BOCC Authorizes Update to 2023 Appraisal of 470 Center St. to Prepare to Sell;
Community and Economic Development Planning Process Described
Board of County Commissioners Meeting - September 10, 2026
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met in Regular Session on Thursday, September 10, 2026 at 9:30 am for a meeting at the Geauga County Office Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH. This meeting was moved from Tuesday due to the Labor Day 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 video for this meeting can be found here. As of this report’s publication date, the video has been viewed 305 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.
County Representatives: Jessica Boalt, Director, Office on Aging; Michelle Warren, In-Home Services Manager, Office on Aging; Craig Swenson, Executive Director, Job and Family Services (JFS); Gina Schultz, Social Service Director, JFS; Charles Tkach, Program Manager, Maintenance; Nick Gorris, Director, Water Resources; Benefits Specialist Megan Erickson; Gina Hofstetter, Director, Community and Economic Development.
Others in Attendance: Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand; Chief Deputy Sheriff Thomas Rowan; Rob Weigle, Director, Maintenance; members of the public, Geauga Maple Leaf reporter Allison Wilson; and this Observer from the League of Women Voters of Geauga.
1:30 Min. Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer - Commissioner Dvorak
3:52 Min. Public Comment on an Agenda Item - No public comment
County Administrator’s Report - Ms. Bevan approved a voucher for $383.95 from Job and Family Services to Xerox Corporation for copy release payments from August to September that are being paid now to avoid a late charge.
4:26 Min. Minutes - Minutes were approved for the work session of April 2, 2026. Observer Note: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for the BOCC are available online through September 10, 2026 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through March 10, 2026.
The Department of Job and Family Services received approval for a waiver of policy and approval of the full reimbursement for Alyssa Forman for payment to Ken’s Auto Service for emergency client assistance in the amount of $1,063.80. This amount includes $78.80 in sales tax. Mr. Swenson and Ms. Schultz said that this purchase was for a client and that an employee had to use her own credit card/cash for the purchase. There was a discussion of the process JFS is engaged in to get a credit card that would be available to workers. Mr. Swenson said that the Prosecutor had been reviewing it and that Ms. Bevan can sign the agreement but first the Commissioners need to approve of having Ms. Bevan sign it. It was decided that this should be on the agenda at a future meeting.
8:45 Min. Report of Financials - County Finance Manager Adrian Gorton received approval for the following:
-
Supplemental appropriations
-
from the Emergency Management Agency to true up pay payroll to current amounts as well as electric services and dues licenses and subscriptions.
-
from the Auditor in their general fund county real estate tax expenses account to true up with the second half property tax collection.
-
Cash transfer from Water Resources from their sewer and water operating funds to their sewer and water debt retirement fund for upcoming debt payments.
-
Incumbrances include travel requests from Job and Family Services to attend the 2026 Ohio Family and Children's First Association Conference in Columbus, Ohio, and from the Probate Court to attend the 2026 Ohio Association of Probate Judges Court Investigators Training Conference in Dublin, Ohio.
-
Vouchers
-
$691,345.70 from the Engineer's Office to Ronyak Paving Incorporated for payment application number one of the asphalt resurfacing of Auburn and Thwing.
-
$32,166.90 from the Prosecutor's Office to Millstone Management Group for the final payment on their office renovations.
-
Revenue certification from the Sheriff's Office and their law enforcement block grant fund for additional revenue to be received in 2026.
10:34 Min. The Department on Aging received approval for the following:
-
to execute the Certification Request to County Auditor Request to Board of Commissioners Quarterly Use of County Credit Cards, increasing the Centerra Co-op credit card and decreasing the Wright Express (WEX) for Quarters 2, 3 and 4, due to fuel pricing.
-
to advertise for Bids for Home Care Services: Assistance with Daily Living Program, according to federal guidelines for Geauga County Residents, Age 60 and over to be held on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on September 17, 2026, September 24, 2026 (Maple Leaf) and on the County website.
-
to advertise for Bids for the Elderly Nutrition Program, Preparation and Delivery of Catered Meals, according to federal guidelines for Geauga County residents Age 60 and over to be held on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 2:15 p.m. Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on September 17, 2026, September 24, 2026 (Maple Leaf and Cleveland Plain Dealer) and on the County website. Ms. Boalt reminded the Board that there is a potential issue that she had raised with the Board at a prior meeting regarding insurance coverage provided by agencies that offer these services. She said that the bid specifications did not prohibit bids if the agencies could not offer the coverage desired by the County, but that they can evaluate this when the bids come in.
Ms. Boalt said that they served meals to over 400 seniors at the Geauga Fair.
Ms. Schultz described the program for Home Care Services: Assistance with Daily Living. She said “the assistance with daily living program, it is a home health aid that would be in the home twice a week for two hours each time for personal care. So they have to accept some sort of bathing assistance - a sponge bath, hair wash, whatever that is. Once they're done with the personal care, then the caregiver can run errands, do light housekeeping, run the vacuum, things like that, but they do have to accept personal care because we do have a very lengthy wait list for that program. We contract with three different agencies right now. Obviously pretty soon that might change. But right now we're using Cherish Companions, Home Instead, and Ohmen Family Living at Home. Based on the senior's income, it could be a free program for them. If they're over the income guideline, they're paying eight dollars ($8) an hour compared to most of these agencies who want $32 -$36 an hour.”
Mrs. Brakey asked if this was levy funded, and Ms. Boalt said that this program and the meal program are both levy funded.
17:35 Min. The Maintenance Department received approval for the following:
-
to advertise for Bids for the Geauga County Patterson Center Accessibility Lift Upgrade and Renovation Project to be held on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on September 18, 2026, September 25, 2026 (News-Herald) and on the county website.
-
to execute the service Contract Agreement with 12C Technologies LTD to provide and install an Axis A4030-E card reader for the Geauga County Title Office per the Director to be effective September 10, 2026 and work completed within ninety days in an amount not to exceed $1,882.00. Mr. Weigle said that this is required for security and safety so that employees can exit without using a key, but that a key would be required to enter.
20:20 Min. The Department of Water Resources received approval for Contract Change Order #3, increasing the Contract with Shook Construction Company for the McFarland Creek Wastewater Treatment Plan Improvement Project in the amount of $390,629.24 and further authorize Ralph Spidalieri, authorized representative, to execute the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) and Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA) Contract Change Order Form.
Mr. Gorris reviewed the items that had to be added to the original contract: $120,000 to add a retention pond and $130,000 to comply with Geauga Soil and Water requirements (since it is near the Aurora Branch of the Chagrin River, pipe routing, asbestos removal and remediation, generator disconnect switch and other incidentals.)
Mr. Gorris said, “a reminder that our contract was a $31 million contract. This change order will take us up to an increase in the total contract of about 2 and a half - 2.6%. So, we're underneath that 10%. No plan to use it up. But we also, if you remember, the agreement we signed with WPCLF had a $3 million contingency already built into the project. So we're not actually increasing the dollar amount, but we're not asking for additional monies because we already have it accounted for in contingency plans.”
The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the following:
-
to execute the Agreement between the Geauga County Board of Commissioners and Racek and Associates, LLC for Fair Market Value Appraisal Services to Geauga County for property located at 470 Center Street, Chardon (Parcels #10-709580, 10-709581, and 10-709622) in an amount not to exceed $2,850.00.
Ms. Bevan said that this would be a smaller re-appraisal since they had done a full appraisal in 2023. She said that they hope to get the property on the market by the end of the year.
Ms. Blair said that there will be a ceremony on the lawn facing Short Court St. in Chardon at 8:30 am on September 11th. Ms. Bevan thanked the City of Chardon for their cooperation in logistics and planning.
27:32 Min. Board Discussion
There was a discussion as to whether the Commissioners should come as a Board to the next Budget Commission meeting on September 14. Mr. Dvorak said he would attend. Observer Note: The County’s budget has not yet been approved by the Budget Commission. It was tabled on August 10 and 25th. See LWVG Report, pages 31 and 63 and pages following.
-
JFS Credit Card - Mr. Spidalieri asked if they should take action regarding the JFS credit card. Mrs. Brakey said they would need to see the agreement first.
-
Geauga County Fair - Mrs. Brakey thanked the staff who attended the Fair and for Ms. Blair in particular, for her great job in setting everything up this year with the America 250 theme.
31:17 Min. Public Comment - A man from South Russell spoke about the importance of remembering 9/11.
Executive Session The Commissioners’ Office received approval to move into Executive Session at 10:04 am for the purpose of discussing the compensation of public employees, pursuant to O.R.C. 121.22 (G)(1). They were joined by Benefits Specialist Megan Erickson, Mr. Jimison and Ms. Bevan.
57:51 Min. Return from Executive Session at 10:26 am
Prescription and Dental - Commissioners approved the 2027 Geauga County County Employee Benefits Consortium of Ohio (CEBCO)/ Anthem Healthcare Anthem RX prescription 1F and 1C elected officials and Delta Dental Renewal Plan and rates to be effective January 1st, 2027.
Mrs. Brakey asked about the survey that was sent to employees, and Ms. Bevan said that over 200 employees responded to the survey. The three items that were top priorities are all available as options in the new plan: AFLAC coverage (AFLAC is a particular vendor for supplemental, usually cash, benefits connected to medical issues or an accident), vision and HSA (Health Savings Account).
The Commissioners then approved the following:
-
the County Benefits Plus program effective January 1st, 2027 to offer employees the ability to voluntarily enroll in supplemental insurance through AFLAC.
-
the 2027 Geauga County CEBCO Anthem Healthcare HSA Plan E1 vision benefit 8 2-tier plan to be effective January 1, 2027
Recess - The Commissioners’ recessed at 10:32 until 2:30 p.m.
Work Session with Community and Economic Development
The Commissioners returned from recess at 2:30 pm. Community and Economic Development Director Gina Hofstetter was present as well as Benefits Specialist Megan Erickson. Observer Note: There is no video for this portion of the meeting.
Mr. Jimison explained the planning process that they are using to evaluate the area of economic development. He said the county is in Phase One of the four phases of the process which is to “Identify the Gap” between the current situation and the desired end state. Some key questions during this phase will be:
-
What resources and capabilities currently exist?
-
What is working?
-
What is missing?
-
What opportunities are being missed?
-
What does Geauga County want its economic and community future to look like?
-
What provides economic stability and resilience for Geauga County?
-
What can the county do to promote county economic stability?
Mr. Jimison offered this assessment of the current state: “The County Community and Economic Development Office is currently operating with limited personnel and resources, which constrains its ability to proactively address community needs or pursue strategic initiatives. The office lacks a clearly defined vision, mission, and measurable objectives, resulting in fragmented efforts and reactive decisionmaking rather than coordinated, long-term planning.” Observer Note: This was the opening paragraph of this part of the report.
A synopsis of the Desired End State was stated as follows: “A County & Economic Development Department that fosters sustainable economic growth, community resilience and thriving rural communities through strategic planning, meaningful engagement, coordinated partnerships and targeted investment.”
Mr. Jimison next reviewed Planning Boundaries (Assumptions, Restraints and Constraints).
Finally, Mr. Jimison asked the Commissioners to complete homework by reviewing the Assumptions, Restraints and Constraints and the desired end state.
Ms. Hofstetter and Mr. Jimison reviewed the history of Community and Economic Development and some major accomplishments, such as the Brownfield and Site Development Grants and the Local and Revolving Loan Funds. It was acknowledged that Ms. Hofstetter is currently the only employee and that there are four positions authorized.
They also talked about community partners, such as Destination Geauga, Geauga Metropolitan Housing Authority, Geauga Farm Bureau, Geauga Growth Partnership, WomenSafe, DDC clinic and others.
Ms. Hofstetter said it was important to look at agritourism and other tourism opportunities.
Mr. Dvorak said he would like to see “shovel ready projects” depicted on the website in a way that someone looking for opportunities would be able to quickly see what might be available.
There was also a discussion about who would be part of the Planning process, and Mr. Jimison said that the more planners, the better and mentioned including County Directors and local non-profits.
Mrs. Brakey asked if agritourism included the Amish, and Ms. Hofstetter said yes. She said they were “missing the boat” in regard to tourism in the Amish community.
Mrs. Brakey asked if the Amish wanted tourism and Ms. Hofstetter said, “yes, absolutely.”
Ms. Hofstetter said that one of the challenges for tourism is the lack of lodging.
Mr. Dvorak asked if any data centers were underway, and Ms. Hofstetter said she hadn’t heard of any.
Mrs. Brakey asked about next steps. Mr. Jimison said he would like to schedule another working session.
Adjournment - 3:19 pm
Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: The next two Regular Meetings of the BOCC are September 15 and Thursday, September 24, 2026. The normal meeting day of Tuesday was changed to Thursday because of a planned Perry Nuclear Power Plant drill.
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor: Rooney Moy
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: September 18, 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.