BOCC Votes 2-1 to Seat County Engineer on NOACA Board Instead of Commissioner Spidalieri and His Alternate Skip Claypool
Board of County Commissioners Meeting - January 22, 2026
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met in Regular Session on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 9:30 am for a meeting at the Geauga County Office Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH. The meeting was held on Thursday due to the Monday holiday. 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 628 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.
Attendance: Present were Commissioners Carolyn Brakey, James Dvorak and Ralph Spidalieri. Also present were Commissioners’ Clerk Christine Blair, County Administrator Amy Bevan, Deputy County Administrator Mark Jimison, and Finance Manager Adrian Gorton.
County Representatives: Ric Blamer, Airport Manager; Andrew Haupt, PE, PS, County Engineer; Nick Gorris, Director, Water Resources; Jessica Boalt, Director, Office on Aging; Dan Spada, Chief Building Official; Charles Tkach, Project Manager, Maintenance Department.
Others in Attendance: Melanie Blasko, Director, Lake-Geauga Recovery; Laura LaChapelle, Assistant County Prosecutor; Walter (Skip) Claypool, Metropolitan Housing Authority Board Member; Steve Oluic, President, Geauga Mental Health and Recovery Services Board; Gary Neola, former Planning Commission member; Jonathan Broadbent, Republican Central Committee member; Anastasia Nicholas, Chagrin Valley Times reporter; Allison Wilson, Geauga Maple Leaf reporter; Tom and Diane Jones; members of the public. This Observer attended virtually. Observer Note: There were numerous members of the public present; some identified in the public comment section of the meeting. See the video at the times noted. Those listed above either presently or in the past have served the County or one of its agencies. Others are identified by their resident address if they offered that information.
6:34 Min. Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer (Commissioner Dvorak)
7:26 Min. Public Comment on Agenda Items - Ms. Bevan noted that this would be comment on Agenda items and collected the list of those who signed in. Thirteen people spoke. Please see the video for more in depth information. Here are highlights of the comments:
Chesterland resident- “NOACA is not good for Geauga County. Your job is to spend tax money wisely. Geauga Planning Commission is asking your county to leave NOACA.” She asked “How much does it cost us and what do we get other than a bike trail?”
Steve Oluic - “I don't understand why, outside of personal vendettas and malice, the county would be abrogating its responsibilities and authority to a great degree to NOACA. I believe the resolution presented today to ratify article 4 of the NOACA bylaws is not a wise decision.” Mr. Oluic concluded:,“... yet our county officials are so willing to deliberately erode our county citizens' representation on the NOACA board. The status quo is not a tenable position any longer and let's hope for some good change in the future. Thank you.” Observer Note: Mr. Oluic is a candidate for County Commissioner against Mr. Dvorak in the May Primary. See Geauga Maple Leaf article on his campaign announcement here.
Newbury resident - She mentioned that in the 1980s she went to NOACA and helped to get funds for the library remodel in Chardon. She continued, ”Back then, that's what NOACA did. They approved things like library remodels. Now it's unrecognizable - public transit surveys and bike trails. Don't we have the expertise on our commission and our Geauga County government to manage our own money and approve projects ourselves?” Observer Note: In order to obtain transportation (roads and bridges) funds from ODOT (Ohio Department of Transportation) and through federal grants, counties are required to be enrolled in a metropolitan planning agency. See more information here.
Skip Claypool - “I have served (or attended) NOACA since about 2010…. I take away the time to sit down on those board meetings and it galls me to see what I see around that board in downtown and Cuyahoga County. I see very few people standing up for the citizens of their counties.” He went on to say, “I oppose this ratification, as will be no surprise to this board. I think there are legal issues with the amendment for article 9 and we'll see what the courts say about that in a week. Observer Note: See Geauga County Maple Leaf article here for information on Mr. Claypool’s lawsuit against Commissioner Brakey, Commissioner Dvorak, and NOACA. NOACA voted in favor of a change to Article 9; the Article IV changes required the approval of the Commissioners. See note further in this report.
Resident - “Skip has the facts and figures.” She talked about not being heard at NOACA meetings. She concluded, “It seems like we're not being heard. I don't know what we can do… you are elected officials by us. And we would expect that hopefully you're going to hear our voices.”
Jonathan Broadbent - “A Republic if you can keep it. That’s attributed to Benjamin Frankin.” He continued, “The waste, fraud, and abuse. The US taxpayers are now waking up to how everything to do with the loss of representative government replaced gradually over time and over decades with (the) administrative state- unelected, unreachable bureaucrats dictating every facet of life with ever growing tax bill expanding government.” Mr. Broadbent continued, “There is perhaps no better example than NOACA trying to take control of and dictate to five counties how we're to lead our lives. That is not a republic and is not representative government.”
Chesterland resident - “I agree with everything that everyone has said this morning…. Please do not ratify this garbage and work to get us out of NOACA. They're nothing but a Marxist organization.”
Chester Township resident - “I agree with everything everyone else has said and I think all I want to say is that Skip is the NOACA expert…. Carolyn, the first time I met you at a central committee meeting, you told me how much you don't like Skip. I would wish and pray that you don't make decisions based on your personalities and what you feel about somebody. Please do what's right for Geauga County. We want to keep it rural. We don't want a lot of the agendas that NOACA is trying to push towards us.”
Geauga County resident - “You were elected after expressing campaign promises to your constituents, which included working together respectfully with all factions of your party. Mr. Dvorak and Mrs. Brakey, I don't see that in your dealings during this month…Geauga County citizens wish to leave NOACA in the future. I oppose this ratification and I ask that you as commissioners not ratify the NOACA article 4. I would ask that you allow Mr. Spidalieri to once more be allowed to appoint Mr. Clayool as his alternate. Finally, I do not want a public transportation system from Cuyahoga or Lake to Geauga County as proposed by NOACA. Most Geauga County residents agree with me.”
Newbury resident - “Why are you allowing NOACA to make significant decisions on our behalf without any question and without any push back? And it feels like you are relinquishing our sovereignty to a foreign county, not us. I expect you as our commissioners to stand up for our county and to do what is best for us. I urge you to consider either leaving NOACA and aligning with similar counties and/or appointing an alternate who is knowledgeable about NOACA's policies and plans for us who will actively advocate effectively for our county.”
Gary Neola - South Russell - “I'm here to speak against the proposed amendment related to NOACA representation on today's agenda. This is not a routine procedural matter. It highlights a deeper and more serious issue, continued entanglement with an organization that no longer aligns with Geauga County.” He also said, “There is a better path forward: partnering with Lake County to form a new MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization - see note above) would restore focus on roads and bridges, allow us to compete in the correct funding categories, and return control to the communities paying into the system.“
Chardon resident - “... frankly I don't understand why we are even having this discussion about NOACA. The most basic tenant of American government is that it is of the people, by the people and for the people. The NOACA resolution, in fact, our very membership in NOACA, removes the power from Geauga County to make decisions for ourselves and spend our own tax dollars for the benefit of our own county. NOACA embodies taxation without representation, which goes against one of the tenets of our form of government.”
Bainbridge resident- “I agree with everything that's been said so far that we want out of this Marxist organization and that we want representative action in Geauga for Geauga's needs, for Geauga's growth.”
Minutes - No Minutes were submitted for approval. Observer Note: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for the BOCC are available online through January 22, 2026 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through September 24, 2025.
34:44 Min. Administrator’s Report - Ms. Bevan reported on the following actions she took on January 16:
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Approved not requiring a hearing for a liquor license in Parkman for Torres LLC - Tacos 422.
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Approved for Community and Economic Development the Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund semiannual report and the housing revolving loan fund program income report for the period of July 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025 and further authorized the electronic submission of these reports.
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Approved for JFS (Job and Family Services) a new hire of an accountant.
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Approved for Maintenance the hiring of an HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) technician.
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Approved for Water Resources the service contract agreement with Hershberger Roofing and Siding to perform roof, siding, and window repair services as needed at various locations within the department for a one-year period to be effective January 16, 2026 in the amount not to exceed $20,000.
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Approved for Water Resources a service contract with Comfort Systems repair HVAC, for one year not to exceed $3,000.
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Approved for Water Resources for Sunrise Springs Water Company to provide iron filter and water softener installations and required maintenance and filter replacements as needed at various locations for the department for a one-year period to be effective January 16, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $5,000.
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Approved for Water Resources a service contract agreement with National Pump and Process Incorporated to perform pump maintenance at various locations within the department for a one-year period to be effective January 16, 2026 in an amount not to exceed $5,000.
37:49 Min. Financial Report - Mr. Gorton received approval for the following financials:
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Appropriations and transfers to the Sheriff for miscellaneous refunds, reimbursement, and web checks that were deposited into the general fund.
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Transfer from Community Development in their brownfield remediation grant fund to move money into their project contracts account to reestablish the remainder of the 7145 Pine Street encumbrance.
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Supplemental in the Commissioners miscellaneous accounts for contingency operating transfers and levy reimbursement expenses.
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Supplemental in the senior center construction fund contract services account for an incumbrance to pay for the condenser replacement at the West Geauga Senior Center.
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Cash transfer from the general fund to the Board of DD (Developmental Disabilities) for gas well proceeds from October through December of 2025.
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Cash transfers to Community Development, Metzenbaum (Observer Note: Geauga Board of Developmental Disabilities is situated in the Metzenbaum Center and provides some direct services; other services are provided by partner groups and lessees such as the Metzenbaum Foundation- see website here), and Board of Elections for the fourth quarter 2025 interest transfer and from the Juvenile Probate Court to the unemployment compensation fund to pay for December unemployment charges.
Encumbrances
Vouchers
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$832,207 - Auditor’s ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) to Shook Construction Company for payments related to the McFarland Creek wastewater treatment plant upgrades.
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$104,105 - Commissioners to Ravenwood for first quarter expenses connected with the Youth Center.
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$144,357.80 - Engineers to Chemco USA for a new salt conveyer.
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$62,882.78 from Maintenance to Doosan Bobcat North America Incorporated for the purchase of a replacement skid steer loader. Mr. Gorton said that the old unit was going to be auctioned in the spring.
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$276,958.59 from Maintenance to Kenneth Rodik for the replacement of the county barn roof.
Mr. Gorton also received approval for the following:
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Accept from the Auditor’s Office the monthly Statement of County Finances filed by the County Auditor for the month of December 2025, pursuant to O.R.C. 319.35.
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Accept from the Treasurer’s Office the monthly Statement of County Finances filed by the County Treasurer for the month of December 2025, pursuant to O.R.C. 319.35.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the following:
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An encumbrance and expenditure to the Geauga County Agricultural Society, pursuant to O.R.C. 1711.15 and 1711.16 for the Year 2026 in the amount of $798.35 which is the total oil/gas well revenue received by the County through December 31, 2025, from a well located on the Geauga County Fairgrounds property. Mrs. Brakey asked if there was a contract for this, and Mr. Gorton said no. Mrs. Brakey then said that this might be something to look at if revenue becomes an issue.
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Authorization for the County Auditor to distribute the balance in the Domestic Violence Fund to WomenSafe, the local agency designated by the Commissioners to receive such monies. This allocation is to be paid pursuant to Section 3113.34 of the O.R.C. for the 2026 year, in the amount of $11,986.00.
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To execute the Request for Partial Payment #28 for Infinity Construction Company, Incorporated for the Geauga County Courthouse Expansion, GMP Phase #1 and Phase #2 partial release of retainage in the amount of $950,817.12. Mr. Gorton clarified that this was not a release of retainage, but just a regular pay request. Approved as amended. Mrs. Brakey noted that this included the Magistrate’s gates. She said she thought this would be paid from the Courthouse Improvement Fund. Mr. Gorton said he would find out. Mr. Dvorak agreed that the County was supposed to get reimbursed for these.
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To execute the revised Accounting Forms Authorization and Payroll Authorization Forms for the Department on Aging, Building, Commissioners’ Office, Community Development, Emergency Management Agency, Maintenance and the Department of Water Resources.
45:29 Min. The Airport Authority received approval for Reimbursement Request #7 for the Taxiway Extension Construction Project, specifically to Construct Parallel Taxiway A including Taxiway Connector A1 and A2 – Construction, Final Phase and Install Taxiway Edge Lights – Construction, Grant #3-39-0054- 028-2024 in the amount of $85,765.41 (FAA Share $75,958.37 (deducted overpayment from PR#6 of $1,230.50), ODOT Share $4,903.52 (includes $615.25 from PR#6) and Local County match share ($4,288.27).
50:57 Min. The County Engineer’s Office received approval to execute the Ohio Department of Transportation, Office of Technical Services 2025 County Highway System Mileage Certification of 234.696 miles. This includes a slight deduction of 0.061 miles from the 2024 mileage certification due to the realignment of Bainbridge Road.
Mrs. Brakey said, “This is unrelated to your Agenda item, but have you had an issue with salt storage?” Engineer Haupt said that Geauga is fine. He said the goal is to have roads passable for trucks and emergency vehicles and schools. He said, “I don't think it's that, there's no salt coming out of the ground. Everybody's using it at a rate that hasn't been probably seen in 10 years. Yeah, the past few years have been very easy on salt usage and everybody in general. So that's something I think it's a perspective. But you shouldn't be putting it down at an excessive rate and that's stewardship more than anything - environmental and cost base.” Mr. Spidalieri also mentioned that increasing salt storage has allowed the County to buy cheap and have it available.
50:49 Min. The Department on Aging received approval for the following:
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To execute the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging SFY 2025-2026 Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) Medicare Savings Programs, Low-Income Subsidy and Prescription Drug Assistance through the Aging Network, State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) and Aging and Disability Resources Centers Grant Agreement for the period September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026 in the amount of $6,235.21.
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To execute the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging Provider Agreement with Geauga County Department on Aging, Purchase of Service Agreement, State Fiscal Year 2026 Alzheimer’s Respite Funds for eligible Geauga County Seniors Aged 60 and older for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 in the amount of $52,179.00. Ms. Boalt said this supports adult day care.
52:40 Min. The Building Department received approval to advertise for Statement of Qualifications for Master Plan Examiner Services with responses due on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 4:00 pm. Notice of this request for Statement of Qualifications will be advertised on January 29, 2026, February 5, 2026, and on the county website for two-year contracts. Mrs. Brakey asked what the Examiners do. Mr. Spada said that the State of Ohio requires certifications and one of the requirements is for a plan review. He said that they can do residential in-house but that they don’t have anyone qualified to do commercial. He said that is usually done by architects. He said there are only 104 qualified in the state of Ohio but that there are currently 5 of them working in the County. He said they are looking for a 3-year contract this time.
54:51 Min. The Maintenance Department received approval to rescind the motion taken on October 28, 2025 to accept and approve the design firm rankings in compliance with O.R.C. (Ohio Revised Code) 153.69(A) and evaluation of Statement of Interest and Qualifications received for providing professional design and contract administration services for the expansion and renovation of the County’s Animal Shelter Kennels including TC Architects, Incorporated, LDA Architects, Incorporated and Verdantas, LLC and further select TC Architects, Incorporated as the most qualified firm to provide professional design and contract administration services, in accordance with O.R.C. 153.69(B) and authorize commencement of contract negotiations. Mr. Tkach said they are now looking at a more long term solution. He said that is the reason for rescinding it.
56:13 min. The Department of Water Resources received approval to execute the Certified List of Governing Body and Contact Persons regarding the Facility and Financial Information for the USDA Annual Reporting requirements.
Mr. Gorris said that they do this every year.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval to execute the Letter of Engagement – General Services with McDonald Hopkins, LLC for the Year 2026 in an amount not to exceed $25,000.00, unless prior approval of the Board. Ms. Bevan said this is “an opportunity as the board which I previously mentioned if you had any other firms you'd like me to explore.” She mentioned that the BOCC had previously approved a contract with Myers Roman for calendar year 2026. Mrs. Brakey asked if the prior contract with Dan Law was still active and Ms. Bevan said it was not.
58:15 Min. The Commissioners’ Office requested the Board approve and execute Resolution #26-008 to Ratify an Amendment to Article IV, Section 4.2 to the Code of Regulations of the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA). Observer Note: Article IV ratifies action by the NOACA Board to permit Commissioners to choose their representatives, following the acceptable criteria (either elected official or within certain areas of service). See NOACA agenda here. That same link describes how changes to Article IX would permit counties to make changes to their representation by vote of the individual county and dispenses with the requirement that all five counties agree to changes for each county. Article IV changes the membership to elected officials or: “Board members who do not hold an elected position, shall hold positions in areas concerned with transportation, environmental planning, land use planning, and economic development.” Public comments addressed both sections.
Mrs. Brakey spoke about NOACA, “... I think fairly, that it's a board of unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats. And so these changes give Geauga more autonomy regarding our seats and kind of put more pressure on including elected officials in those seats.”
Mr. Spidalieri responded, “I've been a commissioner now 14 years and I have engaged with Skip for a large amount of those years…When Skip was a commissioner, obviously he represented himself as a commissioner there. When Skip was no longer a commissioner, we always had a position that one of the commissioners - myself or Tim Lennon, assigned him as our representative…many people have tried to criticize me for not attending meetings and not being able to do this or not able to do that as far as NOACA is concerned or planning commission, but at the end of the day, I was elected by the people with a plan as I campaigned to be accountable to the people. And my position always was to create a representative in those positions that educated themselves, looked at the views that I also had and always operated in what I felt was the best position for the county.” With regard to Mr. Claypool, he said, “He’s never failed this county once to be able to represent and serve and always asks the hard questions.” He also thanked all the people who came to the meeting.
104 Min. The Resolution passed 2-1, with Mr. Spidalieri voting no. There was an audible response from members of the public of “Shame on you.”
104:20 A Letter to the Planning Commission regarding the attendance of a Planning Commission member at meetings was approved. Reviewer Note: See the LWVG Observer Report on the January 13, 2026 BOCC meeting for more information.
104:49 Min. Mr. Spidalieri interrupted the discussion of this letter to ask about NOACA, saying, “before we go forward with this, I have a couple of questions. So what exactly is the layout of the board going to be now with this?”
Mrs. Brakey said that the Commissioners have three appointees but with a preference for elected officials. Mr. Spidalieri then said, “I’m going to move to put Skip Claypool as my alternate.”
Mrs. Brakey said, “First you have to make a motion to put yourself on.…” She continued, “As I read the bylaws, he is not an elected official and he does not hold an appointed position in one of those enumerated categories. So I don't think he's an appropriate choice.”
Mrs. Brakey then made a motion that “Commissioner Dvorak and myself hold two of the seats as well as our county engineer holds the third.“
Mr. Spidalieri asked, “I will have the ability to have an alternate?”
Mrs. Brakey answered, “You would not have a seat if my motion passes.”
Motion passed, with Mr. Spidalieri voting no.
There were boos from the public.
Mrs. Brakey then said that they should pick their alternates. She asked the Engineer who he would like as his alternate, and he named Traci Salkiewicz (Chief Deputy Engineer).
Mr. Dvorak chose Nick Gorris (Director Water Resources).
Mrs. Brakey said that her alternate could be Mr. Spidalieri. He indicated no and then said, “I’m the elected commissioner of this county. I think that what you guys have done today is absolutely disgusting and wrong. And I can tell you that I personally will start to look into some options also, because the people that are sitting here whether they voted for me or not are entrusting me to do the right thing and to represent them. And what you two have done is basically removed my ability to have the right representation of my belief….”
Mrs. Brakey then said her alternate would be Shane Hajjar (Deputy Design/Planning Engineer).
Alternates were approved, with Mr. Spidalieri voting no.
1:10:57 Min. Village of Middlefield - Ms. Blair discussed this. She said that the Village of Middlefield is considering five individual TIF (Tax Incentive Funding) districts and that the BOCC has to vote on this. Ms. Blair gave the information to Assistant Prosecutor Laura LaChapelle who reviewed it. Ms. LaChapelle said that it looks like it involves about $80 Million; Ms. Blair said that within 30 days the Board has to pass a resolution as to whether they agree. Ms. Blair further said that it would be a 100% tax exemption for a period of up to 30 years.
Ms. Blair said they are looking for a discussion as to what the BOCC is in favor of or against. Mr. Dvorak said that a few years ago Chardon City approached them for TIF for a housing development. He said that Prosecutor Flaiz negotiated and ended up with half what was requested. Mr. Dvorak said he wanted to do that. Mr. Dvorak said that in order to negotiate they have to first object.
Motion to Object passed unanimously.
Lake-Geauga Recovery - Melanie Blasko, President and CEO of Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers, said she was representing Christine Lakomiak, Director of Geauga County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board. Ms. Blasko said that the One Ohio Foundation Region 13 had awarded them a grant for $300,000 for a recovery house. She said they have been challenged by cost and supply but they have found a house that is perfect for them. She said they did make an offer, but that the cost (if approved) will be $350,000. She said that Ms. Lakomiak mentioned the Opioid Fund as a possible source for the funding they need. Mrs. Brakey responded that they are going to be putting out an RFP (Request for Proposals) for $100,000 from their Opioid Fund and that Lake-Geauga should respond.
Mr. Dvorak said he was in favor of it, and Mrs. Brakey reiterated that they needed proposals but that it was within what had been allocated.
1:17:31 Min. Public Comment Observer Note: Please see the video for complete comments.
Mr. Claypool - “The public now knows who you represent. It is not Geauga County. It is the special interests in Cuyahoga County. And so, thank you for revealing that. So, now we all know where you stand. In addition to that, I'm going to suggest that you confer with your council because the process you just followed to remove a fellow commissioner, I believe, creates a legal situation for yourselves. And so, I'm going to check that myself when I go and when I leave this meeting. But you, I'm going to suggest to you for your own protection…” He also said, “And so I'm saddened to hear what I got to see, but the public gets to weigh this and there's going to be an election coming up in May and one of the candidates is sitting here in this audience. And so I hope that the public weighs what just occurred in their choice of the next county commissioner.”
South Russell resident: And I want to say that on January 22, 2026, Commissioner Brakey and Commissioner Dvorak seceded our autonomy in Geauga County to Cuyahoga County. It's not appreciated and I pray that we get different representation.” (Individual pointed at Mr. Oluic.)
Chesterland resident - “NOACA is trying to extend Cuyahoga into Geauga…I am very disappointed in both Carolyn and Jim.” (Mrs. Brakey and Mr. Dvorak)
Chester Township resident - “I have two questions that I'm hoping this is appropriate for discussion or at least to get a response, but I'm not sure I understand why you voted for this and also how do we get out of NOACA?”
Resident - “You're choosing alternates that we don't know and we did not elect. So that's my question. How can that be done? We didn't elect these people that you've just chosen.“
Washington State resident who states she grew up in Chardon - “You didn't listen to any of the public comments here but a lot of the stuff was related to NOACA. You're following their agenda and the plans of the big state rather than the plans of the people and I find that awful. You stand before God in what you did today. There's judgment later and maybe hopefully judgment at the election time.“
Newbury resident - “I don't know what we're doing in NOACA. I know we've been in it for a long time, but I think things have changed. And I would expect our Commissioners to support us as members of Geauga County, as residents, to look to what we want. We want our tax dollars to stay here. We want the projects here to move forward. I don't want my monies going to Cuyahoga County. We're the little guy in that big NOACA. And I would hope that you would work to get us out. Thank you.”
Mr. Neola - “When I was on the Planning Commission we prepared a letter outlining how we could instruct our Commissioners to remove ourselves from NOACA; how to take steps to form an MPO with Lake County. We never got a response to that letter yet from the planning from the Commissioners. Whether we ever do or not I don't know. I'm not on the Planning Commission anymore, so I don't know. When it comes, it comes. Outside of all that, Ralph, thank you. Thank you for standing strong because you're the only one that's got a backbone. Thank you.”
Newbury resident - “Thank you for your service to Geauga County. Thank you Carolyn for explaining why you voted the way you did about the ratification. I'm so glad we can ask questions. I really appreciate that. Mr. Dvorak, I haven't heard from you. We haven't heard from you why you voted as you did and I would love to understand…. So, I want to give you the benefit of the doubt and just understand your perspective on why you voted the way you did.”
1:27:20 Min. Mr. Dvorak offered a long explanation regarding his qualifications to be on NOACA and the superior qualifications of the elected Engineer, Mr. Haupt. He also mentioned several projects funded by NOACA including one to Water Resources for $29,000. He said the County pays dues of $39,000 and receives back funding for projects of over $0.5 Million Other projects he mentioned were:
Observer Note: Funding for roads and bridges is complicated. See the ODOT website for a list of funding sources and Geauga County projects. Also see NOACA project list here.
Mr. Spidalieri then commented: “I could kind of clarify and debunk the sugar coating that you just heard. I think that Andy Haupt as our engineer is excellent and he has incredible skill, knowledge and background and is more than capable of being able to do that. But let me clarify if that's how Commissioner Dvorak felt, he could have put Andy Haupt as our Engineer as his alternate and he would have been a voting member in NOACA anyways and I could have continued to keep my seat and my position also.”
Mrs. Brakey then spoke, “I think it's important to note too that the NOACA Board of Directors overwhelmingly approved these bylaw changes…. “It wasn't just the city of Cleveland. It just wasn't just Cuyahoga. It was Lorain County. It was Medina County. It was Lake County. It was all the counties overwhelmingly approving the changes. I think the one change, there were only two people that objected and one of which was Mr. Clayool.”
Mr. Dvorak added, “I think at that special meeting everybody was heard. Medina gave their rendition of how important it was to have their engineer as their voting member and then Lorain County got what they wanted. So there was a lot of it. There was supposed to be a meeting from 10:00 to 11:30 and we got the meeting over like at 20 after 12 but everybody got to talk, amendments were made, we voted on it and… at the end everybody got what they wanted.”
Resident: “I just wanted to say I heard you guys say that all these other counties voted for this ratification, but didn't our own Planning Commission, Geauga residents, ask you to vote against it? “
Mr. Broadbent - “I’m concerned when we focus on comments of what Dvorak said, How much are we paying and how much are we getting back?” He went on to say, “And I think in the scheme of things, this sum is extraordinarily not in favor of Geauga County or our residents.” He also stated that, “Everyone I talk to in Geauga County is completely and thoroughly opposed to NOACA.”
Resident - “It’s what we put in and what we get back are two different things”
Mr. Oluic - “I'm really disturbed by a couple things I heard here today and what I saw and witnessed. We talk about credentials. You better be careful about credentials. Credentials are not a measure of character or doing the right thing.” He also said, “These people took time out of the day to come here and express their concerns and let's hope we have change coming up.”
Newbury resident - “I just have a feeling like this was already predetermined that all of our comments and probably most of the meetings are not this well attended on one subject. You can tell how passionate we are on it and how concerned. I feel so unheard and un-watched over as a Geauga County resident. You were entrusted in a position, but yet you had a plan and it was already implemented and you just wait for the agenda item. This was already set up.”
Unidentified woman: “Mrs. Brakey, in your campaign promises, did you say that you would work together respectfully with all factions of the GOP?”
Mrs. Brakey answered, “Yes.”
Mrs. Brakey continued, discussing the Planning Commission letter. “So, regarding the Planning Commission letter, I mean, one suggestion they put in there that I think is is fair is they suggested hiring an outside consultant to look at what this would look like leaving NOACA, how you know those questions about what's coming in, what's going out, and… make a business case for the county… I'm in favor of that. My only concern is that whatever that consultant says these folks in the room may not be happy with it one way or the other. So I just don't want to waste taxpayer dollars. But if that's something folks are interested in, I think I'd be interested in hearing that feedback.”
Ms. Bevan agreed they could revisit the letter that was submitted to the Board from the Planning Commission.
1:39:20 Min. Executive Session began at 11:04 am. The Department of Job and Family Services requested the Board move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the employment of a public employee, pursuant to O.R.C. 121.22 (G)(1). The Commissioners were joined by Craig Swenson, Executive Director of JFS, Ms. Bevan, Mr. Jimison and Paul Ryman from JFS.
1:57:33 Min. Return from Executive Session at 11:21 am with actions as reported by Mr. Swenson and Mr. Ryman: The action was an involuntary disability separation.
Meeting adjourned at about 11:23 am.
Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: The next Regular Meeting of the BOCC will be on Tuesday January 27, 2026 at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH.
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor: Rooney Moy
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: January 26, 2026
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