Officials from Geauga School Districts Comment on the Possible Negative Impacts
If the Homestead and Owner Occupied Property Tax Credits Are Changed
Board of County Commissioners Meeting - June 16, 2026
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met in Regular Session on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 9:30 am for a Regular Meeting at the Geauga County Office Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH. BOCC Meetings can be live streamed through the Geauga ADP Youtube channel and can be accessed here by scrolling down and clicking on the section for YouTube videos. Recordings are available for the public. This meeting can be found here. As of this report’s publication date, the video has been viewed 314 times. Notations in the report refer to the minute notation on the video for a particular section. An agenda is available in advance via request to the Commissioners’ Clerk and at the meeting. Items discussed at the meeting but not on the agenda, if any, are addressed at the end of this report.
Public Comment Policy: Permitted as outlined in the BOCC’s Public Comment Policy that was adopted on January 28, 2025, revised on April 15, 2025, and again modified on September 30, 2025 and February 24, 2026.
Attendance: Present were Commissioners Carolyn Brakey, James Dvorak and Ralph Spidalieri. Also present were Commissioners’ Clerk Christine Blair, County Administrator Amy Bevan and Finance Manager Adrian Gorton.
County Representatives: Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand; Chief Deputy Tom Rowan; Rob Weigle, Director, Maintenance Department; Craig Swenson, Executive Director, Job and Family Services (JFS); Dan Spada, Director, Building Department; Michael Davet, Assistant Building Official; Charles Tkach, Project Coordinator, Maintenance Department; Nick Gorris, Director, Water Resources; Max Yost, County Communications/Media Specialist
Others in Attendance: Family of Levi Beck; Bruce Willingham, Kenston School Superintendent; Karen Pavlat, West Geauga Treasurer; John Stoddard, Berkshire School District Superintendent; numerous other Board members, Treasurers and staff of Geauga County public school districts; Kris Carroll, Director, Geauga Public Library; Bill Young, Chardon City Manager; Geauga Maple Leaf reporter Allison Wilson, other members of the public and press, and this LWVG Observer.
9:06 Min Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer (Commissioner Dvorak)
Observer Note: There is video but no sound until part-way through the report of the Finance Director.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval for a Clarification on Motion from June 9, 2026, regarding the approval of Resolution #26-091 to Declare a Road Name Change for a portion of Osmond Road to Levi Lane in Burton Township and Claridon Township, Geauga County, Ohio. Ms. Blair said that this item did not require a vote, but was a clarification on the motion of June 9, 2026 regarding the name change for a portion of Osmond Road to Levi Lane. The Commissioners signed a resolution and presented it to the Beck Family.
Public Comment on Agenda Items
The family of Levi Beck expressed their gratitude to the Commissioners for the recent name change to permit a portion of Osmond Road to be named Levi Lane in honor of their son, who died from SUDC (Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood). A photo was taken with the Commissioners and the Becks.
11:22 Min Administrator - The following was approved by Ms. Bevan:
Minutes - Minutes for January 6, 2026 and January 13, 2026 were approved. Observer Note: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for the BOCC are available online through June 16, 2026 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through December 30, 2025.
15:56 Min Report of Financials - County Finance Manager Adrian Gorton received approval for the following: Observer Note: The audio begins at 16:23 minutes.
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Supplemental from the Commissioners into the Opiate Settlement Fund
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Purchase Order for Water Resources for two new 2026 Dodge Ram Trucks
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Vouchers (Note the audio begins here)
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$67,428.63 from the Commissioners to Ohio State University for the 2nd quarter charges for agricultural support program
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$135,200.55 from Community Development to 7145 Pine LLC for a brownfield remediation grant project.
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$28,234.14 from the Engineer’s Office to Geauga Highway Company for pavement application number one of the asphalt resurfacing of section A of Gingrich Road
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$74,587 from the Maintenance department to Kenneth A Rodick for the county barn roof replacement.
17:23 Min The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the following:
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to authorize an additional $1,980.04 of Opioid Settlement Funds for the Sheriff for the purchase of an MX908 Drug Testing Device and necessary testing supplies, as the original amount of $74,952.13 approved August 28, 2025, has increased for a new total amount of $76,932.17.
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to approve a request from Judge Terri Stupica for an increase to the County portion of the salary for the Chardon Municipal Court Pre-Trial Release Officer effective starting in 2026, due to increased duties and responsibilities to a total of $30,000.00. This is an increase of $7,000.00 to the original amount of $23,000.00 approved in October 2019. Mr. Gorton said that in reviewing this, he applied the same salary increases as those granted to county employees since 2019 and he said the resulting figure was close to what was requested. He said that in the future he intends to ask for approval every time the Commissioners grant a salary increase rather than wait several years. Mrs. Brakey said this made sense to her.
20:38 Min. The Maintenance Department received approval for the following:
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to execute the service Contract Agreement with Great Lakes Glass, Incorporated to remove existing glass and refurbish and install new 1⁄4 clear tempered glass, per exhibits, for the Clerk of Courts and Financial Office at the Geauga County Courthouse per the Maintenance Director, effective June 16, 2026 with work to be completed within ninety (90) days in an amount not to exceed $1,706.00.
Mrs. Brakey asked for an explanation of why this had to be done, given that this was just completed. Mr. Weigle said that there had been a change to the height of the counter which was needed for access for individuals in wheelchairs, and now the hole in the glass is at the wrong level for comfortable conversation.
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to advertise for Bids for the Geauga County Safety Center Roof Upgrade project to be held on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 2:00 pm. Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on June 19, 2026, June 26, 2026, and on the county website. Mr. Dvorak asked if the bids were coming on-line, and Mr. Tkach said that they would be in person.
24:21 Min. The Department of Water Resources received approval for the following:
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to authorize Ralph Spidalieri, authorized representative, to execute the Ohio Water Development Authority Fund Payment Request #14 for the McFarland Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements Project for technical services by HDR Engineering, Incorporated in the amount of $55,475.31.
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to execute Contract Maintenance Form #1, increasing the Engineering Agreement with HDR Engineering Incorporated for engineering and construction services for the McFarland Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project in the amount of $60,000.00, for a new agreement amount of $1,255,680.00. Mr. Gorris said that this was required due to soil issues that will now require additional testing. Mr. Dvorak questioned whether one area that will be tested might need to be taken out and Mr. Gorris said that was correct, but they won’t know until after the testing.
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to execute Contract Maintenance Form #1, increasing the service Contract Agreement with All Lift Service Company in the amount of $2,527.14 in the Water District for repairs, for a new not to exceed amount of $9,027.14.
34:12 Min The Department of Job and Family Services received approval to certify the updated Geauga County Prevention, Retention and Contingency Plan to be effective July 1, 2026, pursuant to O.R.C. 5108.07. Mr. Swenson said that every county has their own unique plan and they are all posted on the State website.
36:22 Min. The Commissioners’ Office received approval to accept the resignation of Maximus Yost, Part-time Communications / Media Specialist (#1333-1), to be effective July 3, 2026. The Commissioners wished Mr. Yost future success at law school and acknowledged all the good work he had done while he was with the Commissioners’ office.
37:52 Min The Commissioners’ Office received approval to hold Public Hearing #1 at 10:00 am for the Building Department to discuss proposed updates to the Permit Fee Schedule.
The Public Hearing began at 10:00 am with the swearing in of anyone who wanted to offer testimony.
Mr. Spada said that the reasons for the change in fees were discussed at a work session with the Commissioners. Reviewer Note: See the LWVG Observer Report on the April 23, 2026 BOCC work session here. He said that they had evaluated how each fee affects the department and that some fees remained the same while others were increased. He said that fees haven’t been increased since 2022. Mr. Spada said that after the second public hearing next week, the new fee schedule would go into effect August 1st if it is approved by the Commissioners.
The Public Hearing closed at 10:03 am
Observer Note: At this point on the Agenda the Executive Session was scheduled, but Mrs. Brakey asked if they could go to Public Comment before the Executive Session. All Commissioners agreed.
42:01 Min Public Comment - Mrs. Brakey asked that Public Comment be held before the planned Executive Session.
The following individuals made comments:
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Mr. Bruce Willingham, Superintendent, Kenston Schools: “Together, our five districts stand as the second largest employer in the county, and we are delivering an urgent unified plea. We strongly urge this board to maintain its previous position and decline to exercise the piggyback property tax exemption as outlined in House Bill 96. . . . When this exact Board of Commissioners evaluated the local implications of House Bill 96 last fall, you listened to an overwhelming wave of caution from our county townships, library systems, safety forces, and school boards. You subsequently voted unanimously against implementing these provisions. At that time, Auditor Walder and members of the board accurately noted that the piggyback provision operates in a circular mentality. It attempts to give residents tax relief in a manner that forces immediate revenue losses, subsequently triggering new taxes, defunding voter approved levies, and driving public entities to return to the ballot far earlier than anticipated. Today, only nine of Ohio's 88 counties have exercised this highly volatile option. Why choose to become the 10th when this board has already formally recognized the direct threat that it poses to schools and vital local government services? Observer Note: This provision allows County Commissioners to expand credits for the Homestead Rebate and owner occupied tax credit; more information is available here. Reviewer Note: For details on the Commissioners’ previous decision not to adopt the “piggyback provision” in House Bill 96 for either the homestead exemption or owner occupied credits, see the November 18, 2025 BOCC Meeting LWVG Observer Report here.
He said that structural solutions need to happen, but that recently over 75 state groups opposed property tax abolishment. He concluded, “Under revised code section 5705.313, the Board of County Commissioners has the authority to balance sales tax increases with an accompanying resolution to reduce property tax rates for current expenses within the 10m (mills) limitation. Utilizing this mechanism could provide up to 2.5 mills of direct property tax relief to all Geauga taxpayers, including residential homeowners, commercial entities, and public utilities, without defunding classrooms, laying off county residents, or destabilizing the county's second largest workforce.” He ended, “Let us work together”. Observer Note: See ORC 5705.313 here.
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Karen Pavlat, West Geauga Treasurer: Ms. Pavlat said she was representing all five Geauga School Districts. She said: “This provision poses an immediate compounding financial threat to our schools which stand to lose approximately $3.3 million annually. Projected annual losses and corresponding estimated staff reductions are as follows. West Geauga: $950,000, (equivalent to) 10 to 12 staff members. Kenston: $900,000, equivalent to 10 to 12 staff members. Chardon: $850,000, equivalent to 8 to 10 staff. These are teacher staff. Berkshire: $340,000, equivalent to four staff members, and Cardinal: $250,000, equivalent to three staff members. This provision inflicts immediate direct financial cuts across every single local school district at a time when we can least afford it. School districts are not exempt from the severe inflation we've had in the past 5 years. Baseline operational costs for fuel, school mills, utilities, and classroom materials have dramatically increased, leaving no safety margin to absorb the revenue cuts. Furthermore, the true physical impact of House Bill 186 calculations still remains unknown. Berkshire and West Geauga are already projected to lose over $3.2 million and $7.1 million respectively over the next three years. We just don't have those accurate figures from the county yet. County Auditors across the state are struggling to implement House Bill 186, which will delay June property tax bills and subsequent revenue collections for schools and other government (entities) relying on these property taxes. While the piggyback resolution reduces the taxable valuation for specific properties, it will trigger automatic rate adjustments under the Ohio tax reduction factors, House Bill 920, in order to meet bond obligations and fixed fee sums such as emergency levies. The tax burden will automatically shift to local small businesses and other non-qualifying residential properties to make up the difference. School finances rely heavily on the predictive nature of revenue forecasting. Because the piggyback provision is permissive and evaluated annually, the county commission could implement the credit one year and revoke it the next. This makes multi-year financial forecasting chaotic and nearly impossible. School districts start their new fiscal year in 15 days, making immediate spending cuts very difficult to make at this time given our contractual obligations. Courses have been set, staff have been hired, bus routes have been projected, and students have been enrolled. Our schools have already proven their commitment to fiscal responsibility…. Because new levies do not include traditional owner occupied or homestead exemptions, these previously state reimbursed costs will shift entirely to your residents. While this move saves money for the state, it ultimately costs Geauga County residents significantly more out of their own pockets. Thank you for your time. We appreciate your efforts and discussion on this.”
51:32 Min The Department of Job and Family Services received approval at 10:12 am to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the compensation of public employees, pursuant to O.R.C. 121.22 (G)(1).
1:06:06 Min. Return from Executive Session at 10:27 am with action as follows:
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The Executive Director of the Department of Job and Family Services received approval for his recommendation for an overall 3% increase to the department's compensation and revise the classification and salary schedule appendix A by 2% to be effective June 21st, 2026, the first day of the 14th pay period of 2026.
Mrs. Brakey asked for clarification of why this is done at this time, and Mr. Swenson said that it had to do with the fact that they operate mostly on the State’s fiscal year and not a calendar year basis.
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The Executive Director of the Department of Job and Family Services received approval for his recommendation to grant merit increases of 3% of the base rate of compensation for three employees, to be effective June 21st, 2026, the first day of the number 14 payroll period.
108:38 Min The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the revised Letterhead with blue logo and the templates for a variety of correspondence, including use by Departments.
1:13:24 Min. Board Discussion – America’s 250 Heritage Tree update - It was discussed that it might be preferable to have the tree on County property rather than at Century Village. Several locations were suggested, in addition to the County Fair property, which is also owned by the County. The Staff will further consult with Carmella Shale, Director of Geauga Soil and Water, as to the best location for planting such a tree on county property.
1:15:32 Min. Discussion of Commissioners’ Conference Room - Ms. Bevan and Mr. Yost talked about a new graphic for the Commissioners’ Conference Room and acknowledged that the TV monitors have been removed from the wall.
1:19:45 Min. Discussion of Legal Fees - Mrs. Brakey said she wanted to discuss the process that departments go through when they are hiring a law firm. Ms. Bevan said they had planned to send out an email to all departments to review the correct process. Mrs. Brakey had said that she thought it should be a Joint Application with the Prosecutor's Office. There was further discussion about the fact that a law firm had been approved to offer advice concerning the union for ADP. Mrs. Brakey said her understanding was that they were not hired as legal counsel, but rather to provide consulting advice. Mr. Spidalieri said he would follow up with ADP and the Prosecutor’s Office on that question.
Mr. Spidalieri brought up the topic of appointments to Boards, including the Library and Mental Health and Recovery Board. Ms. Blair said that they did receive applications for the Library Board and she would be forwarding them to the Commissioners. The date to apply was listed as June 19, 2026, so Mr. Spidalieri withdrew his motion to re-appoint Crist Miller to his current position on the Library Board and agreed to wait to get all the applications.
Then Mr. Spidalieri brought up the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board vacancies. After discussion, it was agreed to ask the Director, Christine Lakomiak, to interview the applicants and make a recommendation to the Commissioners.
Mr. Dvorak had one additional comment, regarding a Facebook post he saw after the last meeting: “there was a post from this fake newspaper, Voice of Geauga, and made their post that they took a tragedy - the death of a 2-year-old boy - into a political statement. And I think that's very low. This is the lowest I've felt about anything in Geauga County. It's just very disgusting and disturbing that they would do that.”
1:30:56 Min. Adjournment at 10:41 am.
Next Meeting: The next two Regular meetings will be Tuesday, June 23, 2026 and Tuesday June 30, 2026 at 9:30 am at the Geauga County Office Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH. Reviewer Note: After this meeting, a Special Meeting was scheduled for Monday, June 22, 2026 at 10:00 am “to hold an Executive Session for the purpose of discussing matters required to be kept confidential by federal law or regulations or state statutes, in accordance with O.R.C. 121.22 (G)(5), and to take any necessary action following the executive session.”
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor: Carol Benton
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: June 22, 2026
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