Budget Commission Discusses Changes in Meeting Schedule for 2027
Budget Commission Meeting – October 5, 2026
Meeting Details: The Geauga County Budget Commission met in Special Session on Monday, October 5, 2026 at 10:00 am in the Auditor's Appraisal Conference Room, 231 Main Street, Chardon, Ohio. The meeting was in person with a virtual attendance option via MS Teams, and the agenda was provided in advance. To attend Budget Commission meetings virtually via MS Teams, email an invitation request to Pam McMahan at PMcMahan@geauga.oh.gov.
Meeting Attendance: Treasurer Chris Hitchcock, ADP Chief Deputy Administrator Frank Antenucci (substituting for Auditor Walder) and Prosecutor Jim Flaiz. Mr. Walder was absent.
Staff Attendance: Deputy Auditor Jennifer Hess, Auditor’s Office Chief Operations Officer Pam McMahan, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kristen Rine (virtual).
Members of the Public: Virtually, attendees included Geauga County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board Member Kathy Johnson and this observer (virtual).
The meeting was called to order at 10:03 am.
Minutes: No Minutes were presented for approval. Budget Commission Minutes can be found here when posted.
2026/2027 School Amendments
Kenston Local School District 2026/2027-Amendment #2 Approved
Special revenue decreased;
New certificate total: $60,802,892.56
New Totals
General Fund $ 44,821,133.00
Special Revenue Fund $ 1,996,610.56
Debt Service Funds $ 3,384,249.00
Capital Projects Fund $ 1,458,400.00
Enterprise Funds $ 1,315,000.00
Internal Service Funds $ 7,810,000.00
Fiduciary Funds $ 17,500.00
Grand Total - All Funds $ 60,802,892.56
2026 Regular Business
Soil & Water – Appropriation Transfer in Account # 6009-059-00-501 - Approved
Account Name Appropriation Now Amount Transferred New Appropriation
Salaries $419,996.00 $11,000.00* $408,996.00
New total
* Detail below
Account name Appropriation Now Amount Transferred New Appropriation
Hospitalization $108,739.00 $10,000.00 $118,739.00
Other Expenses $2,500.00 $ 1,000.00 $ 3,500.00
Total $11,000.00
Budget Commission Tentative 2027 Meeting Calendar
Mr. Flaiz said that he thought it would be most beneficial for everyone to switch from regular Monday meetings to Wednesday meetings. Mr. Antenucci agreed, saying it would be better for staff.
Members agreed that it would be the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 10:00 am but that they would have to make sure the Board of Revision is on an alternate schedule as some members of the Budget Commission attend both meetings. It was also suggested that the Board of Revision meetings occur in the Appraisal Conference Room.
Planned dates for the School Board Budget hearings would remain as Feb. 17 and 18 @ 9:00 am. All dates discussed for next year are 2027. It was also suggested that Geauga Public Health should move to the regular budget schedule. These meetings would occur on August 16 and 18 @ 9:00 am. A follow up hearing date could be August 26; Mr. Antenucci suggested an additional date would be August 30 or 31. It was decided to have the additional date August 31st (Tuesday) if needed.
Motion by Mr. Flaiz -
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Regular 1st and 3rd Wednesdays in the Appraisal Conference Room @ 10:00 am
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School Board Budget hearings Feb. 17 and 18 @ 9:00 am
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Annual Budget Commission organizational meeting on August 2
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County County Budget hearings August 16 and 18 @ 9:00 am
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Budget follow up meeting will be held on August 26 @ 10:00 am; additionally, if needed, August 31@ 10:00 am
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The Year end meeting will be December 29 at 10:00 am
Ms. Rine said that by statute the Budget Commission has to meet on the first Monday in February and August. These will be incorporated into the schedule as well as any changes needed to accommodate holidays.
Public Comment
This observer asked two questions - one about Geauga Soil and Water (included above) and one to confirm an aspect of the schedule. Mr. Hitchcock clarified that the Budget Commission will take formal action on this proposed schedule at the next regular meeting of the Budget Commission.
Adjourned 10:18 am
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor: Marla Zwinggi
Reviewer: Carol Benton
Submitted: October 7, 2026
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