Welcome to Auburn Township in Beautiful Geauga County Ohio

2027 GEAUGA BUDGET MUSTERS COMMISSIONER APPROVAL

Tuesday, July 8, 2026

Geauga County’s 6.75% Sales Tax on retail purchases has traditionally been the largest source of revenue for Geauga County. Especially remarkable has been the fact that nearly 50% of General Fund revenue for 2027’s anticipated county operations comes from only 1% of its retained collected sales tax on retail sales to provide $22.8 million, or 46.31% of the revenue to fund county operations. The other 5.75% goes to the State of Ohio.

The second best-known component of General Fund revenue is the collection of real-estate or property taxes, estimated to bring in $11.6 million. So taken together, Sales Tax and Property Tax collections bring in about 70% of the revenue at $34.4 million out of the estimated total $49.1 million.

Interestingly, yesteryear’s highly touted Casino Tax, which was predicted to be a generous income source for Geauga County, is projected to bring in $1.5 million, at 3.05%, thereby generating as much income to the County as the Geauga Sheriff’s prisoner housing program.

This calculated 2027 General Fund revenue of reflects a $1.3 million or 2.6% increase over the $47.8 million of 2026.

On the expense side, Gorton expects the 2027 tax budget for Geauga County to hit $53.2 million, an increase of $1.9 million, or 3.7 % from 2026. In terms of expense control, Gorton further emphasizes no wage hikes for county employees within Commissioners’ hiring authority under the 2027 tax budget as well as no monetary increases in the County-paid portion of employee hospitalization, compared to actions under the 2026 budget, when the County-portion increased 7.7% and 12% for Employees. It appears that the 2027 General Fund will not permit any inflationary rise in hospitalization coverage.

In addition, the expense side will be categorized by funds to be paid out for salaries, Medicare, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System, Bureau of Workmen Compensation, and Unemployment for a total of 63% of the entire funding. Hospitalization and other unspecified expenses will each comprise 11% of the $53.2 million, with contract services comprising 10%, and equipment and supplies each comprising 2% of the General Fund expense pie.

Within the 2027 tax budget, Public Safety/Sheriff Department will continue to involve the largest budget expense, as it did in 2026. Nevertheless, Public Safety/Sheriff Department expense is projected to reflect $700,000 more within the 2027 Budget, constituting about 40% of General Fund operating expenses at $18,700,000.

Legislative/Executive expense will increase by $1.3 million to nearly $18,100,000 for a close second to Public Safety/Sheriff Department for 2027 for 38.4% of the Operating Expense pie. The Legislative/Executive section of Geauga County comprises Auditor, Commissioners, Archives and Records, Prosecutor, Recorder, Treasurer, ADP Board, Maintenance Department, Planning Commission, Board of Elections, and County Engineer.

By categorization, Judicial refers to Clerk of Courts, Common Pleas Court, Juvenile Court, Probate Court, Municipal Court, Jury Commission, and Public Defender. Judicial expense will remain about the same overall, at an operating cost of $7,000,000.

Based on the county’s Clean 2024 State Audit and high credit rating, Gorton is pleased to relate that the county is comfortable operating conservatively with a very high credit rating and “unnecessary fiscal risk.” He, therefore, stresses repairs being undertaken on a timely basis to avoid major building area-replacements. Finally, strategic decisions should focus on which buildings and departments ultimately to retain. Gorton believes that efficient utilization of these maintained assets should help provide savings to the County’s taxpayers in the long run.

After Gorton’s presentation to all three Commissioners on July 1, no more action was taken, but on July 8, 2026, the 2027 Budget became subject to Agenda Item #6:

The Commissioners’ Office is requesting the Board approve and execute Resolution 326-109 Adopting the 2027 Annual Tax Budget in Accordance with O.R.C. 5705.28 and 5705.29.

The resolution passed 2-0 with Commissioner Spidalieri not present for the vote.

AUBURN TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE MEETING, JULY 6, 2026

Thursday, July 9, 2026

Technically the meeting began with a crowded public hearing of the 2027 township budget by Fiscal Officer Dan Matsko from 6:45-7:05pm. The Geauga County Budget Commission will assign Mr. Matsko a particular date in August to review the particulars of the Auburn 2027 Budget in preparation for the fiscal cycle as it all unfolds in early 2027. We understand that as in past years the interview with the Budget Commission will be live streamed so interested parties can view the procedure for convenience. We will communicate the date when it becomes known to us.

During the course of the budget overview, the audience learned that Fire Prevention Officer John Phillips will be getting a 3% raise; in addition, the Fire Contract is to be increased by 4%. Other variables that may impact the budget are cost of fuel and gasoline. The budget has to be submitted to the Auditor by July 15, 2026.

Before the budget hearing closed, there was discussion about the possibility of a part-time township fire prevention officer because the State pf Ohio does not permit a township to have a fire chief. Nevertheless, there is the possibility that a part-time fire chief may be hired by the fire company at the same time that there is a full-time fire prevention officer. If Auburn Township has two officers involved with fire resolution, the cost of fire prevention in Auburn Township will closely approach $200,000, according to Fiscal Officer Matsko.

The first regular Trustee meeting for July began immediately after the close of the hearing with guest speaker, John Nesi, currently an alternate member of the Auburn Township Board of Zoning Appeals, who referred to current updates on the possible plans for development of a motocross track that have resulted in the signatures of 350 Auburn Township residents protesting noise nuisance levels from a motocross track hat would disturb their “low density” R1 neighborhoods. The topic has engaged a great deal of focus and attention ongoing one for the last several trustee meetings.

Mr. Nesi’s address to attendees asked sought answers/confirmation from Trustees/Zoning Inspector:

1) Confirmation that a motocross track is a non-permitted use in R1, residentially-zoned areas

2) Definition of “nuisance noise”

3) Preservation/defense of low-density R1 zoning by refusing to allow construction of a motocross on private property

The speaker accused Trustee Davis of being in collusion with Munn Road acreage owner/motocross enthusiast Nathan Epprecht. In conclusion, the speaker demanded Davis’ resignation as Trustee if he could not support the 350 petition signers’ protest.

Zoning Inspector Frank Kitko added clarification, as he has to the motocross issue for several meetings, noting that an individual property owner can legally ride a motorcycle on his own property for recreation, but the ultimate determination regarding the legality of any extended noise disturbance will rest with Kitko’s authority as township Zoning Inspector. “I don’t know what will happen,” he added. In other business, he indicated processing 14 zoning applications.

Trustee Davis summarized that the main subject in Auburn Township has been “noise” for months. Trustee Troyan read the Assistant Prosecutor’s opinion on the ease of prosecuting “noise nuisance” cases: “In general, noise violations are difficult to enforce universally. The best way [to pursue a complaint for Common Pleas Court] is to hire a private attorney.”

Trustee PJ Cavanagh was first to give his report, noting that White Oak was the original road in the subdivision of that name. He recounted that the intersection of Auburndale dr. / White Oak had been a ditch problematic for a soft shoulder and resulted in a lot of work outlined in an invoice from Phillips Paving that the County Engineer has recommended the township pay. The invoice, received the afternoon of the meeting, reflected an additional billing of some $34,000 for a total of $733,206.15. Once the circumstances had been explained, F.O. Matsko agreed to make the payment.

Trustee Riley Davis in his report demonstrated the new TV monitor purchased for about $490 of the original $1000 set aside. He also covered plans for a new township website by Company 119. Although the original website price had been about $4500, Company 119 is agreeable to developing 13 pages for $2340.00 plus two more pages @ $180 each (for a subtotal of $360) for a total website bill of $2700.

In other business, Davis explained that he repaired broken water pipes in the town hall without any cost to the township and that the rocky cemetery report issue in the spring has settled, thanks to the excellent organization of Mr. Fenstermaker, whose report was read into the meeting minutes.

Trustee Troyan had no report, but he reported that The Patio information has been forwarded on to the Assistant Prosecutor for further actions.

Fiscal Officer Dan Matsko read his financial report. He identified 44 payments totaling $114,961.11 in the time period of June 16 to July 6,2026. Further, he indicated reallocation of funds to be able to purchase a single axle dump truck for the township next month. He also accounted for Star Ohio accounts, and OTARMA representation from Auburn Township. The Township will continue coverage with Medical Mutual after a unanimous vote of approval for the 6.5% cost increase over the last contract.

The Resolution of Necessity for the 1.0 mill Road and Bridge Renewal Levy, first voted on in 2008, will be an issue on the November 3, 2026, ballot.

There will be a Public Hearing for ZC 2026-01 in the Administration Building, 11010 Washington Street, at 7 pm on July 16, 2026, followed by the Auburn Township Zoning Commission’s regular meeting.

The next meeting of the Auburn Township Trustees will occur Monday, July 20, 2026, at 7pm at the Administration Building, 11010 Washington Street.

The first August meeting of the trustees will occur Monday, August 3, 2026, at 7pm at the Administration Building, 11010 Washington Street.