Commissioners Approve Letter of Support for
Possible Kent State Bachelor of Applied Studies
Board of County Commissioners Meeting - September 4, 2025
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met in Regular Session on Thursday, September 4, 2025 for a meeting at the Geauga County Office Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH. Meetings can be live streamed through the Geauga ADP Youtube channel. Recordings are available for the public. The September 4, 2025 meeting recording can be found here. As of this report’s publication date, this video has been viewed 164 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, and Finance Manager Adrian Gorton.
County Representatives: Frank Antenucci, Chief Deputy Administrator, ADP (Automatic Data Processing) and Zach McLeod, Director Department of Advanced Research and Cybersecurity, ADP; Austin Rice, Director, Emergency Management Agency; Jessica Boalt, Director, Office on Aging; Gina Hofstetter, Director, Community and Economic Development, and Jim Flaiz, County Prosecutor.
Others in Attendance: Susan Emmens, Associate Dean, Kent State University; Kathleen Hostutler, Human Resources; County residents Diane and Tom Jones; Anastasia Nicholas, Chagrin Valley Times journalist; Allison Wilson, Geauga Maple Leaf journalist; members of the public, and this observer.
4:50 Min. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a prayer was offered by Mr. Dvorak.
Minutes - No Minutes were submitted for approval. Observer Note: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for BOCC are available online through September 4, 2025 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through April 1, 2025. Reviewer Note: It is not known why the minutes are not being published, but it is not required that minutes be published, just that they be available.
5:21 Min. Administrator’s Report - Ms. Bevan reported on the following:
For Financials - Ms. Bevan reported the following:
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Approved an Appropriation transfer from the Engineer’s Office into their Road and Bridge Fund
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Approved a Supplemental from the Auditor’s fund to the general fund to increase the balances of their county real estate tax expense accounts to cover the charges for the second half of the 2025 tax collection and distribution
Financial Report - The following Financials were approved as discussed by Finance Manager Adrian Gorton:
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A supplemental Appropriation from the Commissioners to the building improvement fund to cover the incumbrance for the barn roof
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Cash transfer from the Board of Elections from their election revenue fund to the special election fund for monies that are being prepared to be sent back to the Secretary of State from the last special election.
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Voucher: $125,555.18 from the Engineer’s Department to Ronyak Paving for pay request Number One for the paving of Butternut Road
8:10 Min. Kent State University Associate Dean Susan Emmens discussed the university’s request for a letter of support for the proposed Bachelor of Applied Studies program in their Applied Organizational Leadership program. Ms. Emmens talked about this new program, which she said has not been approved yet by Kent State. She said that her purpose in asking for a letter of support is to demonstrate that there is community support for the idea. Mrs. Brakey asked a series of questions, as she didn’t understand if this would be accredited and who would want such a degree. Ms. Emmens said that the degree would be in addition to the normal BS (Bachelor of Science) or BA (Bachelor of Arts) and would only require 90 credit hours instead of 120 credit hours. It could be completed mostly online, which she said would benefit those who are working while attending college.
Ms. Emmens said that this degree has recently been approved by the accrediting group, The Higher Learning Commission.
Mr. Spidalieri asked for information about what elements of the core curriculum would be retained and also whether high school students could work toward their college requirements in this program. Ms. Emmens said that the program would work for high school students who currently get dual credit for college and high school. Observer Note: More information about the College Credit Plus program is available here. She also said that certain electives or courses not relevant to this degree would be eliminated.
Mrs. Brakey said that she did not have enough information to make a recommendation.
Motion to send a letter of support approved by Mr. Dvorak and Mr. Spidalieri. Mrs. Brakey voted no.
19:36 Min. The Automatic Data Processing (ADP) Board received approval to execute Resolution #25-175 to grant approval to the Geauga County Automatic Data Processing (ADP) Board to enter into an Agreement with the Township of Middlefield, Geauga County, Ohio to provide microfilming, automatic data processing or other imaging processing or electronic data processing or record keeping services, pursuant to O.R.C. 307.847(E). Mr. Antenucci explained that Middlefield Township has experienced a high-level cyber breach which will require ADP to provide help with all IT functions.
Mr. Antenucci said that they are also talking to Troy Township about an agreement. He said that Chester and Munson are the townships left for whom they don’t have agreements. He said that Chester Township had their own IT department. He mentioned that, due to a change in State law, all political subdivisions had to meet certain minimal changes. The law (HB96) goes into effect on September 30, 2025. Cities and counties need to have implemented the provisions by January 1, 2026, and townships and other entities need to do so by July 26, 2026. Observer Note: See the Auditor of State information page here for more information.
25:45 Min. The Department on Aging received approval to execute the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging Modification of 2025 Purchase of Service Agreement for Older Americans Act / Senior Community Services for an increase in the number of units for Transportation of 478 units which will result in a total increase from 3,350 units to 3,828 units. The unit cost will be $20.90 for an increase of $10,000.00 for the purchase of transportation vouchers for Adult Day Service Clients. The new total contract award will be $578,000.00. Ms. Boalt said this was a federal grant and also said that she is uncertain about the future of funding.
27:33 Min. The Emergency Management Agency (EMA) received approval for the following:
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To approve the revised job description for the position of Deputy Director (#1711) to be effective September 4, 2025.
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To grant permission to advertise for the position of Deputy Director (#1711). This position will remain posted until filled.
30 Min. Executive Session - At 9:55 am The Commissioners’ Office received approval to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the employment and compensation of a public employee. The Commissioners were joined by Ms. Bevan and Gina Hofstetter, Director, Community and Economic Development.
1:11 Min. Return from Executive Session at 10:27 am. Action reported was the hiring of a Public Relations Communications Intern.
1:12 Min. Executive Session - The Commissioners announced a last minute change to the Agenda with another Executive Session to discuss pending legal matters. Prosecutor Flaiz joined the Commissioners and Ms. Bevan at 10:38 am.
1:26 Min. Return from Executive Session - Mr. Dvorak stated there would be no action.
Board Discussion – Courthouse Walkthrough – September 16, 2025. Ms. Bevan said that the normal BOCC session will be held as usual, and then the Commissioners will reconvene at the Courthouse. Ms. Bevan said that she thought it would be good to open it up for Directors. Ms. Bevan said they were thinking they would reconvene at the Courthouse at about 11:30 am.
1:28 Min. Public Comment
Mrs. Diane Jones asked if a decision had been made regarding the plaque for the Courthouse Expansion Project. Ms. Bevan said that there had been no decision, but there were still alternatives for the Commissioners to consider. In the interim, she asked that $6,000 be removed from payment for the project, so there would be a $6,000 credit back to the project.
Ms. Anastasia Nicholas of the Chagrin Valley Times asked Mr. Spidalieri about a group that is (or will be) holding a signing event for the elimination of property taxes in Ohio at his Middlefield store, Great Lakes Outdoor Supply. Mr. Spidalieri said that they asked and he said okay. She then followed up with a question about his position regarding the petition for property tax reform. Mr. Spidalieri said he had no opinion except to leave it to the voters. Observer Note: There is currently a petition circulating to eliminate all property taxes in Ohio and place this question on the 2026 ballot. See the Citizens for Property Tax Reform website here.
A South Russell Village resident asked about signage for the New County Office Building. Ms. Bevan said they have been working on this. They added additional signs so there will be one at every road or entrance. The company installing these has to go through zoning, and then they will be printed and installed. Ms. Bevan said she hoped it would happen before winter.
Mrs. Brakey said that she thought the Geauga Fair went great, especially using Merchant Hall for Geauga County services. Mr. Dvorak said that they got a lot of positive feedback.
1:35 Min. Meeting adjourned at approximately 11:00 am.
Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: The next two Regular Meetings of the BOCC will be on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 and Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at 9:30 am at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH.
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor: Rooney Moy
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: September 8, 2025
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