Board of County Commissioners - June 22, 2023
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met at 9:30 AM on June 22, 2023 at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH. BOCC meetings are in-person only and there are no recordings for the public. An agenda is available in advance via request to the Commissioners Clerk.
Public Comment Policy: Observer Comment: Commissioner Ralph Spidalieri announced at the end of the April 4, 2023 meeting that public comment would be permitted and that a more formal policy would be forthcoming. There was no formal policy introduced today.
Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a prayer was offered by Mr. Dvorak
Attendance: Present were Commissioners James Dvorak, Timothy Lennon and Ralph Spidalieri; Commissioners’ Clerk Christine Blair, and Finance Manager Adrian Gorton. County Administrator Gerard Morgan was absent.
County Representatives (having issues on the agenda):
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Jessica Boalt, Director, Department on Aging
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Christine Lakomiak, Director, Mental Health and Recovery Services
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Kathleen Miller Department of Water Resources
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Clair Wilson, Archivist/Records Manager/Supervisor
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Deborah Ashburn, Senior Fiscal Specialist,
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Representative from Common Pleas Court/Adult Probation not identified
Others in Attendance: Melanie Blaski, Director and Charles Tong, Chief Financial Officer of Lake Geauga Recovery Center; Carolyn Brakey, Geauga Public Health Board President; A member of the press from the Geauga Maple Leaf and Chagrin Valley Times and Tom and Diane Jones, as well as several other members of the public.
County Administrator Report: In the absence of Mr. Morgan, Christine Blair offered his report.
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Approval for use of the Geauga County parking lot for staff and volunteers for the Geauga Pride event.
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Approval of an unpaid medical leave in the Department on Aging.
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Approval for the 2023 Senior FarmMarket Program (see additional information below).
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Approval for Water Resources for hiring a part-time maintenance worker.
Financial Report: Mr. Adrian Gorton presented the Financial Report which was approved and included the following:
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Multiple supplemental de-appropriations from Transit due to the shutting down of the Transit Department and transferring to Lake County (Laketran)
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Transfer from the General Fund to the Sheriff’s Dept. for the local match for a Grant
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Approval to Court of Common Pleas for a Then and Now to Attorney Marc Stolarsky for appointed counsel fees (Observer Note: A Then and Now is for an expenditure that did not receive prior approval).
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Travel for the Engineer’s office, and Juvenile Court
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Vouchers:
$55,263.95 from the Engineer’s office to Gradeline Inc. for drainage improvements for the Washington Street project.
$90,072 from Juvenile Court for Swift IT Consulting - special project for cameras for security.
$55,422.60 from Water Resources to Cleveland Division of Water for water purchases.
Commissioners Office received approval for the following:
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To execute the Service Agreement with Maximus US Services, In. for services rendered in the development of the County’s Central Services Cost Allocation Plan for the period June 13, 2023 through February 28, 2024 in the amount of $13,000.00 with the option of two additional mutually agreed one-year extensions in the amount of $13,000.00 per year.
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To execute the Payment Processing Service Agreement with Catalis Payments, LLC, to provide Financial Transaction Devices (credit card payment) for County expenses owed to County Officials / Offices in accordance with O.R.C. 301.28 for a period of five years, effective June 22, 2023. Mr. Gorton reported that this is the 2nd of three credit card processing agencies approved.
The Common Pleas Court / Adult Probation received approval to execute the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Community Corrections Grant Agreement for FY2024/2025 Community Corrections Act 2.0 Grant (Exhibit A) – Community Based Corrections and Targeted Community Alternatives to Prison (T-CAP) Grant (Exhibit B) – Non-Residential Felony Programs, for the period July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025 in the amount of $518,503.00 ($234,480.00 - Community Based Corrections, $54,600.00 Pre-Sentence Investigation, $55,072.00 Pre-Trial Release, $124,808.00 for Standard Probation, and $284,023.00 T-CAP), pursuant to O.R.C. 5149.38 with no local match.
The Department on Aging received approval to execute the 2023 Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Distribution Agent Agreement between Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging and Geauga County Department on Aging to distribute 163 coupon sets (valued at $50.00 per coupon set) in the amount of $8,150.00 to Geauga County Seniors Age 60 and over that qualify to be used at local farm market stands through November 30, 2023.
Mr. Spidalieri asked for the income guidelines. Ms. Boalt did not immediately have the exact figures but said that the income had to be less than 185% of the federal poverty level. (Observer Note: the level for a family of 1 is $14,580 a year so 185% would be $26,973.) Ms. Boalt said that the Office on Aging sends letters to those who have registered their income level, are qualified and then are offered the coupons.
The Archives and Records Center received approval to execute Contract Maintenance Form #1 increasing the Contract Agreement with Shred-Rite, LLC, for additional shredding services in the amount of $2,000.00. There was a brief discussion about progress being made with shredding. It was noted by Ms. Wilson that a shredding had occurred for buildings on the Square and that this helped since that meant those materials never arrived at the new county building.
The Department of Water Resources received approval for several items as follows:
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To execute Contract Change Order #1, increasing the Contract with Workman Industrial Services, Incorporated for additional emergency rehabilitation and improvements as needed at various wastewater locations in the amount of $15,000.00 for a new not to exceed amount of $30,000.00. It was noted that this is an increase over the prior authorized amount of $15,000.
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To execute the service Contract Agreement with Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company to perform On-site Tire Repairs, as needed at various locations within the department for a one-year period, effective June 22, 2023, in an amount not to exceed $10,000.00. It was noted that this contract was for repairs, if and when they are needed.
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To accept the resignation of Director Steven Oluic to be effective July 8, 2023. This resignation was accepted with no discussion and no discussion of any plan to replace Dr. Oluic.
Lake Geauga Recovery Centers - President and CEO, Melanie Blasko and Charles Tong from Lake Geauga Recovery Centers provided an update on programming and also requested two funding amounts: $46,358 for continued operations (which was approved) and a one time request for $67,236 to open a new location in the southern part of the county (which was not approved).
There was a presentation directed to the Commissioners concerning the work being done by Lake/Geauga Recovery Centers, especially as it relates to the work done in the jails and after release from jail. The Commissioners had a copy of the presentation but it was not available to the public and therefore it is not possible to offer objective reporting of this presentation or what it contained. There were frequent questions by the Commissioners. A request has been made to Lake/Geauga for information regarding this presentation.
Ms. Blasko talked about several aspects of their work - in the jails, in aftercare programs after release and in residential treatment after release from jail. Ms. Blasko stated several times that the numbers (completing treatment) compared very favorably to other such treatment programs, especially when compared to federal rates.
After Care Utilization (after the jail program) appears to have 9 group members currently. 100% have completed their course of treatment this year. Ms. Blasko said that “...the numbers this fiscal year are impressive.”
Lake/Geauga does a follow up after 6-months and the statistics presented were also said to be very good.
Lake/Geauga does residential treatment follow up. They determine whether the individual has a good quality of life (e.g. if the person is working, has not been re-arrested, and is currently involved in 12 step meetings and/or counseling.)
Mr. Lennon said he has always been impressed with the completion rates of 96%, but noted the difference between the 93% completion rate in the jail with the average or 25% in After care. Ms. Blasko said that traditional outpatient treatment rates are lower and the rates presented include all parts of the population, not just those released from jail.
The second part of the presentation was the request for $67,236 , which included 9 months of office space, utilities ($32,400) and hiring another front office person ($34,836) for a new office in the southern part of the County. Reasons given for this one time request were:
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Would increase access to this more rural part of the county
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Ability to serve more individuals as they have run out of space in the Chardon location and cannot serve all individuals who need service
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Anticipation that they would receive funds as a result of increased patient fees that would cover future expenses for this new location.
Mr. Spidalieri was critical of this idea and put forward the idea that they should relocate to the center of the county if access was an issue. Ms. Blasko responded that they have a current lease in Chardon and that a large number of patients are from the 44024 area so moving would make transportation more challenging for the majority of patients. Mr. Lennon also wanted more information on this request. The Commissioners asked that Lake Geauga Recovery return with a business plan and also information about the idea of relocating to a central location. Mr. Lennon was in favor of using Opioid funds for any building or new location. He said the BOCC would research how much or if these funds would be available for this purpose.
Mr. Spidalieri said that they should talk with Community and Economic Development to find a site at a centralized location.
Approved the $46,358.
Did not vote on the additional request for $67,236.
Public Hearing on 2023 Tax Budget. The Commissioners’ Office held a Public Hearing at 10:15 a.m. (later than planned due to the questions regarding Lake/Geauga Recovery’s request to discuss the Geauga County 2024 Tax Budget). The 2024 Budget was presented by Deborah Ashburn, Senior Fiscal Specialist, and Mr. Gorton, Budget & Finance Manager. The other person listed on the Tax Budget is Mr. Morgan, but he was absent from the meeting.
Observer Note: While Mr. Gorton was setting up for the meeting, a woman not identified came forward to the Commissioner's desk to ask the Commissioners to come to a meet and greet with “central committee” which she said was being sponsored by Fortify Geauga. Christine Blair stated that if the woman wrote to her she would take care of it.
Highlights 2024 Budget Presentation:
Total 2024 Tax Budget - $139M - Mr. Gorton stated this was approximately $13 million or 9% more than the adopted budget for 2023. He explained that Increases were due in part to the Youth Center set aside ($6 million, Children’s Services Fund), $2 million for Metzenbaum for transfers out for Medicaid, over $4 million in the general fund and the rest scattered across in various departments).
Mr. Gorton stated that revenue has been increased to meet these increases or that the surplus will be used.
General Fund Budget - $43.6M (4.2 M increase)
General Fund Requests - $46M
Mr. Gorton indicated these expenses will be evaluated later.
Mr. Gorton stated that Increases in the budget for this year and going into 2024 were caused by a variety of reasons, including wage increases (5% across the board this year plus some merit increases and 3% next year), Sheriff’s Department bargaining unit increases, additional employees in ADP, maintenance costs of maintaining two campuses, Legal fees, increased costs of utilities and additional costs anticipated by Board of Election due to the 2024 Presidential election.
2024 General Fund Revenue: $41.1M
Sources of Revenue: Sales Tax (6.75%) makes up almost half of revenue; second is property tax at about a little less than 22%. Together those two make up 70% of the General Revenue; Smaller sources of revenue are department fees and fines, property transfer tax, interest income (up $1.5 million over last year), rent, some reimbursements, gas well revenue, casino tax, local government tax and prisoner housing (housing prisoners from out of county and receiving funds from the other county) and cost allocations for services for departments outside the County Commissioners direct reports (eg. Department on Aging, etc.).
Property Tax Utilization: For every $1.00 of property tax paid by a homeowner in Geauga County, on the average $0.17 is used to fund County programs. The remaining almost $0.83 cents funds the local school districts, including JVSD (Joint Vocational School District), the Townships, Municipalities, the public Library and the Parks (through voter approved levies.)
2024 General Fund Operating Expenses: $38.8M
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Decrease Net of Transfers: ($300K) 1% (2023 Amended Budget vs 2024 Tax Budget)
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Key Assumptions in 2024 General Fund Tax Budget
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3% wage increase for 2024 (5% for 2023)
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No increase budgeted for County portion of hospitalization
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2024 – No budgeted change in premiums
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All 2024 Tax Budgets were initialized at their 2023 Adopted Budget levels
General Fund Expenses Category 2023- 2024:
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Public Safety $14.5 - $15.0, accounting for 38.7% (Sheriff, Coroner, Building)
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Legislative & Executive $14.6 - $14.1, accounting for 36.2% (Auditor, Commissioners, Archives/Records, Prosecutor, Recorder, Treasurer, ADP Board, Maintenance, Planning, Board of Elections, Engineer/Tax Map)
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Judicial $6.4 - $6.2, accounting for 16.1% (Clerk of Courts, Common Pleas Court, Juvenile Court, Probate court, Muni Court, Jury Commission)
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Conservation / Recreation $0.5 - $0.6, accounting for 1.6%
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Human Services $0.7 - $0.7, accounting for 1.7%
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Health $0.1 - $0.1, accounting for.2%
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Miscellaneous $2.4 - $2.1, accounting for 5.4%
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Total $39.1 $38.8
It was noted that there were increases in personnel and costs in the Sheriff’s Dept. Sheriff Hildenbrand stated that there was only an increase in two officers in personnel. There were other increases due to union contract increases through collective bargaining.
Fund Balances
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$2.3M – Department on Aging – Levy funding. Has to be used for senior services. Aging will be transferring funds to help build a new Chardon Senior Center.
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$1.8M – Senior Center Construction Fund – Money from sale of current Senior Center. Will be used in conjunction with funds from the department to build new. Currently in the architectural phase. (Observer Note: this observer asked if there was a location and it was stated that there was not a location yet.)
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$17.7M – American Rescue Plan Fund – $10M will be used for the Courthouse project, $6M for McFarland Waste Water Treatment Plant, $560K for County Water System and $486K for sewer tie-ins. $650K currently unallocated may be used in a variety of other projects.
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$2.2M – County Facility Bond Retirement – Saving for future debt payments or potentially paying the debt down and refinancing at one of the call periods.
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$4.4M – Building Improvement Fund – Will be used to improve County buildings on Chardon Square. Currently in the architectural phase.
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$7.6M – Capital Reserve Funds Phases 1 & 2 – Phase 1 nearing completion. Money will be transitioned to Phase 2 which is currently in the architectural phase.
Future Planning
Goals and budget priorities stated:
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Evaluating the status of various properties as the county tries to consolidate more of its operations.
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Investing in County Buildings to ensure safe and convenient services for County Residents without shackling them with more debt.
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Minimize the growth of government in Geauga County and encourage the prosperity of our residents.
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Investing more time and energy in what the people of this County care about and less in what they do not.
Reviewer Comment: Other than the recent General County Plan Update completed by the Geauga Planning Commission in 2020, LWVG is unaware of any survey or alternate mechanism being used to determine what the people of Geauga County care about.
Public Comment:
There was a question about the Senior Center and it was stated that a location has not been chosen, but that it would be in the vicinity of the new County office building
Sheriff Hildenbrand clarified that they have only added two positions.
Mr. Dvorak questioned the casino revenue - Mr. Gorton stated that there didn’t seem to be much of a bump yet and it might take some time to get through the system.
This Observer asked about the designs for the other buildings on the Square. Mr. Gorton said this Phase 2 is part of the $15 million settlement with the city of Chardon. He said they are hoping to do that in conjunction with the American Rescue Plan funds. He stated that Then Design architects (the architects who designed the new county office building) are working on plans for the Courthouse renovation, Senior Center, and other buildings on the Square.
Diane Jones asked about the payment plan discussed at this meeting regarding financial transaction devices. She asked how this is different from programs offered in the past with credit cards, etc. Mr. Gorton answered that historically there have been 3 companies and the county is working towards those same 3 companies again. Various departments use one or the other.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned shortly after 11:47 a.m.
More Information and Posted Minutes: Available here
Next Meeting: Tuesday June 27, 2023 at 9:30 am
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor: Anne Ondrey
Reviewer: Shelly Lewis
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