Trustees Approve 2027 GCPL Budget
Geauga County Public Library (GCPL) Regular Board Meeting - June 16, 2026
Meeting: The GCPL Board met on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 4:00 pm at the Thompson Branch. This Board Meeting was in-person with a virtual attendance option. To access the virtual option see information here. The meeting was not recorded. Minutes of this meeting will be posted on the GCPL website after they are approved at the next Board meeting. This meeting consisted of a Budget Hearing, followed by a Regular Meeting.
Observer Note: Each member of the GCPL Board and Staff receives a copy of the meeting packet, as does this Observer. It is available upon request in accordance with Ohio public records law (ORC 149.43). The board discusses and votes on the information in the packet. This Observer Report is made up of decisions made at the board meeting and information taken from the board packet.
Public Comment: Permitted and included in the regular order of business per GCPL bylaws. Further clarified in Policy 215 - Public Participation at Board Meetings.
Board Attendance: President Crist Miller, Vice President Joshua Hutchinson, Secretary Kristen Brickman and Board Trustees Karen Delano, Kate Pitrone, and Paul Newman were present. Trustee Jake Yanchar was absent.
Library Staff Attendance:
Mary Balog, Thompson
Danielle Hollar, Bainbridge
Erika Noark, Geauga West
Rachael Hartman, Middlefield/Mobile Services
Nicole Burnside, HR
Denise Javins, Marketing
Marlene Pelyhes, Technical Services
Michael Pope, IT
Debbie Schrock, Development Coordinator
Observer Note: In the absence of Katy Farrell, Recording Secretary, Ms. Schrock took notes about the meeting.
Others in Attendance
There were two members of the public not identified and this LWVGeauga observer.
Budget Hearing
President Crist Miller called the Budget Hearing to order at 4:00 pm and roll call was taken.
The Agenda was approved.
Public Comments on the Proposed Budget for 2027. Mr. Miller asked for public comments on the proposed Budget. There were no comments.
Adjournment: The Budget Hearing was adjourned at 4:03 pm.
Regular Meeting
President Crist Miller called the Regular Meeting to order at 4:03 pm.
Minutes: Minutes of the May 19, 2026 Regular Board Meeting were approved as presented. Board minutes are available online. Click on the highlighted link for past meetings to access the minutes. The minutes are posted as soon as they are approved at the following month’s Board meeting.
Communications, as reviewed by Director Carroll:
Agenda: The agenda presented in the Board packet was approved.
Fiscal Officer’s Report - Ms. Havlin
APPROVAL received for May Disbursements and Gifts
Ms. Havlin also reported that
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The property and liability insurance policy details had not been received, so she said she is not asking for approval at this meeting.
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The date for the Budget Hearing with the Budget Commission is Tuesday, August 18th at 9 am.
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The 2024-25 audit is complete. She asked if anyone would like a post-audit conference and no one asked for a post-audit conference.
Director’s Report: Ms. Carroll reported on the following:
System Updates
Ms. Carroll said they have explored using Hambden Elementary (not in use by the Chardon District) for the Administrative team prior to being able to move into the new facility in Chardon. As stated in the Board packet: “I have been working with a local school district on possible use of space for June 2027 – June 2028 for our Admin team office and workspace after we vacate the current Admin Center. I am also looking at commercial office space so we can make an informed decision.”
Construction and Facilities Updates - Ms. Carroll said she met with West Geauga Schools regarding the well. Ms. Havlin said that there has been no documentation yet from West Geauga. Ms. Carroll said that the West Geauga Board meets June 22 and that they might get something after that. From the Board packet: “West Geauga School has approached the Library regarding a potential financial contribution toward its well project. While preliminary cost figures have been discussed, as of the time of this report, the Library has not received a formal funding request or supporting documentation. I expect that we will have that information for our July Board meeting.” Ms. Carroll said at the meeting that verbally they had requested $190,000, but nothing has been received in writing.
TECH SERVICES (as contained in the Board report):
“Technical Services implemented a new system to track database invoices and ensure timely
payment, including calendar reminders and a new BCA (Benefit Cost Analysis) report to support annual encumbrances and on-demand status checks.”
Marketing (as contained in the Board packet): “Digital engagement remained strong, with social media generating over 2,400 interactions and steady website traffic as patrons continued to rely on online channels for programs and services information.”
IT (as contained in the Board packet): “IT staff remain actively involved in planning the new Chardon Branch and Administrative Center, including review of IT space design. Support for system operations included troubleshooting server and software issues, resolving licensing gaps, replacing aging equipment, and coordinating repairs such as the Thompson pay station touchscreen.”
Development (as contained in the Board packet) “On May 21, Debbie Schrock attended a Memorial Day service hosted by University Hospitals in partnership with the Burton-Middlefield American Legion. The well-attended event brought together community members, hospital staff, and local veterans, highlighting the importance of community partnerships and honoring the significance of Memorial Day.
The Library is working with University Hospitals to establish a “Healing Through Reading Library” in the hospital’s main lobby. This initiative will provide patients, families, visitors, and staff with access to free books and audiobooks, supported by Library volunteers who will maintain and refresh the collection. This partnership extends the Library’s reach into the healthcare community while promoting literacy, comfort, and wellness.”
Assistant Director’s Report
Ms. Farrell was absent, so Ms. Carroll gave this report. She said that Summer Reading started June 1st. They had moved the Kickoff time up due to expected bad weather in the afternoon. 350 people attended.
Ms. Farrell’s Projects (as presented in the Board packet):
“Interim Manager at Chardon
May was my first full month as interim Manager at the Chardon Branch. During this time, I have
met with supervisors and staff, worked on the schedule and collection, participated in interviews
for Reference and Circulation Assistants, and worked on the public service desks. We plan to
post the Chardon Branch Manager position on July 6. Reviewer Note: See the May 19, 2026 Observer Report for discussion of transition of the Chardon branch manager.
Partnership with Ideastream
After Ideastream contacted GCPL about the Listen Engage Vote 2026 initiative, I met with Rachel Rood to suggest dates and locations to welcome reporters to the library. We decided on dates in June and July, with two events at Bainbridge and two at Middlefield. The team at Ideastream was interested in visiting Geauga County to hear what issues are motivating voters during the midterm elections.
SYSTEMWIDE PROJECTS
Summer Reading Program
The Summer Reading Kickoff was on Saturday, June 6. We had a great turnout, even with storms in the forecast! Attendees participated in a Rascal Scavenger Hunt, learned to square dance, took photos with President and Mary Todd Lincoln, did crafts, played games, and more. Two days before the event, we changed the time from 11-2 to 10-1 to try and avoid predicted storms. We luckily got through the event before the rain started and the time change didn’t have a detrimental effect on participation.
Summer Reading Outreach
The Youth Services teams across the system coordinate visits to or from local schools every year to promote the Summer Reading Program. Below are a few highlights from the branches. Bainbridge staff visited Timmons Elementary and Kenston Intermediate School to talk about our Summer Reading Program (SRP) and the opportunities that students have to enjoy library activities throughout the summer. The Youth Services staff interacted with more than 800 students, most of whom were engaged and excited about SRP.
Chardon Youth Services visited Park Elementary School (Kindergarten and First Grade) twice on 5/15 and returned on 5/19 to talk to the children in Second and Third Grades. We explained the reading logs, showed prizes, and encouraged the children to attend the Summer Reading Kickoff. Each teacher was given SRP bookmarks for their class. Visits to Munson Elementary were rescheduled multiple times and ultimately did not occur before the start of summer break. To supplement this, Alli created a guide for the school to email to families. It included a list of programs, a description of the SRP, information about the Summer Reading Kickoff, and a QR code to access programs online.
Geauga West staff visited Westwood and Lindsey Elementary Schools to promote the Summer Reading Program. Staff were able to meet with each class in grades K-5 to explain how the program works and fun programs going on all summer long. This was a new style of presenting at the schools and was a huge success.
Middlefield hosted eight school visits from Cardinal Elementary, with 405 children in attendance. Staff showed the children a video about the United States, did a fun dance together, and explained the summer reading logs and prizes. The kids then decorated a red, white, or blue star, which will be hung in the library during Summer Reading.”
Observer Note: The board packet also contains a report of activities from all branches and departments. This is under the heading of the Assistant Director’s Report.
The following is taken from the Board report:
“BAINBRIDGE
As the month ended, posters featuring “Ohioans Who Shaped America” were put up throughout the building to celebrate the America 250 theme. The posters were developed by local student, Alex Hauptman, who then printed them using the Large Format Printer. The branch hosted a Kenston Senior Mentorship Student, Kiera Caprette. Kiera has served for several years on the Bainbridge branch’s Teen Advisory Committee. By the end of the mentorship, Kiera expressed that librarianship had become a serious career possibility. These mentorships are very rewarding for every area of the branch as we have the opportunity to share our work and passion with curious students.
CHARDON
Jenny has been hosting Coloring Club for over eight years at the Chardon Branch. Interestingly, the last two months have seen the highest rate of participation ever! It’s always interesting to see what is popular with patrons and when. Chris Peace shared wonderful feedback from two patrons this month:
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Chris helped the first patron over the phone. After placing a hold, the patron said, “Thank you, this is the best library in the State!”
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At the circulation desk, Chris checked out several Mo Willems books for a young patron who had just moved with his family from Maryland. As they were leaving, the child said, “This is the best library in the world. They have LOTS of Mo Willems books.”
GEAUGA WEST
St. Anselm Kindergarten class visited Geauga West in May. The students were treated to a library themed storytime and a tour of the library. The team was very grateful for our student intern, Kyle Pudelski, who assisted in library decorating, program prep, and putting together summer reading prizes. Outreach patrons have started to acquire stamps on their reading maps. Thank you to Denise, for creating roadmap stickers for Outreach to participate in the Read Across America challenge. The list of America 250 recommended titles was printed and delivered to Outreach locations and has been helpful to patrons in picking their next read. Outreach patrons at Chardon Woods created an America 250 doodle that is currently hanging in the Bond Area at Geauga West.
MIDDLEFIELD
Adult and Youth Services teams embraced the Stars & Stories Summer Reading theme with a variety of National Park decorations throughout the building, in preparation for an upcoming program. Parks include Cuyahoga Valley (complete with train), Everglades, Glacier Bay, Grand Canyon, Great Sand Dunes, Great Smoky Mountains, Saguaro, and Yellowstone. There are some great photo ops for patrons! Circulation staff is prepping their front display, which will be “All-American Summer.”
Middlefield was happy to welcome Ashlee Lichtinger, previously an Adult Services Assistant at Chardon, as the system’s newest Public Services Assistant in May. Ashlee hit the ground running due to her experience and replaced 20 hours in the schedule due to Lori Pinkney’s retirement.
Staff received a sweet thank you note and a beautifully crafted picture from one of our young volunteers. In it, she said how much she loves the library and the staff. She noted that she is eagerly awaiting the 648 days until she is old enough to apply for a job here!
MOBILE SERVICES
May was the last month for two regular Fun Bus stops. Attendance was low at these stops, leading to the decision to cancel them. Each stop had only a few patrons regularly. We offered Home Delivery services for those families instead and were able to fit them into our regular routes.
Mobile Services asked young patrons to make a “Happy Birthday America” card in May to decorate the bookmobile for Summer Reading. 99 patrons returned their handmade birthday cards, and we drew 49 cards to win a chocolate bar. Now, the patrons have festive reminders about SRP! The team was delighted when Nichole Meyer, previously a Mobile Services Assistant, expressed an interest in becoming a Driver instead. Nichole started in her new role at the beginning of June, filling one of the open positions.
THOMPSON
Patrons have been taking advantage of the spring weather by participating in outdoor programs. Brit Townsend and Mary Balog partnered with Thompson Ledges Park to host a storytime at the park’s newly renovated nature center, followed by a guided nature walk. Robin Kuhlman has also launched her weekly “Messy Monday” program on the library’s back patio, with the first program teaching children to make bread dough in a bag.”
STATISTICS
May 2026 Statistics as stated in the Board packet:
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35,344 patrons served at the branches
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15,557 computer and wi-fi uses
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133 programs presented for 4,844 patrons
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9,001 reference interactions
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Total circulation of items: 239,347
Human Resources Report - Ms. Burnside received approval for personnel actions that were contained in the Board Packet. These were:.
“2 Promotions, 2 Terminations, 1 Retirement, and 3 New Hires”
Other updates were as follows:
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She and Debbie Schrock have updated the Volunteer Program with an on-line sign up, a volunteer handbook and volunteer training.
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They have received the updated costs for medical and dental. The costs for dental have decreased by 10% and the costs for medical have increased by 4.69%. Ms. Burnside said that these costs are still below market increases.
Observer Note: The host/local branch manager gives an oral report at the board meeting. This month that report was given by Mary Balog, Thompson Branch Manager
Local Manager’s Report - Mary Balog, Thompson Branch Manager, talked about their Summer program called, Messy Mondays. She mentioned that they do various “messy projects,” such as making bread in a bag, slinky painting, string art painting, and constructing sun catchers. She said they get about 25-30 kids from 10 am - noon. If there is rain, they do something less messy inside.
Another program mentioned was the once a month Scavenger Hunt, such as the recent one that was focused on what the settlers brought with them. They also had an outside Oregon Trail for Pioneer Day, with various stops and activities to give children a sense of what the wagon train was like.
Committee Reports
Budget Committee - Ms. Havlin said that the Budget Committee met and reviewed the 2027 Budget. Ms. Pitrone said that “We were swamped with numbers” but that Ms. Havlin had explained everything. The committee voted to recommend that the Budget be approved by the Board at this meeting.
Approval of 2027 Tax Budget:
Ms. Havlin reviewed highlights of the information contained in the Board packet.
Revenue: She said in terms of revenues, that since the Library receives funding from the State of Ohio (PLF - Public Library Fund) based on a line-item appropriation rather than a percent of the state’s General Revenue Fund, that revenue will not increase, unlike prior years.
General Fund estimated revenue and expenditures were discussed. Revenue from investment earnings is running higher than estimated but they are expecting that interest rates will fall at some point.
Salaries and benefits are the largest portion of the budget. General Fund projected carryover amounts are reasonable falling within the County Budget Commission members’ preferred percent of expenditures.
The highest expense item is Salaries and Benefits, with a 3% salary increase for all eligible employees. Medical expenses are expected to increase, but Dental insurance is expected to decrease.
General Fund Five-Year Outlook is for only 0.5% growth annually.
Key Takeaways:
The Library remains in a stable financial position, with spending aligned to revenue capacity.
Personnel and contracted services are the primary drivers of future cost increases.
Ms. Havlin concluded that the most significant concerns are the possible elimination of property taxes, as well as possible reduction in the Public Library Fund (PLF).
FUTURE BORROWING (This information was discussed briefly at the meeting, but the following is taken from the Board packet.)
“At the end of the design development phase of the construction process, the estimated cost of a new combined Chardon Branch and Administrative Center is $21,639,404. At the time of this report, the 450 Capital Improvement Bond Fund has a cash balance of $4,218,763, while the 460 Chardon Reserve Fund has a cash balance of $7,560,094. Additionally, the library will receive $3.2 million and from the sale of the Administrative Center and sale of the Chardon Branch building is estimated to be $1.2 million. The board has indicated that these funds should be receipted into the Chardon Reserve Fund. This leaves an additional $5 million to $6 million that would need to be financed to complete the project.
Public Library Fund Notes
To bridge the remaining funding gap, the Library Board has discussed utilizing Public Library Fund (PLF) notes. This financing option offers a low borrowing cost and does not require voter approval. PLF borrowing capacity is capped at 40% of the average of the previous two years’ PLF receipts. For GCPL, this debt service limit is approximately $1.4 million annually. The actual debt service payments will depend on the final amount borrowed, the bond term, and the prevailing interest rate at the time of issuance.”
Approved - The 2027 Tax Budget was approved unanimously
Unfinished Business - None
New Business - The following Resolutions were all approved:
A. Approval of Subcontractor Prequalification Criteria and Proposed Subcontractors - includes the pre-qualified criteria , and the list.
B. Approval of GMP (Guaranteed Maximum Price) #1 Early Site Package - This includes the guaranteed maximum of $2.76 Million for this portion of the project, authorizing the Library director to use legal counsel to negotiate changes and authorizes the Library director to sign change orders for less than $10,000.
C. Approval of HLM Property Management LLC proposal for Geauga West doors and floor. Ms. Carroll said that this would be for $36,870.
D. Approval of Rewrite of Operating Policy 510 Cyber Security. This rewrite was necessary due to changes in Ohio law that require implementation by July, 2026. Observer Note: See HB 96 information here.
E. Approval of Updates to the Bainbridge Organizational Chart PP 132. This will change the two 20-hour positions for Public Service positions into one full-time position.
Board Development - Ms. Carroll talked about a recent development with the Board of County Commissioners regarding their possible implementation of the expanded Homestead Rebate and Owner Occupied Tax Credit programs. Reviewer Note: See the May 28, 2026 County Commissioners LWVG Observer Report for details. She said that the Commissioners had not notified the Library that action was imminent, but that she had been alerted by members of School Boards, District Superintendents and others. Ms. Carroll said that if the Commissioners agreed to these “piggyback” provisions, the Library would lose $180,000. She said they are waiting for exact numbers from the Geauga County Auditor. She promised to keep the Board informed if she finds out that the Commissioners are going to take action.
Foundation - Ms. Schrock said that she has submitted a grant application to the Cleveland Foundation Lake Geauga Fund in support of the Chardon Library Capital Project. They received a request from Great Lakes Pediatric as well as University Hospital for books for their shelves, which have been provided.
FRIENDS COMMITTEE - As stated in the Board Packet:
“The Friends Committee hosted its Summer Reading Kick Off Book Sale on June 6th, welcoming 222 visitors throughout the event. Many attendees were families participating in the library's Summer Reading Rascal scavenger hunt, providing an excellent opportunity to introduce patrons to the fairgrounds book sale barn. The event generated $669 in proceeds, supporting ongoing library programming.”
Comments from the Public - There were no comments.
Executive Session - None
Meeting adjourned at approximately 4:27 pm.
Next Meeting: The next Regular Board meeting is July 21, 2026 at 4:00 pm at the Bainbridge Branch. See website for information on meeting dates and locations.
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor: Carol Benton
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: June 17, 2026
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