Geauga Soil & Water Commission Participates in Amish Safety Day
with 600 Participants
Geauga Soil & Water Conservation District (GSWCD) Board Meeting - August 11, 2026
Meeting Details: The Geauga Soil & Water Conservation District (GSWCD) met on August 11, 2026 at 7:30 am at the Geauga County Office Building, 12611 Ravenwood Dr. #240, Chardon, OH.
Board Attendance: Jeff Huntsberger, Board Chair; Robert Lausin, Vice Chair; Tracy Engle, Secretary; Dee Belew, Fiscal Agent; Mary Slingluff, Treasurer
Staff Attendance: Carmella Shale, District Director/Engineer; Gail Prunty, Education/Communications Specialist; Katie Williams, Conservation Education Coordinator; Elaine Malkamaki, Administrative Assistant; Lisa Berkheimer, Conservation Technician; Colleen Sharp, Natural Resources Technician
Scheduled Guests: Julie Parker, District Conservationist, United States Department of Agriculture/Natural Resources Conservation Services (USDA/NRCS); Rebecca O’Neill, Program Specialist, Ohio Department of Agriculture/Division of Soil & Water Conservation (ODA-DSWD)
Open Board Meeting- 7:38 am
Pledge of Allegiance
OPEN PUBLIC DISCUSSION This Observer walked into the building at the same time as Mr. Huntsberger, who had questions about what the purpose of the observation was and what did the Observer do with the information from the meeting. It was explained that as a volunteer for the League of Women Voters-Geauga (LWV-G), notes are taken and written up on the meeting and shared in an email with other observer corps notes from other county government meetings. It was explained that personally the information is interesting to learn how to care for land, ponds, and what educational programs can be taken through GSWCD. After opening the meeting, Mr. Huntsberger asked that the information we discussed be relayed to everyone in the meeting. It was explained that the notes are placed on the LWV-G website and also mailed out in a monthly newsletter and that over the past year, we have had as many as 500 clicks on a monthly GSWCD report, from not just community members but also lawmakers who are interested in keeping up with what is happening around the county. This Observer noted that it is an opportunity for our readers to learn all the work that is completed and programs offered by GSWCD that are funded through tax money. They expressed thanks for this.
MOTIONS Approved:
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Approval of August 11, 2026 Board Meeting Agenda
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Approval of July 14, 2026 Board Meeting Minutes
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Accept Treasurer’s Reports from previous month (including all deposits and transfers that occurred in addition to previously approved expenditures)
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Money transfer in the amount of $ 1,842.13 from Huntington Savings (Electronic/Stripe Payments through end of July 2026) to Huntington Checking
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Money transfer of $20,000.00 from Middlefield Bank to Chase Bank Savings - Ms. Shale noted to the board the purpose of this move was to keep this account balance under the $250,000, which is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
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Disbursement to Cuyahoga SWCD to transfer the remaining Area 2 Envirothon funds we received to host 2026 Area 2 Envirothon to their District who will be hosting the 2027 Area 2 Envirothon. This was approved with the modification of adding the amount of $5,445.01 being transferred. Ms. Sharp explained that whoever hosts the next Envirothon gets the left over funds from the current year after the Envirothon is completed.
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Approve payment for expenditures, purchase orders, vouchers and bills as presented including EFT (Electronic Fund Transfer) payments and estimates (no Sales Tax for July 2026)
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Approve and acknowledge refund of $80 via Stripe to Cora Martin on 7/8/26 - Ms Shale advised that a permit was not needed to build a deck and refunded the money.
SCHEDULED GUEST: REBECCA O’NEILL, PROGRAM SPECIALIST, ODA-DSWC
Updates The State Commissioners Meeting approved the State Match. Ms. Shale advised that the amount went up $245, for a total state match amount of $274,922. Ms. O’Neill advised that as of this morning, the funds have not yet been released. She acknowledged that each district is keeping an eye out for the deposit into their accounts and that ODA will disperse funds by the end of the month.
The ODA has created a poster to stay in compliance with audits. She acknowledged that GSWCD is always in compliance and does a good job. Ms. O’Neill advised that audits varied across the state because some of the auditors came from out of state, so this is a way to help streamline audit expectations. Ms. Shale advised the board that auditors are paid by the hour when an audit occurs. Last year, GSWCD was so well organized and prepared that their audit concluded days faster than normal, thus saving tax money. Ms. O’Neill advised GSWCD would be receiving a survey regarding their audit.
H2Ohio, a reimbursement grant program, application deadline is August 31.
The next State Commissioner’s Meeting at the ODA will be on November 10th at 10 am.
SCHEDULED GUEST: JULIE PARKER, DISTRICT CONSERVATIONIST, USDA/NRCS
Updates
MOTION Approved and signed conservation plans as presented. These plan awards will be given to Geauga County residents who applied, and were approved, for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQUIP) or Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). All the obligations for these two programs have been completed and the last of them for Geauga County residents were approved as follows:
EQUIP:
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2-Forrestry EQUIP applications from the Chardon area approved. They will be doing brush management & blue bird houses
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2 Flower or Vegetable Farms in Claridon to do things such as planting cover crops, pollination, mulching to increase soil fertility and installing high tunnels for wind breaks.
CSP:
Observer Note: There was another batch of Geauga County applicants approved at the July 2026 meeting, refer to the Observer Corps report for July 14, 2026 for additional information. To learn more about qualifying for these programs click EQUIP and CSP.
Ms. Parker advised that the office is still waiting for more information on the USDA staff reorganization. No specific information has been provided to employees. She did note that it's being reported that employees in Washington DC are being relocated to other cities around the country, but no information has been provided as of the meeting.
Observer Note: This Observer asked Ms. Parker if the federal government will be paying the moving/relocation costs for employees to move to another city and office. She said she did not know.
ELAINE MALKAMAKI, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Welcome Ms. Malkamaki is the newest employee to the GSWCD. She is in her second week on the job. The board welcomed her to the team. Reviewer Note: Ms. Malkamaki was previously employed by Geauga County as a Project Manager for Community and Economic Development.
KATIE WILLIAMS, CONSERVATION EDUCATION COORDINATOR
MOTION Approved - Purchase 700 “Right This Very Minute” books for 2027 Planting the Seed to Read program for $5,103.00.
Ms. Williams asked the board to approve and fund the Seed to Read Program again for the next school year. It was noted that Farm & Dairy just did a nice article on the program. She also passed around the poster that won the poster contest. Ms. Williams mentioned that the submissions have declined in numbers somewhat and noted that other counties no longer do the poster contest because they do not get any submissions.
LISA BERKHEIMER, CONSERVATION TECHNICIAN
Equine Pasture Walk Recap 23 participants completed the Equine Pasture Walk this past month. In addition to Ms. Berkheimer, who taught about Soil Sampling & Dry Lots, two Ohio State University (OSU) professors also participated. Dr. Matcham, OSU, taught on Grazing Sticks & Forage Calculations and Dr. Sara Mastellar (OSU) taught on Weed ID & Poisonous Plants. Ms. Shale advised the office made a lot of calls to get the word out about the program and everyone who participated raved about how great it was and asked when the next class would be.
COLLEEN SHARP, NATURAL RESOURCES TECHNICIAN
Stream Monitoring Update The Stream Monitoring Program had a small group of very inquisitive and interested teens this year. The program took place on Mr. Huntsberger’s property where a small steam running through his property was tested and found to have received the “highest score” for macro invertebrates in stream. Ms. Sharp said the group was great and that they also really enjoyed the walk Mr. Huntsberger took them on. Someone on the board asked if the kids were home schooled or public school students. Ms. Sharp advised this group was public school students. It was noted that this was the 26th year of this program.
GAIL PRUNTY, EDUCATION/COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
2026 Fair Overview & Schedule Three board members have signed up to help cover the GSWCD booth at the fair this year. Tickets were handed out to those who would be working it. Each board member was given a GSWCD Shirt to wear to public events to help promote the agency.
Native Plant Program Recap Ms. Prunty reported this program was well received, even though it was extremely hot. Participants received milkweed seed packets. There were over 70 people who registered for this event.
Amish Safety Day Recap There were 600 participants this year. Ms. Prunty put together a tick game for kids to learn how likely it would be to get a tick on them in different scenarios. It was a well-received event and their information table had a very long line waiting to interact with GSWCD.
2026 Rain Barrel Yard Art Campaign kickoff Decorated Rain Barrels were taken to the Chardon Art Festival this year and every barrel has received an opening bid at the event. To view the barrels and place an online bid see here. The barrels are currently on display in the Geauga County Building entrance area.
CARMELLA SHALE, DISTRICT DIRECTOR/ENGINEER
MOTIONS Approved:
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Credit Card Policy and Authorized Signature form – update with new employees
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Credit Card Compliance Officer appointment (Elaine Malkamaki)
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Designation of official signers of voucher/payroll for Geauga County Auditor
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Appointment of Sunshine Law Designee (Elaine Malkamaki)
State Match Policy Discussion The State Ohio Soil & Water Conservation Commission (OSWCC) is considering possible State match Policy Revisions, through the following areas: Matchability, Accountability, and Financial Status. They are proposing that if a district doesn’t submit paperwork for match by April 30th, there will be a 10% reduction with additional penalties the longer it is held. In the past, districts could submit later with no penalties. The State Soil & Water Commission has sent out a survey to each county office to make comments, rating on a scale of 1-5. The board was provided a copy of this survey prior to the meeting.
Ms. Shale advised that one of the changes OSWCC is proposing is that if a district is going to have a local appropriation of 5% or more, they want an explanation in advance so they could prepare. It was explained that there is one pot of money for all the Soil & Water districts and if one district has a much higher change in funds then the trickle down would mean that other districts will receive less money. This change is the OSWCC’s way of monitoring and planning the overall budget.
Ms. Shale advised that she would fill out the form with her recommendations and send it to the board for their review and approval. She highlighted one of the questions on the survey that gave her pause: “#7 The annual plan of work must incorporate OSWCC priorities outlining objectives and staff involved.” Ms. Shale contacted them to inquire what priorities they were referring to and they noted no specific priorities at this time. This concerned her as she didn’t believe that the district should agree to priorities they were not privy to prior to agreement. She noted that district Soil & Water offices were opened so that they could concentrate on the needs and priorities of the area, not on state initiatives that could have no bearing on the area they serve.
Ms. Shale, Ms. O’Neill and Mr. Huntsberger led a discussion on funding and potential changes in the future, including how Soil & Water districts will function if property taxes are abolished and their funds are zeroed out. During the last County Commissioner’s Meeting, Ms. Shale was asked by the Commissioners about the district relevance. She advised that although the GSWCD is not mandated by the county, the GSWCD is performing mandated duties for Commissioners mandated goals by the State.
NEXT BOARD MEETING: Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Meeting Adjourned-8:57 am
Observer Note: In review of their website, the fall fish sale orders are currently being taken online here. Orders due September 25th with fish pick up October 2nd, 9 am-10:30 am.
More information available here.
Observer: Wendy Landry
Editor: Gail Roussey
Reviewer: Rooney Moy
Date Submitted: August 11, 2026
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