GPH Receives $75,000 Additional Grant for
Financial Assistance for Septic Maintenance
Geauga Public Health (GPH) – January 28, 2026
Meeting Details: The GPH Board met in Regular Session at the Geauga County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Suite B167-168 (first floor), Chardon, OH, on January 28, 2026. The meeting began at 5:00 pm. This meeting is in person with no virtual viewing or video. The Agenda is posted on
the GPH Facebook page a few days prior to the meeting and then typically is posted on the GPH website. The Agenda can be found here.
Public Comment Policy: There is no separate written policy, but in practice “Citizens’ Remarks” are listed on the agenda and are permitted as detailed there.
Board Attendance:
Staff Attendance:
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Ron Graham, Lake and Geauga Health Commissioner (absent)
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Dan Lark, Director of Environmental Health
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Adam Litke, Administrator
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Katie Taylor, Finance Director
Others Present: Four members of the public, Geauga Maple Leaf reporter Allison Wilson, and this LWVG Observer were present.
Call to Order: Called to order at 5:00 pm.
Opening of Meeting - The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. A quorum was declared, as was a Certification of the Delivery of Official notices of meeting.
Minutes – Minutes of the Regular Meeting December 17, 2025, were approved unanimously. The minutes are available here.
Health District Staff Reports
Observer Note: These reports are available with the Agenda on the Geauga Public Health (GPH) website. See January Agenda here. Scroll through the Agenda to see the written reports.
There was a brief discussion about the rise in hospitalizations for flu and reported cases of strep and hand, foot, and mouth disease. Mr. Litke noted that, unlike during the milder winters of the past 10 years, this year’s colder weather has kept people inside, resulting in an increase in many communicable diseases.
Dr. Hendrickson commented on the large triangular traffic signs in the county with blinking yellow lights warning drivers about slow-moving vehicles (e.g. Amish buggies). He said the signs appear to be effective and wondered if GPH should investigate these types of safety measures. Mr. Litke said the Engineer’s Office is responsible for the signage. Mr. Litke also spoke about GPH’s ongoing outreach to the Amish community, held at different locations around the county, covering such safety issues as electric scooters. He said addressing safety concerns would likely require partnerships with local police departments and the Sheriff’s Office.
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Environmental Health Report – Mr. Lark announced that GPH had received extra grant funds from the EPA for the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) bringing their total to $75,000. WPCLF provides financial assistance to low-income residents. Dr. Jones said this was “quite an accomplishment” and that GPH could now advertise the fund and increase the number of people who apply for assistance for their septic systems. Mr. Litke applauded Mr. Lark’s and Environmental Health Supervisor Dan Sinclair’s efforts in getting the funds increased, noting they “did a lot of pushing to get that money.” Mr. Litke acknowledged that GPH had not been using the full amount of grant funds which had led to the reduction. He noted that the program is difficult to administer. He also pointed out that the money goes directly to the public, not to GPH. Observer Note: WPCLF is a separate program from GPH’s Service Assistance Fund (see Resolution 2025-39 below).
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Administrator’s Report - Mr. Litke reported he and Ms. Taylor are preparing the 2027 budget for the next Board meeting and did not anticipate any major changes. If approved by the Board, they will present the budget to the Health District Advisory Council (HDAC) at their meeting on March 11 at 7:00 pm at the County Office Building. Observer Note: The HDAC is made up of trustees of each of Geauga County’s 16 townships, a representative from each of the county’s three villages and Chardon City, and one Geauga County Commissioner.
Mr. Litke said the State Audit is almost done and he is not aware of any issues. He commented that the State is taking longer than usual, saying their audit is usually wrapped up by September.
Mr. Litke reported they continue to apply for grants and other revenue sources. He said the team is still working with one less full-time sanitarian and “making it work” through efficiencies and support from the new computer system. Mr. Litke said their goal is not to replace that position. He complimented Mr. Lark and his staff for “doing a fantastic job making that possible.”
Mrs. Roman asked if GPH is completely caught up on payments to Lake County (as part of the Cross-Jurisdictional Agreement). Mr. Litke said they were current and had only a few smaller, miscellaneous payments for “a couple of $1,000 total.”
Mr. Litke confirmed for Dr. Jones that past issues with the financial reports have been fixed and they are moving forward. He noted that the GPH credit card they now have makes separating expenses a lot easier.
Old Business
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Resolution 2025-39: Resolution of the Geauga Public Health Board of Health Setting Forth the Operation and Maintenance Program and Associated Service Assistance Fund, Third and Final Reading – Approved 4-0, with Dr. Jones abstaining.
This fund is intended for GPH’s local public assistance program for low-income residents. Observer Note: See the LWV Observer Report for the November 19, 2025 Geauga Public Health Meeting for more information.
Mr. Litke said he and Mrs. Roman worked together on revisions, most involving outdated or repetitive language. They also clarified procedures. He said they did not make substantial changes.
A key addition was language establishing an escalation process for handling issues, similar to bylaws used elsewhere, which had previously been missing. They also revised travel reimbursement guidelines that give the Board the ability to approve reimbursement. In addition, the formal review schedule for the bylaws was changed from one or two years to three. Mr. Litke noted that the Board could review or revise the bylaws sooner if they chose.
New Business
Dr. Jones commented that her one question about Cross Jurisdictional Agreement payments had been answered earlier.
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Permission to Submit NEHA-FDA Retail Flexible Funding Model Track 1 Development Base Grant, $5,000 - with Optional Add-On Grant, $7,500 – Approved unanimously
Mr. Lark explained that the $7,500 grant is for food staff training. He said it is also to pay GPH staff to evaluate and revise their food and safety programs to better align their policies and procedures with the national standards.
Dr. Jones asked if they have historically sought permission to submit for a grant. Mr. Litke said that it was a way to inform the Board about new or stand out grants they are applying for.
Mr. Lark said that this grant is the first step in the program and can open opportunities for additional funds up to $15,000-20,000.
Mr. Lark clarified that these are homeowners who have not taken any of the steps they’ve been asked to as part of the Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Program. Due to the homeowners’ inaction, GPH had to do the septic inspection themselves and found the systems are not functioning and are discharging untreated sewage.
During Mr. Lark’s explanation, an audience member questioned the wording/reading of the request. Mr. Litke asked the individual to wait to speak until Citizens’ Remarks.
Citizens’ Remarks
Before opening the floor to comments, Mr. Litke stated that to avoid confusion and prolonged back-and-forth, the public will be allowed to speak first and then responses will be given. If additional follow-up with the public is needed, it would occur after the meeting adjourned. He said that this approach is intended to prevent extended exchanges, maintain order, and avoid the perception that speakers are being cut off or denied their right to comment, while still ensuring their remarks are properly included in the meeting minutes. Observer Note: During Citizens’ Remarks at last month’s meeting, Mr. Lark and a resident (who was at this meeting) had an extended exchange about the O&M program and septic inspections.
A Geauga resident asked what the punitive charges are for homeowners producing untreated sewage and whether the penalties were resolving septic compliance issues. He questioned how GPH is measuring compliance, the number of septic systems in the county and the number that are non-compliant, including how many were on the legal action list mentioned above. He also inquired about the final deadline for septic compliance and assistance programs available for septic maintenance and repair.
A second individual asked what kind of public education GPH provides to residents about their septic systems.
Mr. Lark responded that last year GPH held almost 30 O&M public meetings during both afternoons and evenings at various locations. Mr. Litke stated that meetings are advertised in various ways, including on their Facebook page and personalized notices. He also said GPH also sends out educational material with all the results from any sampling they do.
The two residents raised concerns about the clarity of GPH mailers and lack of information about public meeting dates. Mr. Lark responded that he had not had that complaint from any other county resident. The first resident went on to criticize the lack of a solution for non-compliant residents and questioned the use of collected fees. The first resident said, “you’re racking up a bill for residents with no real solution…. You don’t have a solution in mind that puts them on a path to compliance.”
Mr. Litke stated that GPH has contacted the 6-7 people on the list numerous times to get them to fix their systems which are not operational.
Mr. Lark and the two residents agreed to continue the discussion and address concerns immediately after the meeting.
Executive Session – The Board adjourned to Executive Session to discuss matters related to personnel and compensation. No action followed the session, as confirmed by Mr. Litke via email.
Adjourned – The meeting adjourned at 5:42 pm following the Executive Session..
Next Regular Meeting: February 18, 2026, at 5:00 pm. All meetings are held at the Geauga County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Suite B 167-168, Chardon, OH.
Observer: Rooney Moy
Editor: Sarah McGlone
Reviewer: Gail Roussey
Submission Date: February 4, 2026
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