Interim Fiscal Officer/Treasurer Appointed After Termination of Ron Leyde
Geauga Park District Board Regular Meeting - July 20, 2026
Meeting Details: The Geauga Park District (GPD) Board met on Monday, July 20, 2026, at 8:30 am at Big Creek Park Meyer Center, 9160 Robinson Rd, Chardon, OH 44024. This meeting was in-person only with no virtual attendance option. This Observer makes a request to GPD Executive Director John Oros (joros@geaugaparkdistrict.org) for the Board packet in advance of the meeting in order to better understand the substance of the matters on the agenda.
Public Comment Policy: The Park District Board does not have a formal policy and in practice never permits public comment.
Board Attendance: Present were Commissioners Howard Bates, Ray Guarino, Sally LaMarca, John Ralph and Frank Stein.
Staff Attendance: John Oros, Executive Director; Matt McCue, Deputy Director; and Jessica Alpers, Administrative Assistant. Also in attendance were Lucas Beamer, IT Manager; John Kolar, Chief Naturalist; Sandy Ward, Marketing Coordinator; Mike Rose, Chief Park Ranger; Christine Cycyk, Human Resource Manager; and legal council representative from the law firm of Thrasher, Dinsmore and Dolan.
Public Attendance: Members of Protect Geauga Parks and this LWVG Observer.
Pledge of Allegiance: Recited.
Approval of Agenda/Addendum Items: There were no items added to the Agenda. The Agenda was approved.
Minutes: Minutes from the June 15, 2026 meeting were approved without question or comment and are posted online here.
Financial Report: Mr.Oros stated that the financial reports are now being generated directly from the Uniform Accounting Network (UAN). Some reports not previously part of the monthly packet include Bank Reconciliation, Bank Balances, Revenue Receipts and Cash Flow Summary. This accounting system is the financial software and, ultimately, is what the state auditor uses when they audit the books.
Mr. Oros verbally reported these individual fund balances as of April 30, 2026:
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Ending balance as of 6/30/2026 in the General Fund: $4,622,635
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Ending balance as of 6/30/2026 in the Land Improvement Fund: $2,887,794
Presentation of Payment Report for April: Mr. Bates questioned 3 separate payments which were explained.
Observer Note: There was no approval or motion regarding the payment report as the payments have already occurred.
Old Business - Mr. McCue reported that all previously approved projects are completed, in progress or will start in late July.
New Business - Mr. Oros received approval for the following requests:
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Appointment of Human Resource Manager Christine Cycyk as Interim Fiscal Officer and Treasurer. Mr. Oros stated that the previous Fiscal Office/Treasurer, Mr. Leyde has been terminated. They are conducting a search for a permanent candidate. Reviewer Note: Read about the discussion during public comment around Mr. Leyde’s termination from the Auditor’s department before he was hired by the GPD at the Budget Commission June 29, 2026 meeting.
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Disposal of surplus items for either scrap, donation or auction.
Commissioners’ Time - Various staff members presented accomplishments that took place during the month of June:
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Movie Nights at Observatory Park have been very successful. The attendance for the movie, Finding Nemo, was 250 people.
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41 paddlers participated in Paddle Fest at Headwaters Park.
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530 patrons borrowed boats at Headwaters Park.
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150 climbers used the rope course at Claridon Woodlands.
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There were 103 Naturalist programs with 2,267 people in attendance.
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Westwoods Nature Center had 1,460 visitors.
Mr. Kolar stated that they had received positive feedback from patrons regarding the Accessible Nature Park Tours. These tours provide tours in a golf cart for those that may have difficulty getting around.
Ms. Ward reported that the park district received a $1,000 safety grant from the Public Entities Pool of Ohio. The grant will be used to restock existing first aid boxes and for new safety equipment in various locations and vehicles. Mr. Oros thanked Ms. Alpers for applying for the grant.
Observer Note: More information on Park District events is available here.
Executive Session - There was no executive session.
Public Comment - Per Geauga Park District practice, no public comment was permitted.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:48
Reviewer Comment: Without public discussion by the Board of Agenda items or the opportunity for members of the public to comment and ask questions, the ability of the public to fully understand the business of the Geauga Park District and its use of Geauga County taxpayer funding is hindered.
Next meeting – Monday, August 17 2026 at 8:15 am. There will be a record retention disposal meeting at 8:15 with the GPD Board meeting starting at 8:30.
See the GPD Website for Additional Information and Minutes.
Observer: Mary Heintzelman
Editor: Gail Roussey
Reviewer: Carol Benton
Date Submitted: 7/27/2026
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