also approved was a Notice to Proceed for the project on or before July 20, 2026 and a Notice of Commencement of Public Improvement, pursuant to O.R.C. 1311.252 for the period July 1, 2025 through December 31, 2026 in the amount of $230,000.00.
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to reject the Bid submitted by Dugger Acquisitions, LLC for the Opera House Masonry Repair and Restoration Project, as the Bid Guarantee and Bid Form did not comply with the requirements of the Invitation to Bid, making it non-responsive.
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to award the Bid to Grunwell-Cashero Company for the Opera House Masonry Repair and Restoration Project in the amount of $129,894.00 ($118,394.00 Base Bid, $11,500.00 Owner’s Contingency), as they represented the lowest and best bid. Mr. Tkach said that there was only one subcontractor on this project.
22:47 Min The Department of Water Resources received approval to execute Contract Maintenance Form #1, increasing the service Contract with Cummins, Incorporated in the amount of $8,335.91 (Wastewater) for a new total not to exceed $18,335.91.
23:34 Min The Commissioners’ Office received approval and authorized County Administrator Amy Bevan to execute a Letter to the Property Owners on Autumn Ridge regarding the Conservation Easement. Ms. Bevan said that there had been “excessive trespassing” and this notice would be sent to all 29 property owners. She said that the letter directs property owners to contact the Sheriff in the event that trespassers are noticed.
24:40 Min The Commissioners voted to appoint Crist Miller to the Geauga County Library Board of Trustees for a four-year term, effective July 1, 2026. Observer Note: Mr. Miller was a member of the Geauga County Library Board and had asked to be reappointed. The Geauga County Library Board had previously recommended that he be reappointed. See the March 17, 2026 Geauga Public Library LWVG Observer Report for more information. Mr. Dvorak said that he had been on the Board to fill a 7-year term, but the State changed library terms to 4 years.
25:24 Min Board Discussion - Vacancies on the Geauga County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board (GC-MHRS). MHRS Director Christine Lakomiak had made recommendations regarding those who applied to be on the MHRS Board and the Commissioners accepted these recommendations and appointed the following individuals to four year terms:
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Kathy Johnson
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Melody Coniglio
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David Fabig
Mrs. Brakey noted that none of the applicants met the criteria for a person who is a consumer of addiction recovery services so they would keep that application open. Ms. Blair said that there is no meeting of the GC-MHRS Board in July so they had a little more time to appoint someone. Observer Note: Under new Ohio Revised Code rules and with the approval of the Commissioners, the GC-MHRS Board consists of nine members with six appointed by the Commissioners and three by the State of Ohio. See the GC-MHRS website for a listing of those currently serving. These 2 appointments and one reappointment (Kathy Johnson) bring the total members to 8. As noted above there is one vacancy for someone who receives addiction treatment.
17:13 Min the Commissioners’ Office received approval to execute Change Order #17 (decrease) and Change Order #1 (decrease) as a reconciliation with Infinity Construction Company, Incorporated for the Geauga County Courthouse Expansion Project, GMP Phase 1, Change Order #1 in the amount of (-$49,637.00) and GMP Phase 2, Change Order #17 in the amount of (-$16,449.00). Ms. Bevan said that there would be a request for a reduction in the retainage soon. She said that between now and November there would be minor payments and in December there would be a “11 month walk-through.”
Tax Budget Hearing - The Commissioners held a hearing on the 2027 Tax Budget at 10 am.
Finance Manager Adrian Gorton and Deborah Ashburn, Senior Fiscal Specialist, presented the 2027 Budget.
Mr. Gorton started off by thanking residents for their support of the County and to personnel in county departments, elected officials, Commissioners, the Auditor and his staff for help in putting together the Budget.
He said that the total budget was $156.7 Million, which is 6% less than the 2026 adopted budget. He said that was due to two things: the upgrade to the McFarland Wastewater Treatment Plant wrapping up and the fact that the Engineer’s Office cannot budget for Roads and Bridges because they have a levy on the ballot.
There was a projected increase in revenue of $1.9 Million in the General Fund
General Fund Total (after transfers of almost $6 Million) is $53.2M.
There were decreases from certain departments, especially Mental Health and Metzenbaum (Board of Developmental Disabilities). There were increases from other departments - Sheriff, Prosecutor, Building Department, and ADP (Automatic Data Processing).
Mr. Gorton said that all requests from the county departments are funded.
Mr. Gorton said, “So this is looking at the 2027 tax budget as far as the revenue side is concerned, and it does reflect an increase in revenue of $1.3 million. This could be considered a modest increase in revenue considering last year we received over $53.5 million. Most of the increase for 2027 was from a $1 million increase in the sales tax. This makes the budgeted sales tax for 2027 $22.75 million or $22,750,000. The actual amount received in 2025 was $23 million.”
Ms. Ashburn discussed various aspects of the sales tax. She said that sales tax is the largest source of revenue at about 46.31% ($22.8 Million), with the next largest being property taxes at 23.71% (or about $11 Million). Other revenue sources are interest income, other (mostly rent) and cost allocations from those entities, like JFS (Job and Family Services), which use the County office building.
Ms. Ashburn said that Geauga County has a sales tax rate of 6.75% and the total income from this is projected to be $153.6 Million in 2027. The State of Ohio’s share of this revenue is $138 Million, leaving $22.75 Million in Geauga. Ms. Ashburn said, “So county governments have the option to collect up to 2.5% beyond what the state's share is of 5.75%.” She said that the majority of Ohio counties are at 7.25% which is Lake County’s rate and Cuyahoga is at 8%.
Property Tax - Property tax income is split between numerous recipients. Looking at one dollar, it is split as follows: (see Presentation)
County 16.3￠
Schools 57.3￠including 2.3 for Joint Vocational Schools and 0.8 for schools that border county line
Townships 17.6￠
Cities 3.0￠
Library 3.0￠
Parks 2.8￠
The county share of property tax revenue is mostly used for designated levies, such as Children’s Services, Roads and Bridges, Developmental Disabilities, Mental Health, Senior Citizens and Geauga Public Health. The
General Fund receives 5 cents out of every dollar the County receives.
2027 General Fund Operating Expenses: $53.2M (As set forth in the presentation)
Increase from 2026: $1.9M (3.7%) (2026 Adopted Budget vs 2027 Tax Budget)
Key Assumptions in 2027 General Fund Tax Budget:
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No wage increases for 2027 for Commissioners hiring authority
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No increase budgeted for the County portion of hospitalization. Observer Note: The details of the medical coverage as to what is included were not discussed as part of the Budget presentation. The following were hospitalization increases over the last five years:
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2023 – 2.3% Increase County & 1.3% for the Employees
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2024 – 9% Increase County & 8.5% for the Employees
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2025 – 8.6% Increase County & 8% for the Employees
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2026 – 7.7% Increase County & 12% for the Employee
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2027 – 0% Increase
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All expense accounts for the 2027 Tax Budget were initialized with zero balances.
The majority of the General Fund expenses are for Personnel (74%). Mr. Gorton said “Some departments that experienced notable shares of the increase are as follows… about 33.5% of the increase was due to additional payroll in the Sheriff's Office, which equaled about $530,000. ADP personnel costs were up 8.7% from the 2026 adopted budget. That's about $137,000. Maintenance accounted for 24% of the rising cost due to increased staff and increased facility footprints. Their increase was about $387,000. Prosecutor's Office was 7% of the increase or $109,000. The courts actually submitted a decrease in their payroll funding of about 2.3% or $43,000 decrease.”
The following is from the Presentation:
General Fund Operating Expenses (Net of Transfers Out) $'s in Millions
Category 2026 2027
Public Safety $18.0 $18.7
Legislative & Executive $16.8 $18.1
Judicial $6.9 $7.0
Conservation / Recreation $0.6 $0.7
Human Services $0.7 $0.8
Health $0.1 $0.1
Miscellaneous $1.8 $1.9
Total $44.9 $47.1
Mr. Gorton said that there are also Funds and he gave a breakdown of the biggest of these Funds.
Fund Balances and Purposes (from the Presentation)
“$5.3M – Senior Center Construction Fund – Money from sale of previous Senior Center, funds transferred from the department, and from the State CED revolving loan fund money. We are about to spend $3.2M for Library Admin building leaving $2M for senior center renovations.
$1M – American Rescue Plan Fund – $1M for McFarland Wastewater Treatment Plant. Almost done. Spent by EOY (end of year).
$7.4M – Building Improvement Fund – $4.0M for Safety Center Roof, $500K Annex Roof, $600K Safety Center Parking Lot, about $2.6M in projects for 2027.
$3M – Capital Reserve Funds Phases 1 & 2 – Office building complete. Phase 1 money ($676K) for building adjustments, parking lot and equipment. Needs to be spent by 2029. Moved to bond debt retirement. Phase 2 Courthouse Expansion complete ($2.4M) with $600K left on Infinity contract. Will need to start saving up for renovation of the old Courthouse. Estimated at $7M+. Will set a goal of $2.5M a year for needed renovations. Money will need to be spent by 2031.”
Mr. Gorton wrapped up by talking about the County’s facility plan - the following is from the presentation:
“Fine Tuning the Facilities Strategy
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Continue to develop a comprehensive Master Facilities Plan and modernize buildings that the County will be keeping
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Deploy expanded preventative maintenance programs to stay ahead of major replacement projects
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Plan to divest unused or under-utilized County properties and consolidate departmental operations
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Avoid higher taxes and debt through strategic saving and financial planning for larger projects”
Mr. Gorton said that Geauga has the second highest available credit rating. He noted that taxes were not increased for the two major building projects.
Mrs. Brakey said that it appears that the County is deficit spending. Mr. Gorton said that when you take all funds together the revenue exceeds expenses.
Mrs. Brakey pointed to the $12 Million unencumbered balance projected for year end and wondered if that was too high. Mr Gorton said that the Budget Commission likes to see a carryover equal to one quarter to one third of the budget and their carryover is 25% of their budget. He said if they get to the end of the year and there is more left, they can set it aside for projects that are coming up. Mr Gorton said that there are some large projects on the horizon, such as work at the Safety Center and completing the unfinished portion of the old courthouse. He said that the wild card in the budget is sales tax revenue. He noted that there are more big box stores coming in that could boost sales tax revenue.
Mrs. Brakey also asked if it still might be possible to reduce a levy. Observer Note: This has been done in the past. The levy collection is suppressed, with money then going back to the property tax payers. Then the County makes up the difference through their funding of the department whose levy was reduced- typically the Children’s Services Levy.
Mr. Dvorak spoke to Mr Gorton and said, “I've been here for eight years and you're doing an excellent job with balancing and communicating with all the departments and just want to say thank you. Appreciate. You've done a great job all these years. Thank you.”
There were no questions from the public about the budget presentation.
The Tax Budget Hearing ended at 10:59 am
1:24:06 Min ThenDesign Architecture (TDA) Mark Sabri, a representative at Design Architecture said, “We had the privilege of partnering with Infinity Construction, Geauga County Commissioners, Sheriff's Department, the judges and the city of Chardon order to create a project that was very respectful for the history and the heritage of Chardon Square in the courthouse and its legacy.... We took some video of the ribbon cutting at the Geauga Courthouse and produced a video that we're going to put live today on social media." He then shared the video with the Commissioners. Observer Note: See the video to view this presentation.
1:28:02 Min. Public Comment
A man from South Russell Township discussed NOACA (Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency). He wanted to know when NOACA Executive Director Grace Gallucci would be coming to Geauga County. There was no comment from the Commissioners.
1:31:34 Min. Adjournment at approximately 11:07 am.
Next Meeting: The next Regular meeting will be Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at 9:30 am at the Geauga County Office Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH.
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor: Carol Benton
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: July 6, 2026
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