Commissioners Recognize March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month; Technical Difficulties Mar Live Stream and Video of Meeting
Board of County Commissioners Meeting - March 3, 2026
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met in Regular Session on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 9:30 am 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 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 472 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 and February 19, 2026.
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.
Observer Note: Only those who could be verified independently are listed.
County Representatives: Geauga Developmental Disabilities (DD) Board President Dave Lair, DD Superintendent Don Rice, DD Assistant Superintendent Dave Carlson; Rob Weigle, Maintenance Director; Liz Ruvino, Contract Coordinator; Charles Tkach, Program Manager, Maintenance; Nick Gorris, Director, Water Resources.
Others in Attendance: Max Yost, Communications/Media Specialist; members of the press, and this Observer virtually.
Observer Note: The video of the Meeting starts as indicated below and continues for about 15 minutes until it stops. This Observer was attempting to attend virtually. Details in this report, other than those available in the video, have been verified by Commissioners’ staff or otherwise as noted in this report. Mr. Max Yost, the Commissioners' Communications/Media Specialist, indicated in correspondence to members of the press and this Observer that the problems with the video were with connectivity issues and not the recent turnover of video and livestream operations from ADP to Commissioners' staff.
(no video) Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer (Commissioner Dvorak)
(no video) Public Comment on Agenda Items - It has been verified that there were no comments at this point.
Minutes - No Minutes were submitted for approval. Observer Note: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for the BOCC are available online through March 3, 2026 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through October 28, 2025.
(no video) Report of Administrator, Amy Bevan: (information provided by Commissioners' staff)
-
Approved hiring for the position of Full-time Information and Referral Assistant (#1017) in Department on Aging to be effective March 30, 2026, at the rate of $18.11 per hour with a one-year probationary period.
-
Approved for Maintenance, hiring for the position of Administrative Coordinator (#1922) at the rate of $24.07 per hour (Grade 9, Step 3) to be effective March 9, 2026, with a one-year probationary period.
3:32 Min. Financial Report - Mr. Gorton received approval for the following: Observer Note: Video begins at this point in the meeting but is not complete.
-
Supplemental / Appropriation Transfers:
-
Supplemental appropriations in the General Fund to increase the Recorder’s other expense account and the payroll accounts of ADP for the records scanning project approved in session on February 19, 2026
-
Supplemental in the Senior Center Construction Fund Land Purchase account in preparation for an encumbrance
-
Cash Transfers: Cash Transfer from the General Fund to Soil & Water for their 2026 local match funding request
-
Encumbrances: Travel encumbrances from Job & Family Services to attend the Ohio Job and Family Services Directors' Association New Director Fiscal Orientation in Columbus, Ohio, and from the Veterans Service Commission to attend the Ohio State Association of Veterans Service Commissions Spring Conference and Training in Dublin, Ohio.
Observer Note: Video stops at this point and resumes with the Dog Warden. Information that follows was verified by Commissioners' staff.
(no video) The Board of Developmental Disabilities received approval to execute Resolution #26-039 Recognizing March 2026 as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. See information here about the recognition at the Commissioners’ Meeting.
(no video) The County Engineer’s Office received approval for the reduction of 33% to the maximum load limit permitted on all County and Township roads, effective March 3, 2026, in accordance with Section 5577.07 of the Ohio Revised Code. This reduction is necessary to minimize damage to the roads during periods of freeze/thaw and excessive moisture.
(no video) The Building Department received approval for the following:
-
To approve the Statement of Qualifications received for Master Plans Examiners and firm ranking for 1. Duber Architectural and Consulting Services, LLC, 2. Code Consultation and Plan Review Services, LLC and 3. Sixmo, and further grant the department the authorization to begin contract negotiations with the firms ranked to be the most qualified to provide the required professional services of plan review and examiner services.
-
To grant permission to advertise for Statement of Qualifications for Master Plans Examiner Services with responses due Friday, March 20, 2026, at 4:00 pm. Notice of this request for Statement of Qualifications will be advertised on March 5, 2026, March 12, 2026, and on the county website.
3:45 Min. The Dog Warden received approval for the following: Observer Note: Video starts again at this point, although the sound is choppy.
-
To revise the currently posted job description for the position of Part-time Shelter Attendant (1607-1) to the revised version, effective March 3, 2026. This position will remain posted until filled.
-
To approve the Re-Grade of the Deputy Dog Warden (1602) position from Grade 5 to Grade 8 and approve the revisions to the job description to better reflect the duties of the position, to be effective March 3, 2026.
-
To grant permission to advertise for the position of Deputy Dog Warden (1602). This position will remain posted until filled.
4:49 Min. The Maintenance Department received approval for the following:
-
To execute the service Contract Agreement with Aris Company DBA Munn Septic to perform pumping services, repairs, replacements and maintenance on grease traps and septic tanks in various locations per the Director for a three-year period in an amount not to exceed $15,000.00.
-
To execute the service Contract Agreement with Deandrade Landscape Design LTD DBA US Lawns of Cleveland East to perform lawn mowing, and landscaping services at various county locations, including the West Geauga Center per the Director for the period April 15, 2026 through October 31, 2027 in an amount not to exceed $60,000.00.
-
To advertise for Bids for the Geauga County Courthouse Annex Roof Upgrade Project to be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 2:30 pm. Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on March 6, 2026, March 13, 2026, and on the county website.
-
To waive the 200-hour vacation accrual maximum for the Fiscal and Budget Officer (1921) beginning February 15, 2026 (Payroll #26-05) through August 15, 2026 (Payroll #26-17). Mr Weigle said they are hoping to (hire and) train a new employee by August 2026.
7:08 Min. The Department of Water Resources received approval for the following:
-
To grant permission to advertise for Bids for the Services Center Water Treatment Facility Upgrade Project to be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 2:00 pm. Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on March 6, 2026, March 13, 2026, and on the county website.
-
To grant permission to advertise for Bids for the Merritt Road Sanitary Sewer Extension Project to be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 2:10 pm. Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on March 6, 2026, March 13, 2026, and on the county website.
-
To approve the 2026 Department Fee Table, to be effective April 1, 2026. Mr. Gorris said these are all “requested” services. The late fee would increase to 12.5%. Mr. Gorris said that the majority of counties are at 8% late fees. He said, “I wanted to get people to pay their bills.” He said that being a “revenue producing agency we want to make sure we are covering all our bases.” Mr. Gorris said that lab fees are going up about $2.00 as all costs have gone up and haven’t been updated in 7 or 8 years. Mrs. Brakey confirmed that, with the exception of the late fee, that this is “cost-recovery.” Mr. Gorris agreed and said that they will put the fee schedule “on an annual review.” He said that the review doesn’t mean that fees would automatically go up, but that they would evaluate them to ascertain if costs had gone up.
Observer Note: Video stops at this point and does not resume.
(no video) The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the following: (verified by Commissioners’ staff):
-
To execute a Letter of Support for Parkman Township’s grant application request for repairs to the Parkman Community House balcony and porch.
-
To execute a Letter of Support for the DDC Clinic for special needs children federal support through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for essential facility upgrades and critical capital equipment.
(no Video) Board Discussion – No items for discussion (verified by Commissioners’ staff).
(no video) Min Public Comment - Observer Note: The only thing this Observer could verify is that several people spoke.
(no video) Commissioners' Office received approval to move into Executive Session for the purpose of considering the purchase of property for public purposes.
(no video) Return from Executive Session with no action. (verified by Commissioners’ staff)
Meeting adjourned
Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: The next Regular Meeting of the BOCC will be on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH.
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor: Rooney Moy
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: March 7, 2026
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.