Leaf Thursday, July 17, 2025 Vol. 31 No. 29 • Chardon, Ohio www.geaugamapleleaf.com $1.25
Geauga Commissioners Eye Library Admin Building for Senior Center By Allison Wilson wilson@karlovecmedia.com
ALLISON WILSON/KMG
Geauga County Commissioners declared their desire to buy the Geauga Library Administration Building on July 8, with the intention to house the Chardon Senior Center in the space.
Middlefield Village
Commission Approves Heritage Pointe Phase 1 By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com The first 39-lot phase of the Heritage Pointe development in Middlefield Village received approval from the village planning and zoning commission on July 8. Just two days later, on July 10, the entire site plan for the 209-lot planned unit development (PUD) also gained approval—first from the commission, then from Middlefield Village Council. The project has moved quickly since developer Joe Svete first presented preliminary plans to the commission in January. Since that time, the village annexed a 64.7acre parcel south of the Walmart Superstore at 15050 Harrington Way. The annexation was carried out in agreement with Middlefield Township and was followed by rezoning the land as a residential PUD, which allows for smaller lots and homes built closer together. See Conservation • Page 3
Geauga County Commissioners approved a letter of intent July 8 to purchase the Geauga Library Administration Center on Ravenwood Drive, with plans to relocate the Chardon Senior Center to the space. Commissioner Jim Dvorak said the library’s administrative operations will eventually move into the new Chardon Library building on Park Avenue, expected to open in 2027. While a final price hasn’t been set, the proposed purchase is See Commissioners • Page 3
Chardon School Board Weighs State Budget Impact By Allison Wilson wilson@karlovecmedia.com Vetoes, potential overrides and the effects of House Bill 96 on Chardon Schools were key topics of discussion during the July 8 meeting of the Chardon Schools Board of Education. Gov. Mike DeWine signed
House Bill 96 — the state’s operating budget for fiscal years 20262027 — into law on June 30, issuing 67 line-item vetoes in the process. The board, which previously expressed concern over changes in House Bill 96 affecting how school districts manage finances, met to review what was vetoed, which vetoes might be overridden
and the possible implications for the district. A primary concern for board members centered on Ohio’s school funding formula. Now in the fourth year of a six-year phasein, the formula did not receive updates to its base cost inputs. One new feature introduced in See Budget • Page 4
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One of the five scenarios projected by Chardon Treasurer Deb Armbruster looks at the possible impact of moving one mill back to the general fund and phasing back in student fees. All scenarios examined by the board are preliminary ideas.