Welcome to Auburn Township in Beautiful Geauga County Ohio

SPIDALIERI HAS CONCERNS OVER FINAL COURTHOUSE PLAQUE CONTENT

Thursday, July 31, 2025

The item for Geauga County Commissioners’ discussion at the Tuesday, July 29, 2025, public meeting was the upcoming Great Geauga Fair, Thursday, August 28- Monday, September 1, 2025. Nevertheless, the issue which seemed to raise the most emotions among Commissioners, and certainly the most passionate response from Commissioner Ralph Spidalieri, revolved around the final choice among three prototypes of plaques to be displayed in the Geauga Courthouse complex, once the Courthouse Expansion Project is finally complete. To date, three different designs for the plaque have been submitted as finalists. The time is now approaching to choose one of the three prototypes.

Although Mr. Spidalieri has been observed to be quite quiet during the last several public meetings, he suddenly seemed to spring to life with the responsibility of finalizing the plaque design. He first asked what the plaque would cost. Mrs. Brakey said she would research that topic for later discussion, but in the meantime she favored Option #2 on page 3. It seemed as though Commissioner Dvorak also favored Option # 2.

Mr. Spidalieri noted how much time and work former Commissioner Lennon had put into research on the Courthouse Expansion Project. Mrs. Brakey suggested that perhaps there was another way that former Commissioner Lennon’s devotion could be honored rather than being named on the plaque. Commissioner Dvorak noted for the record, “ A lot of different people put a lot of time in (to researching the Courthouse Expansion Project).

Mr. Spidalieri, apparently was not assuaged. He had more to say. This time he offered that Mr. Lennon’s name could/ should replace his own as one of the individuals responsible for the successful restoration and expansion of the historic Geauga Courthouse plot.

Since the final topic of the cost, the design, and the location of the final bronze plaque remains to be resolved, perhaps this writer, as a member of the tax paying community of Geauga County can offer another addition to this pristine plaque to be on display forever in the new Courthouse:

“In grateful memory to the Taxpayers of Geauga County, along with their Elected and Designated Commissioners, who all made this historic transformation possible.”

GEAUGA COMMISSIONERS TABLE APPROVAL TO PAY INFINITY CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. $950,590.72 FOR PARTIAL PAYMENT 22 FOR COURTHOUSE EXPANSION PROJECT AT JULY 29 MEETING.

Thursday, July 31, 2025

After announcing cancellation of the Tuesday, August 26, 2025, regular Geauga Commissioners’ Meeting because of Thursday, August 28, Commissioners’ program at the Junior Fair Stage on opening day of the Great Geauga Fair, County Administrator presented Agenda Item #20:

“The Commissioners’ Office is requesting the Board approve and authorize the President of the Board to execute the Request for Partial Payment #22 for Infinity Construction Company, Incorporated for the Geauga County Courthouse Expansion GMP Phase #1 and #2 expenses in the amount of $950,590.72.”

Commissioner Brakey noted her understanding that the price for the Courthouse Expansion so far is about $20,158,951.00 without any other additions or modifications, However, she noted that the cumulative cost for Change Orders undertaken on the Courthouse thus far are in the neighborhood of $473,000. Therefore, she wondered if any other Change Orders may be in the works. Ms. Bevan promised to check on total costs and any inspections being undertaken on behalf of the Commissioners and Geauga County taxpayers to keep the final price from reaching $21,000,000 or even more. Therefore, Partial Payment #22 is tabled at least until Ms. Bevan reports back to the Commissioners. The soonest date of action will be August 5, 2025.

By this writer’s calculations, if the numbers presented at the July 29 meeting are current and accurate, the total amount of funds currently sunk into the Courthouse Expansion Project are at least $20,631,951.00 ($20,158,951 + $473,000= $20,631,951).

LAKETRAN, PER JULY 2023 LEASE AGREEMENT, BY WHICH IT PROVIDES RIDES FOR GEAUGA TRANSIT CLIENTS, REQUESTS LETTER OF SUPPORT FROM GEAUGA COMMISSIONERS FOR GRANT REQUEST

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Ben Capelle, CEO of Lake County’s Laketran, the Lake County Transit Authority, in July 2023, just two years ago, took over operational control of Geauga County’s Transit System, after Director JoAnna Santilli informed the then commissioners of a financial shortfall and subsequent receipt of an interest-free loan of $275,000 to be paid back in quarterly payments. Then Laketran came along and by means of a legally-vetted contract was to assume total operation of Geauga Transit but according to Section 1(b) not be financially responsible for repayment of any loans made prior to the July 2023 agreement with 90 days to mutually terminate the agreement. In the meantime, Laketran has prided itself for years for its ability to attract state grant money.

Capelle accompanied JoAnna Santilli to present Agenda Items 9 and 10 at the July 29 Geauga Commissioner Meeting.

#9 read as follows:

“Laketran and Geauga Transit is [sic] requesting the Board approve and execute a Letter of Support for a Joint Application to the Ohio Workforce Mobility Partnership Program.”

In the short conversation, Laketran’s Capelle indicated that receipt of the $1.2 million grant request over a three-year period ($400,000 per year) would enable the hiring of extra drivers, presumably at least some of them to serve the populace served by Geauga Transit, as well as the ability of Geauga Transit buses to cross into Lake County.

With unanimous approval by Geauga Commissioners Dvorak, Brakey, and Spidalieri of Item #9, Geauga Transit’s Santilli immediately presented Agenda Item # 10, which read as follows:

“Laketran and Geauga Transit is [sic] requesting the Board approve in accordance with the Lease Agreement [July, 2023], Maintenance Improvement to the driveway [on Merritt Road] that includes replacing the existing asphalt in the back lot and resurfacing the existing asphalt in the access drives and parking lot.”

In response to Commissioner Brakey’s question of “Who’s paying for it [the asphalt replacement and the resurfacing]?”, Santilli noted, “the Ohio grant.” Again, as with item #9, Commissioners approved the request unanimously.

RIC BLAMER, PAID GEAUGA COUNTY AIRPORT (MIDDLEFIELD) MANAGER, REPORTS ON GRANTS, PROFIT AND LOSS STATEMENTS, HANGAR OCCUPANCY

Wednesday, July 25, 2025

Readers of this newsletter will recall that the Geauga Airport under the paid management of Ric Blamer last drew the attention of the Geauga County Board of Commissioners in April 2025, when the issues of the financial solvency of hangar rentals, in addition to the question of receiving funding from the said Commissioners probably upset more than one Geauga County elected official’s digestive system during the height of 2025’s Easter weekend. Back to report on Second Quarter financial events, Mr. Blamer presented Agenda Items #4, #5, and #6 regarding those earlier topics in thoughtful and measured tones without the intervention of several other members of the current Airport Board of Trustees.

Agenda Item # 4 read as follows:

“The Airport Authority is requesting the Board [Geauga County Board of Commissioners} release the Bid/Performance Bond for Hoar Construction Company for the Hangar 1 Improvement project, as all specifications have been satisfied.”

Commissioners approved this item unanimously.

Agenda Item #5 read as follows:

“The Airport Authority is requesting the Board approve Reimbursement Request #2 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 $488,831.91 (FAA share $439,948.72, ODOT share $24,441.60 and local County match share $24,441.59).”

Commissioners approved this item unanimously, but a small fly in the ointment, mostly involving timing of receipt of information seemed to muddy the waters. For example, although Blamer identified September 19, 2025, as the close of construction, the official termination of the construction is sometime in October to provide for a “cure period,” according to Blamer.

Then Spidalieri asked about the status of other funding for the Airport. Blamer acknowledged receipt of critical information about the middle of July, but Commissioners did not receive their information from Blamer until Thursday, July 24, about the same time that Commissioner Clerk received email copy from Blamer and forwarded it on to Amy Blevin, who in return found her information on Monday, July 28.

The largest problem is apparently that there is an August 4 Board of Trustees meeting for the Airport Authority, at which time Blamer had hoped to have prosecutor-approved paperwork for the Airport Authority to rubber stamp, but the reality is that with the short amount of time since Blamer’s forwarding of the paperwork in question, there simply has not been enough time for proper reading, analysis, and possible editing of that paperwork. Thus, we can expect the appearance of Ric Blamer at the Tuesday, August 5, 2025, Commissioner meeting for further discussion and possible approval.

Agenda Item #6 read as follows:

“Airport Manager Ric Blamer will provide an update and go over the Second Quarter (2025) report.”

Mr. Blamer quickly announced the Airport Authority’s Pancake Breakfast, which he reported to be a financial success. In terms of the financial success of hangar rentals for the Second Quarter, Blamer identified a wait-list of 37 individuals. He went over the details of what he identified as the Profit and Loss report for the same time period. He notified that the revenue without the benefit of any grants was $110,392.28. Expenses were noted as $92,768.04. while he identified “excess revenue as $9,614.21.” This writer was surprised by that last figure, as she expected “excess revenues” to be the difference between the $110,392.28 and $92,768.04, for a remainder of those two integers as $18,614.21, not the reported $9,614.21.

We will continue to follow the details of this Airport Authority story as they become available and clearer after the August 5, 2025, Geauga Commissioner Meeting at 9:30 am.

GEAUGA MAINTENANCE DIRECTOR DISCUSSES AUTOMATIC TRANSFER SWITCH CONTRACT AT $10,000.00 + AND GENERATOR UPGRADE FOR GEAUGA SENIOR CENTER AND MSI WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT AT $191,000

Friday, July 25, 2025

Geauga County Maintenance Director, Glen Vernick, presented Agenda Items 12 and 13 dealing with an automatic transfer switch for a an emergency services generator upgrade and then a generator that will apparently provide multiple services down the road. Combined costs appear to exceed $200,000 ($10,000.00+ $191,000.00).

Director Vernick talked about catching #12’s Change Order with North Bay Construction “in time” in order to be able to effect a generator upgrade. He related the past personal experiences of “being burned” with automatic transfer switches that were supposed to work with ancient generators, but in the final analysis did not have that ability. He expressed his belief that the county was out of trouble with this solution. He went on to explain about the $191,000 generator (200 amp) that will be advertised for bid on the county website in an effort to find a contractor who can install a special generator that will be able to service both the West Geauga Senior Center under the Department of Aging and the MSI Waste water Treatment Plant so as to justify the extra upfront investment cost.

GEAUGA COMMISSIONERS UTILIZE EXECUTIVE SESSION TO AUTHORIZE CREATION OF NEW POSITION OF “COMMUNICATIONS INTERN” AS CONSERVATIVE PROBLEM SOLUTION

Friday, July 25, 2025

At the July 23 Geauga County Commissioner Meeting, Commissioners moved into Executive Session (Agenda Item #20) at 10:15 am “for the purpose of discussing the employment and compensation of public employees, pursuant to O.R.C. 121.22(G)(1).” Involved were Commissioners Dvorak, Brakey, and Spidalieri and County Administrator, Amy Bevan.

This was an atypical executive session, lasting only 15 minutes, coming back into Commissioner quarters to approve the creation of a position known as #1332, “Communications Intern, and the location of #1332 on the County Organizational Chart, effective July 22, 2025. County Administrator Bevan made the announcement, along with the further information that the County would continue to advertise for an individual to pursue a “conservative approach” for the Commissioners to provide Press Releases, monitor social media, engage in Port Authority directives, etc. If a salary range was to be offered, that information was not publicly released by Ms. Bevan.

It would appear that the Board of County Commissioners values the positive power of well-planned and timely press releases. We will try to keep you informed as more information breaks on the choice of an appropriate individual to fill #1332.

GEAUGA COMMISSIONERS CONTINUE THE ISSUE OF THE FIRST ENERGY MIDDLEFIELD LINE SHOP INITIATED MAY 6, 2025

July 25, 2025

Back on May 7, 2025, these independent writers brought coverage on the breaking story of the First Energy Line Shop that had served the Middlefield area with its five workers whenever there was a need to repair/replace spare parts to maintain energy/illumination. At the May 6 meeting attended by First Energy’s Public Relations Manager, Dave Conley, testimony was provided by Commissioner Spidalieri, Commissioner Brakey, Middlefield Mayor Ben Garlich, and Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand to reinforce the continued importance of having timely skilled service from First Energy in the event of a power failure or electrical crisis in Middlefield.

When Manager Conley finished his testimony with the impression that consolidation of the line shop was moving to Concord in Lake County, he responded to Commissioner Brakey’s question about what might be the logical next step from the Geauga Commissioners to preserve First Energy service in Geauga County. Conley’s response was to file a complaint with the Public Utility Commission of Ohio. At the May 6 Meeting the Geauga Commissioners voted 3-0 to file such a complaint protesting the suffering that would befall Geauga County without the Middlefield Line Shop.

By May 13, 2025, Carolyn Brakey, herself an attorney, had composed such a letter on behalf of all three Commissioners, addressed to the PUCO in Columbus, protesting the closure of First Energy’s Middlefield Service Office on the basis of unjustified profit motives utilized by First Energy as Cases 24-0468 EL-AIR, 24-2469-EL-ATA , 24-0470-EL-AAM, and 24-0471-EL-UNC.

Although there were extensive hearings conducted later that in May to gather testimonies on utility company procedures that might have drawn more conclusions about the ethical conclusions of First Energy moves to consolidate, little else has come to light in the eight weeks following Dave Conley’s appearance.

At the July 23, 2025, Geauga County Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Brakey reported that the Middlefield Line Office has been vacant since early July, apparently with the line shop moved to Concord, Lake County, Ohio.

It is our feeling that this story about the actions of First Energy for the last several years are still the subject to the judgment of history and may yet provide the details of a breaking story.

GEAUGA COMMISSIONERS VOTE UNANIMOUSLY TO RETAIN SEDGWICK TO ADMINISTER BUREAU OF WORKERS COMP CLAIMS FOR $11,500

Thursday, July 24, 2025

Sedgwick TPA (Third Party Administrator) has identified itself online as “the world’s leading claims administration partner,” with offices in cities across the globe. Sedgwick became the subject of the June 24, 2025,agenda. Item 13 that day was ”[P]resentation by Mara McClain, Account Executive, Sedgwick TPA, on Group Retrospective Rating Premium and Rebate History.” Long-time Geauga County representative for Workers’ Compensation, Cathy Hofsteter, introduced Ms. McClain for her report to the Commissioners. The contract for Sedgwick was about to expire and needed Commissioner approval to be continued. Ms. McClain punctuated her comments with a personal note: You folks have done a fabulous job! Your EMR (aka Experience Modifier Ratio) is .65, having dropped below 1.00.”

So, what was that pat on the back supposed to mean for Sedgwick’s clients, the Geauga County Commissioners? It meant that Geauga County, included within a 59 member pool of County Commissioners, had kept their liability and Workers’ Compensation Claims down to 0 for the period of the Sedgwick contract.

Newest Commissioner, Carolyn Brakey, Esquire, had questions about the possible benefits derived for Geauga County. She wondered whether Geauga County’s move toward self-insuring instead of paying a premium, in this case $11,500.00 for the Sedgwick’s third-party administration of insurance claims might not be a reasonable solution and questioned whether the county employees’ “fabulous job” of keeping claims at 0 was an unearned benefit for the other 58 members of the pooled group.

In order to allow time to answer the question before signing the contract, Agenda Item #13 was tabled till July, In the meantime, two Commissioner meetings were canceled. The July 15 meeting was canceled because Commissioners were unable to reach a quorum. The July 22 meeting was canceled so that Commissioners could attend a funeral for long-time Geauga and Lake County firefighter, Mike Warner. That left July 23 as the date to hold the updated Commissioner meeting, at which time Assistant County Administrator, Linda Burhenne, had already taken her vacation hours and apparently been able to update her retirement plans, leaving full responsibility to new County Administrator, Amy Bevan.

Ms. Bevan, by the way, gifted with a firm voice and great ability to read smoothly, carried off her new responsibilities quite admirably at the July 23 meeting, and we send our Kudos to her!

Thus, Cathy Hofsteter, returned on July 23 to represent the tabled Sedgwick issue, identified as Item# 18. This time Ms. McClain was not present, as were not many meeting attendees, because of the quick need on Tuesday, July 22, to reschedule the second canceled Commissioner meeting.

Agenda Item 18, a long item, read as follows: “[T]o execute the Geauga County/ County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAO) Workers’ Compensation Group Retrospective Rating Plan Agreement with the CCAO Service Corporation for the period January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026 in an amount not to exceed $11,500.00 and further execute the Ohio Bureau of Workers; Compensation, Employer Statement for GroupRetrospective-rating Program enrollment form.”

Cathy Hofsteter opined that when the group insurance program had been initiated 16 years ago, Geauga County had been only one of ten members of the CCAO pool, which has subsequently grown to 59 members, including Geauga County. She appeared to express some passion when she affirmed her attested personal view that using a third-party-administrator, in this case Sedgwick, was the better alternative at $11,500 than attempting self-insurance procedures for the county.

Commissioner Dvorak, as a long-time participant in the consortium advised by Sedgwick, indicated his personal satisfaction with the benefits provided by the third party administrator. Nevertheless, he advised keeping an open mind and looking out for the best interests of both insured members and tax payers.

Commissioners Dvorak, Brakey, and Spidalieri voted unanimously to retain Sedgwick for the 2026 year for $11,500.00.

PRESS RELEASE

Committee to Abolish Ohio Property Taxes
July 21, 2025
Contact: Brian Massie
Phone: (440) 479-7061
Email: Stoppropertytaxes@gmail.com

For immediate release:

The Committee to Abolish Ohio Property Taxes Provides a Response to State Legislators Contemplating Overriding Governor DeWine’s Veto of Token Property Taxes Changes in the Budget Bill.

Cleveland, Ohio – The Committee to Abolish Ohio Property Taxes will not be influenced by the outcome of the vote by the State legislature on Governor Mike DeWine’s veto of the property tax changes since they were never real reform in the first place. The proposed changes are designed to pacify angry homeowners while preserving the overly complex, broken, immoral tax system. The legislators are doing nothing to address the core injustice of taxing people out of their homes while funding an ever-growing bureaucracy.

“Once again, the people of Ohio take a back seat to big government, and the donor class,” said Brian Massie, spokesperson for the Committee. They have chosen to protect government coffers over family budgets.

Governor DeWine justified his veto by expressing concern for school funding, yet the Committee argues that the whole system must change to avoid bankrupting property owners and pricing families out of their homes.

“Property ownership is the foundation of freedom and liberty,” Massie added. “But when taxes increase without your consent and without regard to your ability to pay, that foundation starts to crack.”

“With this vote, the legislature sent a message loud and clear: their loyalty lies with tax-hungry bureaucracies and their donor base, not with the people who elected them,” said Massie. “We are not going away – the fight to abolish unfair property taxes is just beginning.”

The Committee to Abolish Ohio Property Taxes is calling on citizens across the State to join the movement to completely abolish the complex property tax system in the State. Please sign the petition and become a circulator to help us collect signatures. Go to AxOhTax.com or ReformPropertyTax.com for more information.

ANY TAX CAUSING A CITIZEN TO BECOME HOMELESS IS IMMORAL!

AG DAVE YOST: OHIO VOTERS MAY SOON ABOLISH PROPERTY TAXES IF LEADERS DON’T ACT

Wednesday July 9, 2025
Victoria Dugger | WTOL11, Toledo, Ohio

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is calling on county leaders to take control of the growing property tax crisis before voters take matters into their own hands and eliminate the system entirely.

“Ohioans are as angry as I’ve ever seen them - and rightly so,” Yost said Wednesday, addressing the Ohio Council of County Officials. “These inflationary tax increases are hurting everyone and, in some cases, are forcing people out of the homes they worked their entire lives for.”

Yost pointed to a nearly 19% increase in property taxes statewide from 2020 to 2024 - totaling an additional $3.8 billion - with homeowners and farmers shouldering most of that burden. He warned that a resident-led constitutional amendment to abolish property taxes altogether is gaining steam and could easily pass if lawmakers and local governments don’t act swiftly.

Lucas County is already living the crisis

Yost’s speech mirrors what Lucas County property owners have experienced firsthand.

In 2024, a countywide revaluation caused home values to initially spike an average of close to 32%, leading to sharp increases in tax bills. Outraged homeowners flooded the Board of Revision with more than 7,100 appeals. So far, about 2,444 property owners have won reductions, with nearly $850,000 in refunds or billing adjustments issued, according to county records.

An audit of the Lucas County Auditor’s Office revealed delays, software problems and internal control issues that contributed to confusion and inconsistencies in the revaluation process. Auditor Katie Moline has pledged changes ahead of the next revaluation in 2030.

Meanwhile, the Ohio State Auditor’s Office has launched an investigation into possible past mismanagement by former county auditor Anita Lopez, now a Lucas County commissioner.

Lead now, or the people will blow up the system’

Yost emphasized that schools, local governments, and counties depend on property taxes for funding and warned that failing to lead on reform now could devastate public services.

“Reform will be painful,” Yost said, “but not nearly as painful as trying to replace $20 billion in revenue that supports schools and local government.”

Yost called for a coalition of county officials - including auditors, treasurers and commissioners - to propose legislative fixes, such as valuation caps or new relief mechanisms for residents. He argued that county governments are best positioned to lead reform, given their direct role in setting and collecting taxes.

A statewide movement with Toledo ties

Yost’s remarks follow months of growing support for a constitutional amendment that would eliminate property taxes in Ohio. The group Citizens for Tax Reform is gathering signatures now for a possible 2026 vote, after just missing the July 2 deadline for signature gathering for the November 2025 ballot.

That movement has gained traction in communities like Lucas County, where public frustration over steep revaluations, outdated assessment practices and poor communication from officials has been widely reported.

In a March investigation by 11 Investigates, homeowners described their tax hikes as unaffordable and unfair - and local officials pointed fingers at both state policy and past administrative failures.

What’s next

Yost’s statement may add pressure on Lucas County officials to engage in statewide reform efforts. It also raises the stakes for state lawmakers who have taken steps toward property tax relief.

If the ballot initiative qualifies and passes, Ohio would become the first state in the nation to abolish property taxes, forcing a complete restructuring of how local services are funded.

GEAUGA COUNTY 2026 TAX BUDGET PASSES UNANIMOUSLY ON JULY 8, 2025, WITH MINIMAL CONCERNS

Thursday, July 10, 2025

Agenda Item #4, Resolution #25-141, “Adopting the 2026 Annual Tax Budget,” passed unanimously after Commissioner Brakey, asked Budget and Finance Manager, Adrian Gorton, about the time line for initiating financial decisions regarding employees in light of Governor DeWine’s use of his line-item veto 67 times in approving the 2026 Ohio Tax Budget.

Mr. Gorton indicated that any discussions regarding county employees are appropriate between this time period and December 31, 2025.

With that short discussion an oral vote resulted in a 3-0 vote to approve the 2026 County Budget, which was discussed at length on Thursday, July 3. 2025.

Commissioner Dvorak, in a comment made during Agenda Item #21, Public Discussion, noted that as a result of receiving over $500,000 from the Opioid Settlement from litigation over the last several years, Geauga County will be able to aid departments and agencies dealing with monetary shortfalls. Adrian Gorton confirmed that a deposit to that account on Monday, July 7, assets in that account now surpass $500,000.

There will be a presentation regarding the possible usage of the deposits gained from the Opioid Settlement fund on Tuesday, July 22, during public session of the Commissioner Meeting.

GEAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS SCHEDULED TO VACATE CURRENT LOCATION AT CENTER STREET FOR NEW PERMANENT LOCATION IN COUNTY OFFICE BUILDING

Wednesday, July 9. 2025

Kash Moving and Storage will execute the Contract Agreement to relocate the Geauga County Board of Elections from its current presence within the Center Street block within a six month period (July 8, 2025-January 7, 2026) at a cost not to exceed $39,040.00. Once the 470 Center Street Complex is devoid of its former County Department presence, those buildings can be sold or leased to provide an alternate revenue source to amplify the Geauga County Budget.

GEAUGA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISCUSSES DISSOLUTION OF COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION (CIC)

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Gina Hofstetter, Director of Geauga’s CIC, came forward with Assistant County Administrator, Linda Burhenne, during Board Discussion time (Agenda Item #21) to provide background on the development of the CIC in the 1960s and to figure out why the County would prefer to keep the CIC active or decide to dissolve its operation as no longer pertinent or relative to fostering or maintaining effective governmental procedures.

Ms. Burhenne noted that the Community Improvement Corporation operated like a social club that required membership in order to achieve the sale of property by avoiding legal government pathways. Eventually, Ms. Burhenne explained, it became impossible to keep CIC on-task, but even the hiring of attorneys did not result in fruition of the original operational tasks so that “arms-length” sales were avoided.

Director Hofstetter described the operation of CIC as “reinventing the wheel” so as to incur expensive legal bills that may show up during the audit of the department for for years 2023 and 2024. As a result of past inefficient bureaucracy, the Department of Community and Economic Development incurred excessive legal bills over actions and/or procedures which could not be streamlined . Effectively, the only utilizations under CIC occurred in 2012 and in 2019. Originally involved in Lake County with the development of a Land Bank and with the development of bonds, CIC apparently resulted in substantial legal bills still needing resolution.

When Commissioner Brakey asked if affiliation with the CIC might bring a higher price for a property offered for sale, Linda Burhenne responded, “I have no idea,” claiming unfamiliarity with the real estate market. Gina Hostetter cited one of the original purposes of CIC as “to sell county-owned property for economic improvement.”

Action leading to the Commissioners’ possible action for dissolution of CIC is tabled for the July 15 Commissioners’ meeting.

ANALYSIS OF GEAUGA COUNTY 2026 TAX BUDGET; ACCEPTANCE VOTE TO BE TAKEN JULY 8

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

The 10:00 a.m. public hearing of the county 2026 tax budget came with the acknowledgment of Budget and Finance Manager, Adrian Gorton, that for the first time all three monitors were operational during his presentation. With his usual thoroughness and precision, he also took time to credit his two associates, Amy Bevan, County Administrator; and Deborah Ashburn, Senior Fiscal Specialist. Nevertheless, it was the ADP video technician whose fine-tuning and understanding made the presentation come off without any hitches or delays. That kind of quiet coordination was only the beginning of the kudos.

The first piece of information, the knowledge that the total 2026 tax budget had reached $168.7 million, initially might be enough of a shock to take one’s breath away. When was the last time that this writer could visualize $168,700,000.00. anyway? Of that total, the General Fund Budget, along with requests from departments for 2026, totaled a neat $50,600,000.00. (Link, p2)

As in past years the largest source of General Fund revenue for 2026 will be the 6.75% Sales Tax that consumers pay on general merchandise. The 6.75% sales tax is expected to generate $21,800,000.00 , or 45.53% of all General Fund revenue with the twice-per-year payment of county real estate taxes to bring in $11,500,000.00 (24.15%) of the General Fund revenue. Together these two sources will bring in a whopping $43,300,000.00, or 69.68% of the funds. By comparison, the highly-touted Casino Tax of yesteryear will generate just $1,500,000.00 (3.14% of the funds), on about equal par with revenue from Prisoner Housing generated by the County Jail. (Link, p4)

As long as payment of Geauga County real estate (property) tax is a significant homeowner contribution to the annual budget, it is important to note that the operation of Geauga County and Geauga Township government function each costs approximately $0.17 of each taxpayer $1.00, but the cost to operate public school districts in Geauga County entails more than 3 times that taxpayer expense. (Link, p7)

It is interesting to note that during Calendar Years 2022 through 2025, the generated revenue increased dramatically, but the 2025 Budget reflecting amended Unencumbered Carryover Balance demonstrated the huge availability of cash/resources with no intention. It seemed as though the 2025 recorded notation of $69,300,000 seemed to reflect a high point in cash availability (Link, p10). It would appear, from the documentation on page 11 of the budget that 2026 Operating Expenses will constitute a 7.2% increase. It would also appear that there is a decided effort to counteract spending increases, particularly in the realm of inflationary wage hikes and spiraling hospitalization costs incurred by the county during 2024 and 2025.

Clearly, the biggest operational expenses continue to arise in the Public Safety (Sheriff) in 2026, with about a 9.7% increase over the 2025 BUDGET. Operating expenses for Legislative Executive will increase by about 9.15% over the department’s 2025 net transfers out. 2026 operating expenses for Judicial will apparently increase from $6.6 Million in 2025 to $6.9 Million in 2026, reflecting just a small increase in operating expenses. On a positive note, operating expenses in 2026 in the areas of

Conservation/Recreation, Human Services, Health, and Miscellaneous appear to be kept at their 2025 level of $3.7/$3.8 Million. (Link, p14).

In terms of funds set aside to cover future construction and improvement, it is important to consider four standing funds. Currently identified are the Senior Center Construction Fund, composed of $2.6 Million in cash assets from the earlier sale of a former Senior Center plus cash assets transferred from the Department on Aging. A second fund, dating from the American Rescue Plan is comprised of $6.2 Million: $5 Million for McFarland Waste Water plus $1 Million for Aquilla Waste Water plus $200,000 to be granted to the Department on Aging (Added together, these 3 sets of assets total $6,200,000.00 in the American Rescue Plan Fund). The third cash fund currently is comprised of $3.2 Million, which has been set aside to pay for $4 Million worth of projects to be completed during 2026 to improve existing county buildings. It would seem that this is the fund that may require closest monitoring in an effort to control any inflationary expenses not anticipated during initial budget planning. Finally, the Capital Reserve Funds, which have funded the Geauga County Office Building on Ravenwood Drive and which originally held $13 Million, have been depleted to $800,000 in liquid funds as a result of ongoing payments for Courthouse renovation/expansion. (Link, p15)

It would appear from ongoing discussions at each Commissioner Meeting that there are a plethora of unanticipated expenses resulting from the need for renovations which were never caught by current building enterprises and which conceivably could create a deficit in available funds from lack of precise advance planning. As a result, Long-term Planning Strategy will continue to be a critical area of constant surveillance so the county does not find itself short of necessary funding. As noted on page 16 of the 2026 Geauga County Tax Budget the Master Plan “to divest. . .under-utilized County properties and consolidate departmental operations under one footprint” remains a plan that must be critically and narrowly followed with great purpose and intention to prevent the growth of indebtedness on the part of Geauga County and to demonstrate the county’s demonstration of responsibility to its taxpayer base, without which this county might lose its ability to function.

Finally, it becomes apparent that after years of assumptions that the taxpayer base in Geauga County will remain solvent and sustainable with guaranteed sources of income growth, the reality is that Geauga County continues to have the responsibility to “[e]xplore alternative revenue streams,” particularly in light of current unresolved litigation filed against this county and dependent on future judicial resolution whose costs are not yet open to final speculation. (Link, p16)

In other words, in the midst of multiple possible drains on sources of county revenue, it is absolutely critical that the powers that be in Geauga County keep their noses to the grindstone to keep Geauga County assets working on behalf of its diminishing taxpayer base. It also means that the elected decision makers in the county must demonstrate their willingness to be prepared and to provide documentation for their decisions to the electorate.

ROGER PETERSON, GEAUGA’S DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES, RESIGNS AFTER TEN YEARS OF KUDOS AND BEST WISHES FOR NEW SUCCESSES

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Roger Peterson, Geauga County’s well-regarded Director of Emergency Services for the last ten years, announced to the Geauga County Commissioners that he has reached the time in his life and career when he can follow the advice of a personal mentor who told him, “Do good and then walk away.” Mr. Peterson clarified that his resignation, effective August 1, 2025, will afford him a teaching position in regard to the position of fire chief, officially to be known as Works and Management Director.

Commissioner Carolyn Brakey announced her regrets at having to accept Mr. Peterson’s resignation but wished him all the best in his “moving on.” Commissioner Jim Dvorak, likewise, praised Mr. Peterson for his service to the Geauga County Community: “You’ve done a great job for ten years.”

Commissioners Dvorak, Brakey, and Spidalieri voted unanimously to accept Roger Peterson’s resignation in Agenda Item 15. In Agenda Item #16, the Board of Commissioners consequently voted unanimously “to advertise for the position of Director, Department of Emergency Services” until they find a proper replacement for Mr. Peterson.

Best wishes, Roger Peterson, for the future. Thank you, sincerely, for the valuable service you have performed for Geauga County.

GEAUGA SHERIFF CATCHES GRANT IDENTIFICATION ERROR IN $25.5K OHIO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AWARD

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand, accompanied by Chief Deputy Tom Rowan, presented items 9 and 10 regarding two grants from the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Office of Criminal Justice Services. Hildebrand was very quick to note that the identification number for the $25,500.00 award that permits acquisition of five SWAT cameras for the Sheriff Department did not agree with the identification number from his records. In Agenda Item #9, the award agreement identified as Grant 2025-VC-VCR-78337 for the time period from January 1-December 31,2025 did not agree with his documentation, Commissioner Carolyn Brakey was very quick to agree that her research into the project revealed that the correct identification of the project was Grant 2024-JG-AR3-4707.

Sheriff Hildenbrand was quick to express relief that any potential problem had been caught and rectified in a timely fashion. Commissioners’ Clerk, Christine Blair, conceded that she had recorded the identification on this grant incorrectly.

Gratefully, there were no errors on the second grant agreement. This second award, also from the Ohio Department of Public Safety turned out to be the actual Grant #2025-VC-VCR-78337, not for $25,500, but for $12,750.00 for the period July 1, 2024-June 30, 2026. This grant was able to provide 3 SWAT cameras to patrol members on active duty.

Commissioners Dvorak, Brakey, and Spidalieri unanimously approved Items 9 and 10 after Sheriff Hildenbrand was able to relate how the cameras provided local safety forces with the information to follow up with an aggressor from Virginia with retaliatory intentions before family members in northeast Ohio were harmed.

We are grateful for the lives saved through the availability of the SWAT cameras and through Sheriff Hildenbrand’s explanation.

As an endnote, toward the end of the July 1 Commissioners’ Meeting, Budget and Finance Manager, Adrian Gorton, realized that he had failed to recognize the presence of Sheriff Hildenbrand during his 2026 Geauga County Budget Presentation in Item 15. Mr. Gorton apologized for any possible unintended oversight. Sheriff Hildenbrand responded in typical deadpan fashion, “I felt slighted.” Gales of laughter resounded in the room.