Skip to main content
League of Women Voters of Geauga

News / Articles

Geauga County Commissioners

LWV Geauga Observer Corps

                 

  

ADP Authorized to Implement Diligent™ Board Management Software Platform


Board of County Commissioners Meeting - July 8, 2025


Meeting Details:
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met in Regular Session on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 9:30 am for a meeting at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH.  Meetings can also be live streamed through the Geauga ADP Youtube channel. Recordings are available for the public. The July 8, 2025 meeting recording can be found here. As of the date of publication this video has been viewed 134 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 and revised on April 15, 2025.  Observer Note: The above link to the Policy does not have the revision, which was simply to change the time allowed for public comment from two minutes to three minutes.


Attendance
: Present were Commissioners Carolyn Brakey, James Dvorak and Ralph Spidalieri.  Also present were Commissioners’ Clerk Christine Blair, County Administrator Amy Bevan, Assistant County Administrator Linda Burhenne and Finance Manager Adrian Gorton.


County Representatives
: Frank Antenucci, Chief Deputy Administrator, ADP; Nicole Walker, Probation Office, Geauga County; Shane Hajjar, Deputy Engineer, Engineer’s Office; Jessica Boalt, Director, Department on Aging; Charles Tkatch, Program Manager; Maintenance; Nick Gorris, Director, Water Resources; Kris Carroll, Director, Geauga County Library; Kate Pitrone, Board Member, Geauga County Library; Craig Swenson, Director, Job and Family Services; Gina Hofstetter, Director, Community Development.


Others in Attendance
: Glen Vernick, Director, Maintenance; County residents Tom and Diane Jones, other members of the public and press, and this Observer.


5:09 Min. The Pledge of Allegiance
was recited and a prayer was offered by Commissioner Dvorak.

Minutes: Minutes from the meeting of May 29, 2025 were submitted and approved.  Observer Note: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for BOCC are available online through July 8, 2025 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through April 1, 2025.


Administrator’s Report -
Ms. Bevan presented the following:

  • Concurred with the Chester Township Trustees in not requesting a hearing for the liquor licenses requested  by Rupo Ramila LLC dba Lexico and Spence Petroleum dba Sunmark. Both are located on Mayfield Road.

  • Department on Aging - Approved the hiring of a full time transportation driver as well as the resignations of a part time adult day care service assistant and an information and referral assistant.

  • Maintenance - Accepted the resignation of a maintenance worker.

 8:29 Min Financial Report - Mr. Gorton received approval for the following:

  • Transfer from General Fund to Public Assistance for the July - Sept 2025 mandated share

  • Purchase Order from Commissioners to Laketran for a $14,000 grant payment that was erroneously sent to Geauga County and deposited into the General Fund

  • Travel for Public Defender

  • Vouchers:

    • $104,105.00 from Commissioners to Ravenwood Mental Health Treatment Center for third quarter youth center operations

    • $49,145.02 from Sheriff’s Office to Montrose Ford for a new truck

    • $85,767.30 from Sheriff’s Office to Preston Chevrolet for two new vehicles

    • $48,970.14 from Water Resources to Junction Auto for a new replacement vehicle

10:28 Min. The Commissioners’ Office received approval to execute Resolution #25-141 Adopting the 2026 Annual Tax Budget, in accordance with O.R.C. Sections 5705.28, and 5705.29.

Due to the uncertainty regarding state legislation, Mrs. Brakey inquired as to the timeline for making changes to the budget. Mr. Gorton stated that the Budget Commission has said that they will wait and see what happens before they begin analysis and that it will happen between August and October. They will evaluate and make a decision. She also inquired as to when to look at employee salary increases. Mr. Gorton said that this would be a good time to have those conversations with the different departments.


14:54 Min. Automatic Data Processing (ADP)
 - Mr. Antenucci received approval for the following:

  • To enter into an Agreement with the Legislative Authority of the Township of Montville, Geauga County, Ohio to provide microfilming, automatic data processing or other imaging processing or electronic data processing or record keeping services.

  • To enter into an Agreement with the Legislative Authority of the Township of Newbury, Geauga County, Ohio to provide microfilming, automatic data processing or other imaging processing or electronic data processing or record keeping services.

  • To reserve a license and place the Commissioners’ Office in the implementation queue for a future migration to the Diligent Community Board software platform. 

Mr. Antenucci explained that the Diligent Community Board software platform is used by many public entities, including the Kenston School Board. This was brought to his attention by Mrs. Brakey and the League of Women Voters of Geauga last year. This software will be web-based and streamline the public interaction with Boards.  It will allow for the public to view meeting minutes, agendas, videos and whatever else the Board would like to share with the community. Mr. Antenucci also stated that the process to implement this will take some time.


The Common Pleas Court Adult Probation
received approval to execute the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Community Corrections Grant Agreement, Community Corrections Act 2.0 Grant, Exhibit A and Targeted Community Alternatives to Prison (T-CAP) Grant, Exhibit B, for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027 in the amount of $530,227.00.


20:56 Min. The County Engineer’s Office
received approval for the following:

  • To execute the Unit Price Contract with Ronyak Paving, Incorporated for the Asphalt Resurfacing of Sperry Road (CH-0012, Sections B-G) in Newbury, Russell and Chester Townships in the amount of $1,220,100.00.

  • To execute the Unit Price Contract with Ronyak Paving, Incorporated for the Asphalt Resurfacing of Fairmount Road (CH-0016, Sections C-E) in Russell and Newbury Townships in the amount of $690,223.00.

The Department on Aging received approval for the release of the Bid / Performance Bonds for the following projects:

  • Home Care Services: Assist with Daily Living for Seniors Age 60 and over (2019)       

  • Cherished Companions, Qual Care, Hills at Home, Maple Grove Enterprise

  • Home Care Services: Assist with Daily Living for Seniors Age 60 and over (2021)

  • Cherished Companions, Qual Care, Hills at Home

  • Home Care Services: Assist with Daily Living for Seniors Age 60 and over (2022)

  • Cherished Companions, Qual Care, Hills at Home, Arcadia Home Care

  • Re-Bid: Elderly Nutrition Program – Catered Meals – Symba & Snap Gourmet (2022)

23:04 Min. The Maintenance Department received approval for the following: 

  • To award the Bid to GovTrust Partners LLC for the Geauga County Safety Center Visitation Room Alteration Project in the amount of $130,098.00 as they represented the lowest and best bid. Ms. Brakey voiced her concerns about the company being so new as it was just formed in February. Mr. Tkatch stated that the Maintenance Department also had some concerns and looked into the company as well as reaching out to the owner about their concerns. After getting background from the owner, Mr. Tkatch made contacts regarding several previous jobs done by the owner under a different company and became comfortable based on the information provided. There is a bond for this project to protect the County.

  • To execute Change Order #1 increasing the Agreement for Professional Design Services with Technical Assurance, Incorporated for additional engineering services related to the roof replacement and masonry restoration for the Geauga County Annex Building, located at 219 and 215 Main Street, Chardon, Ohio in the amount of $17,000.00 for a total not to exceed amount of $34,500.00.

  • To advertise for Bids for the County Maintenance Barn Roof Replacement Project to be held on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at 2:00 pm.  Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on July 11, 2025, July 18, 2025, and on the County website.

Department of Water Resources received approval for the following:

  • To authorize Ralph Spidalieri, authorized representative, to execute the Ohio Water Development Authority Fund Payment Request #3 for the McFarland Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements Project for technical services by HDR Engineering, Incorporated in the amount of $49,317.24.

  • To execute the Certification Request to County Auditor, Request to Board of Commissioners Quarterly Use of County Credit Cards, for an increase in the Quarterly and Annual amounts for the Home Depot Commercial Account.

31:38 Min. The Commissioners Office approved the following:

  • Execution of Resolution #25-144 Honoring Geauga County Job and Family Services on being named a Northeast Ohio Top Workplace for 2025.

  • To execute a nonbinding Letter of Intent with the Geauga County Public Library Board indicating the Commissioners’ desire to purchase and the Library Board’s desire to sell the Geauga County Public Library Administration Center Building. This will house the Department of Aging’s Chardon Senior Center. Reviewer Note: Read July 10, 2025 Press Release from Geauga County Public Library (GCPL) regarding this transaction. The GCPL administration ultimately will be consolidated into the new Chardon Library branch. 

  • To authorize the President of the Board to execute the Request for Partial Payment #21 for Infinity Construction Company, Incorporated for the Geauga County Courthouse Expansion GMP Phase #1 and Phase #2 expenses in the amount of $557,166.86.

  • To execute the service Contract Agreement with Kash Moving and Storage, to provide services related to the relocation of the Geauga County Board of Elections to the County office building, with the move to be completed within a six-month period, in an amount not to exceed $39,040.00.

 41:51 Min.Board Discussion – The Board discussed the following:

  • Opioid Settlement Funds - Mr. Dvorak, Prosecutor Flaiz, Ms. Burhenne and Christine Lakomiak (Director, Mental Health) met to discuss the Opioid Settlement Funds that are over $500,000. They are doing research with various departments and will present their results at the Commissioners’ meeting on July 22, 2025.

  • Community Improvement Corporation - Ms. Burhenne and Ms. Hofstetter presented information regarding the Community Development Corporation (CIC). Typically a CIC is used as a real estate development tool for the County. The CIC has not been managed for quite some time and lost its 501c status. The last transaction was in 2019. They are looking for some guidance on how to move forward. After discussion, the Board decided that it would be best to dissolve the CIC. Ms. Hofstetter will present a formal request at the next Commissioners’ meeting. Reviewer Note: See ORC 1724.01 -  Community Improvement Corporations here.

  • Infinity Change Request #26 and #27 - Ms. Burhenne described two potential change orders for the courthouse project. One was for additional Crestron video equipment as requested by the Prosecutor’s Office and the other for a different lower priced switch. The Commissioners instructed that these be combined into one formal change order from Infinity Construction for a net total of $11,000.

  • Bronze Plaque for the Courthouse addition - Ms. Burhenne presented a copy of the plaque that will be installed in the Courthouse addition. Mr. Spidalieri suggested that the name of former Commissioner Lennon be included with the names of the present board as he worked on the project. There was some discussion of whether or not to include the names of the companies that worked on the addition. Ms. Burhenne asked for any changes by next week.

  • Courthouse Roof - Ms. Burhenne presented an initial report from an engineer regarding an assessment of the roof on the existing Courthouse. She stated that the current recommendation seems to be to wait to replace the roof until the deteriorated brick and mortar beneath the roof can be addressed at the same time. She indicated this would be a big project. 

Public Comment: Solicited, but none offered.


Meeting adjourned at 10:23.


Information and Posted Minutes:
Available here.


Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC:
The next two Regular Meetings of the BOCC will be on Tuesday, July, 22, 2025 and Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 9:30 am at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH. Observer Note: The scheduled BOCC meeting for July 15, 2025 was cancelled. Notification of the cancellation was communicated via email from Ms. Blair.  


Observer: Mary Heintzelman

Editor: Sarah McGlone

Reviewer: Carol Benton


Date Submitted: July 18, 2025


The League of Women Voters Geauga is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. They do not support or oppose individual candidates or parties. Learn more about the LWVG at www.lwvgeauga.org.



League of Women Voters of Geauga

contact@lwvgeauga.org