Commissioners OK bonds for new building

Geauga County leaders this week approved legislation laying the groundwork to finance the new county administration building.

County commissioners on Nov. 10 approved issuing and sale of bonds totaling $30 million for the costs of constructing, furnishing and equipping the 103,000-squarefoot structure.

A ground-breaking ceremony was held Oct. 28 for the building at 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Claridon Township.

There were two pieces of legislation — one for $10 million and the other for the balance of the cost.

“Breaking the bonds up into two bonds with one at $10 million and (the other) at $20 million will get us a better interest rate, as we will be able to do the $10 million bond as bank-certified,” county Administrator Gerry Morgan said. “We will be closing on the $10 million this year, and the $20 million will be closed next year.”

Commissioners committed to do the project without raising taxes. Occupancy isn’t expected until early 2022.

Most of the offices are currently housed at 470 Center St. in Chardon. The following departments will be relocated to the new building: Health District, Title, Job and Family Services, Department on Aging, Planning Commission, Building, Water Resources, Community and Economic Development, Veterans Services, Board of Elections and Archives.

“This new office facility will provide more efficient customer service to the citizens of Geauga County in a location that provides much easier access for them,” Morgan said.

“Additionally, the new office building will provide efficiencies within the operation of the county government utilizing shared conference rooms and proximity amongst departments that work together on a regular basis, and reduced maintenance and operational costs.”

Current offices face space and parking constraints, lack security and would be costly to renovate, officials have said.

The Ohio Revised Code requires some county offices to remain in the city, which is the county seat. Chardon filed a lawsuit Oct. 15 in Geauga County Common Pleas Court against the county and commissioners seeking a declaration that the “usual office” of the commissioners must be maintained at the county seat, along with their staff and county archives.

The city also seeks a ruling that the offices of all boards and commissions on which the commissioners, county auditor, county treasurer, county recorder serve by statute must be maintained at the county seat, including all operations and staff that service such boards and commissions.

“All 88 counties in Ohio maintain their county offices, operations and staff at the county seat,” said city-retained attorney Majeed G. Makhlouf. “County seat means what it says. It is the city where the county government functions take place. We want to protect our citizens’ rights and interests.”

The county prosecutor’s office has until Nov. 17 to respond.

SUBMITTED Geauga County commissioners recently broke ground for the new county administration building.