Budget Commission Special Meeting – July 24, 2023
Meeting Details: The Geauga County Budget Commission met in Special Session on Monday, July 24, 2023 at 10:03 am in the Auditor’s Conference Room at 215 Main Street, Chardon, Ohio. This meeting was in person with a virtual option via MS Teams.
Meeting Attendance: Prosecutor Jim Flaiz, Deputy Auditor Ron Leyde (substituting for Auditor Chuck Walder, who was on the Teams call), and Treasurer Chris Hitchcock.
Staff Attendance: Deputy Auditors Tammy Most and Kristen Sinatra, and Fiscal Office Manager Pam McMahan.
County/School/Township/Village Representatives: none
Minutes: Approval for June 30, 2023, July 10, 2023
The following Revenue Certifications for 2023-24 were approved and noted that appropriations do not exceed.
Mr. Flaiz asked whether there was any information on the cost per pupil. Mr. Walder said that Deputy Auditor Paul Costello will be working on that. He had noted the disparity between Chardon and Berkshire. It was stated that Chardon was more comparable to Kenston.
Revenue Certification Requests:
The following Revenue Certifications for 2023 were approved:
Mr. Hitchcock asked whether the Ohio Budget Bill that passed had a provision to require public comment in Park District meetings. Mr. Flaiz and Mr. Walder responded that this was not in the Budget Bill but could still be in another Senate bill (pending).
General Discussion:
Chester Twp passed a resolution for re-allocation of inside millage from road and bridges to the General Fund for 2023-24. Mr.Hitchcock asked if the Budget Commission would normally approve that? Mr. Walder said they are shifting all their money into the General Fund. Walder said they want flexibility, so if they put it it in General Fund they have more flexibility
2024 Budget Hearings Preparations: There was a discussion of the budget work session forms and Mr. Walder noted that he is preparing them and will have them finalized soon.
Mr. Flaiz asked about ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) Funds and Mr. Walder stated that the ability to use those funds is coming to an end soon.
Mr. Flaiz and Mr. Hitchcock both emphasized that all entities needed to be treated the same. There was a question directed to Deputy Auditor Tammy Most as to whether she has all the budget information on Sharepoint and she said that she did not yet.
Mr. Hitchcock stated that he has been working on a draft of an explanation of what constitutes a good budget submission. He asked the other members of the Budget Commission to review this and to make comments and suggestions. He further stated that some entities have figured out how to not revert to zero-based budgeting and adjusted but others have not done so. He stated that Budget Coordinator Paul Pestello will not be able to invest much time in Budget Hearings preparations, as he is currently assisting a school district that has lost its treasurer.
To prepare for the Budget Hearings, Mr. Walder directed the Auditor’s Office staff to create a template showing beginning cash balances of all entity funds as of January 1, as well as information on whether or not the funds are protected (unable to be rolled up into the general fund) or unprotected (able to be rolled into the general fund).
Mr. Flaiz noted that he would like information comparing estimated versus actual expenses for the previous two years as well.
Quick comment by Mr. Flaix that ARPA money would be running out and Mr. Walder agreed.
Public Comment:
This observer asked for clarification regarding the budget figures presented by Geauga Public Health. Auditor Walder asked Mr. Leyde to send the spreadsheet to the League of Women Voters. He said their total cash balance was about $3.8 million. Walder continued to explain that in the refund process they had to incur significant consulting fees. $ 1.2 or 1.3 million needs to be subtracted from the cash balance. Walder - said they are probably cutting their cash balance in half. Deputy Auditor Leyde said that they are making significant moves in order to pay expenses.
More Information and Posted Minutes: Available on Auditor website
Next Meeting: August 7, 9:00 am in the Auditor’s Conference Room at 215 Main Street, Chardon, Ohio.
Name of Observer: Gail Roussey
Name of Reviewer: Shelly Lewis
Submitted 7/26/2023
The League of Women Voters of 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.