Board of Developmental Disabilities Discusses Local Impact
of Potential Ohio Tax Reform Measures
Board of Developmental Disabilities (BODD) Meeting - May 21, 2025
Meeting Details: The Board of Developmental Disabilities held a Regular Meeting at 6:00 pm on May 21, 2025 in the Administration Board Room at the Metzenbaum Center at 8200 Cedar Rd., Chesterland, OH 44026. Virtual access was available via Zoom, and the agenda was provided in advance. For virtual meeting information contact Kellie Tvergyak-Oznowich at ktvergyako@geaugadd.org. This Observer attended in person.
Public Comment: Board of Developmental Disabilities has a written public comment policy, first approved by BODD in 2001, and was most recently reviewed by the Board in October 2023. See policy here.
Board Attendance:
Developmental Disabilities Staff:
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Don Rice - Superintendent
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Dave Carlson - Assistant Superintendent
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Rean Davis - Business Operations Director
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Tami Setlock - Support and Service Administration
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Richelle Mills - Transportation
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Megan Thirion - Employment First
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Janice Chesnes - Human Resources
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Meredith Myers - Early Intervention (via video)
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Kellie Tvergyak-Oznowich - Administrative Assistant
Others Present:
The Board meeting was called to order at 6:03 pm by Ms. Janson.
Minutes: Minutes for the April 19, 2025 Board Meeting were approved without edits.
The Board took the following actions:
APPROVED - Financial statement for the period of April 2025 - Ms. Davis presented the April financials and noted that April was a particularly strong revenue month due to property tax deposits and a waiver reconciliation refund for FY23. She pointed out a change to the presentation of revenue, where some revenue was now classified separately as "Federal Grants" rather than included in “Other,” per updated state guidance. She also clarified that Account “901 Other” included subscription and other miscellaneous operational costs and noted that lease revenues were received but the lease expense figures would be later adjusted by the Auditor’s office. She concluded by confirming that the year-to-date results were on track with the budget.
APPROVED - Financial Transactions & Voucher Approvals - The board reviewed and approved various financial transactions, expenditures, and vouchers.
APPROVED - Locally Funded Service Agreement - The BODD Ethics Council recommended approval of a transportation services agreement with Curtis Jones Brown for $10,000 and one with Susan Ritchie for $6,000, each covering the period through the end of 2025.
APPROVED - Generator - Currently one generator is shared amongst the 4 Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) houses on the Metzenbaum campus. Only 2 of the houses are currently operated by BODD, and the new generator is needed to fully power the 2 houses at a cost of $75,000.
APPROVED - Renovation - The vestibular room at GCBDD is an important space used by numerous children and families for soft play, occupational therapy, and sensory regulation. The renovation of the room will include new padding for the walls and a padded floor surface to improve safety and hygiene at a total cost of $10,000.
APPROVED - Tax Fees - Per Ohio Revised Code §319.54, fees are assessed by the County Auditor to county departments based on real estate revenues collected. An additional amount of $25,000 above what was budgeted is expected to be needed to pay the annual fees assessed to BODD.
APPROVED - Rooftop Air Conditioner (AC) - The current AC unit is nearing the end of its useful life. The unit is essential for regulating the temperature of critical IT infrastructure located in the server room. The appropriation of $25,000 is needed to replace the unit.
APPROVED - Jewish Family Service Association (JFSA) Lease Amendment - The lease is between JFSA and BODD for the rental of the 2 ICF units not currently operated by BODD. The amendment is necessary to clarify the split of shared operational costs between the parties to the lease.
APPROVED - Locally Funded Service Agreement with Blick Clinic Inc. - This company provides money management services to individuals not yet on Medicaid waivers. The amount to be paid was increased by $3,500, and not to exceed a total amount of $4,500.
APPROVED - Disposal of outdated or unusable assets - Old IT equipment and a washing machine.
The Board received the following status and program reports:
Major Unusual Incidents (MUIs):
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Mr. Rice reviewed the MUI (Major Unusual Incidents) report, noting that MUIs remained low with 7 reported during the month of April. He communicated that there had been 2 not unexpected deaths during the month, one in hospice and another in a nursing home.
Population & Residential Services:
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Mr. Rice reported that the total population served of 995 was the same as the prior month.
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Residential care population was 192 individuals in April. Residential waivers and the waiver waiting list remained stable. A total of 301 individuals were receiving waivers while 3 were on the waiver waiting list.
Employment & HR Updates:
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Mr. Rice reported that 188 individuals served by BODD were actively employed, down from 190 in the prior month.
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Mr. Rice also noted that the BODD staff remained at 60.
Program Reports:
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Included in the board package was the 2025 Annual Report for Maple Leaf Community Residences for Board review.
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NPower Program Report - Mr. Rice summarized the NPower Program report which detailed social and recreational programs provided by NPower during the month. Observer Note: See the LWVG Observer Report for March 19, 2025 for more information on NPower.
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The Board reviewed the 2024 BODD Annual Report which is now available online at the BODD website.
The Board discussed the following issues:
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2030 Vision - The Board reviewed a draft of the 2030 Vision, a five-year strategic planning document to guide long-term service and financial planning.
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August BODD Board Meeting - Mr. Rice explained that the BODD Board is required to meet 10 times per year. The Board discussed possibly canceling the August board meeting, consistent with past practice if the meeting quota is expected to be met.
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IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) Part B - The use of IDEA Part B federal funding to support transition services for school-age individuals was discussed. It was noted this funding is small but useful and consistently applied for two Service and Support Administrator (SSA) salaries. This was raised due to the possibility of losing this funding as a result of ongoing cuts to the U.S. Department of Education.
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Synergy - The Board approved a traditional $500 sponsorship of the SYNERGY conference, an industry conference to be held in October.
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Caroline’s Adaptive Shopping Cart - A discussion was held around "Caroline’s Adaptive Shopping Cart," a proposal to support grocery stores in acquiring adaptive carts for individuals with disabilities. While not up for a vote, board members considered the inclusivity and practicality of such an initiative and discussed the possibility of piloting the program in a few local stores, with further research and proposals to be developed.
General Announcements
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Mr. Rice noted the upcoming golf outing to raise funds for BODD to be held on June 13, 2025 at St. Denis golf course.
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Mr. Rice noted that public response to BODD community presentations had been positive, with common questions focusing on funding sources and services provided. This led into an in-depth discussion on the potential impacts of proposed state-level tax reforms. Mr. Rice detailed how significant property tax changes—particularly efforts to eliminate or limit local levies—could drastically affect funding for local DD services. Various proposals, such as limiting carryover funds, elimination of replacement levies and replacing levies with state-distributed revenues, were discussed in terms of their potential risks to local service control and stability. Concerns were also raised about the impact of property tax increases on senior citizens and the possibility of deferred tax relief mechanisms for homeowners on fixed incomes. Observer Note: Under House Bill 28 passed in March 2025, local governments will be prohibited from proposing replacement property tax levies beginning with elections held on or after October 21, 2025. A replacement levy uses updated property values to calculate property taxes, which in most cases results in a higher tax payment, even if the levy millage remains the same.
Public Comment: Mr. Rice asked if there were any comments from the floor. There were none.
Executive Session - The Board voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the employment and compensation of a public employment, pursuant to O.R.C. 121.22 (G)(1). Mr. Rice announced that there would be no report from the Executive Session.
The regular meeting was adjourned at 7:08 pm.
The next BODD meeting is scheduled for June 18, 2025 at 6 pm.
Minutes when posted are available here: Board Minute Summaries|Geauga County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
Observer: Carol Benton
Editor: Rooney Moy
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Submitted: May 28, 2025
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