[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6518466,"mediaKeyId","5392169-57768d24257e916cef96e4fe2850f0ac","parentId",5392169,"title","Brimfield trustees meet in executive session under Ohio law to consider discipline of an elected official; no action taken","audioSeconds",2258,"startMs",1268000,"endMs",3526000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5392169-57768d24257e916cef96e4fe2850f0ac&start=1268&end=3526","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5392169-57768d24257e916cef96e4fe2850f0ac/thumbnail_1268000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6518466/Ohio/Brimfield-trustees-meet-in-executive-session-under-Ohio-law-to-consider-discipline-of-an-elected-official-no-action-taken","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518466-506266fa740a778f6d446cfe082cbda7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770890159&Signature=AwLLpLMTGG8H~NCgRNG6C-UhldhPh9vKxkuz8Xun41gpdNjz~nsSPpHDyDnlO-bQ1xbMoLMXR-TOF93IaBEOkUSJPhfjX-wQwiyExaJ~Eshyc6Kfx9efNbAXagrdo3uehi0l5maJTLzLRRCMp0PzTpLrKQxIU2n15uoZ9ck3d3gd-~q5IyCm2g6b0eEtCB0LYW3wdvJ6sgwTy2UuJwmeUf8Rwkz3TRV5PiYDFjKswyoGNnQpvqy8rl40asgRJK5Hr26VOJxWRsqBDZI-vhAgmoxd-5SxuNFT0TuXGk7QfnCDBAU95zjadiWhyNJWFd0nTHH7WYSC2m5lqWKvNWM5Ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-15T02:06:27Z","article","On July 14, 2025, the Brimfield Board of Trustees voted to convene an executive session pursuant to Ohio Revised Code §121.22(g) to consider matters related to discipline of an elected official. Trustee Nick Coyo made the motion citing the statute; the motion was seconded and passed by roll call (Nick Coyo — yes; Trustee Sue — yes; Trustee Mike — yes). The board entered executive session at approximately 9:22 p.m.

The trustees explicitly read statutory language when making the motion and said the meeting could not disclose the identity of the person who was the subject of the discussion. When the board returned to open session later in the meeting, the chair announced, “No action to be taken.”

Because the trustees cited Ohio Rev. Code §121.22(g) — the statutory provision allowing executive sessions for discipline of an elected official — the board limited public discussion of the subject during the open meeting and declined to identify the official under consideration.

Ending: The meeting resumed open session and proceeded to adjourn. The trustees recorded no public action or vote stemming from the executive session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Brimfield Township - Board of Trustees - Special Meeting - 7/14/25","oneSentenceSummary","The trustees convened an executive session under Ohio Revised Code §121.22(g) to consider discipline of an elected official and returned to open session with no action taken.","taxTitle","Brimfield Board of Trustees, Brimfield Town, Portage County, Ohio","taxId",74570,"location","Ohio","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6518470,"Brimfield trustees approve interview panel for fiscal officer, add Captain Chris Atkins after public objections",1004,243000,1247000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5392169-57768d24257e916cef96e4fe2850f0ac&start=243&end=1247","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5392169-57768d24257e916cef96e4fe2850f0ac/thumbnail_243000.jpg","/articles/6518470/Ohio/Brimfield-trustees-approve-interview-panel-for-fiscal-officer-add-Captain-Chris-Atkins-after-public-objections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518470-f1b23d5f3e315a3ed164ee64a1b63a7f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770890159&Signature=RJFBd1rpEbEMiJHwji02GfbnDRO9AHnBdEVBxNM5eq~qQU61drgCOeLUqW6VTkj-dDa3HT7vmiMjpWe8vj9FM8bjHzbsSosx-DzZf8LbMaExSgSr6qa1zs~LQ11K90rPzPhO2IFTpcDLcq9Q1hjm56NUn~Tyb6b-eB4EeA20RaCNg6bTlcwA2qOPx3t7S2E3Mf4p4bmCpJCqpqnB8AdYeWv1Gyy6JtnZPu0ZuYfRHqBMvs~gAZy0DbRt3FTdviDeqFW2HS-tgjgM4EA9Awj6BFFUvRW6mzeOmPQh4fIa4-qrqovMbbU4Ljuykgh0mhjATwu6kVBI7xQs-a9PfAS8~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On July 14, 2025, the Brimfield Board of Trustees voted to form an interview panel to select a replacement fiscal officer, approving a panel composed of the three elected trustees, the township HR/business manager, and a designee from the county auditor’s office, and later amending the panel to add Captain Chris Atkins.

The vote followed multiple written public comments read into the record urging trustees to exclude the incumbent fiscal officer, John Dezell, from participating in his own replacement process. Shannon Campbell, whose comment was read aloud, wrote, “I wish to vehemently express my recommendation that the existing fiscal officer not be part of the interview panel for his replacement.” Ray Miller, another commenter, said in part, “The possibility of a formal fiscal officer who mishandled public funds being able to help select his replacement is beyond a joke…he has no business having to do with Brimfield Township money.” Other emailed commenters asked that the county auditor or an outside fiscal professional be involved in the panel’s work.

Trustees discussed those concerns and the panel’s makeup at length. Trustee Nick Coyo moved to establish the panel with the county auditor’s participation; the motion was seconded and discussed. During discussion trustees and staff raised outstanding questions about tax increment financing (TIF) receipts tied to Maple Crest developments, saying money from at least Maple Crest 1 and possibly Maple Crest 2 had not yet been received by the township and that the size of the shortfall was not specified. At the meeting a staff member and trustees reported that a recent meeting with county representatives had confirmed the funds had not reached the schools and that details were still being worked out.

Trustees debated whether to include county staff on the panel. An amendment to add Captain Chris Atkins—described at the meeting as someone with detailed knowledge of the township budget and a neutral participant—was moved and seconded. The amended motion to form the panel, including the county auditor designee and Captain Atkins, passed by roll call: Trustee Nick Coyo — yes; Trustee Sue — yes; Trustee Mike — yes.

John Dezell, who attendees identified as the longtime fiscal officer and who said at the meeting he is retiring after 19 years, responded to the public comments by saying he had “done the best I could do with all this money” and that he did not object to being excluded from the panel if the board so chose.

Votes at a glance
- Motion to approve the meeting agenda as presented, amended to remove the road department item and to include an executive session: passed by roll call (Nick Coyo — yes; Trustee Sue — yes; Trustee Mike — yes).
- Motion to form an interview panel composed of the three trustees, the HR/business manager, a county auditor designee, and (by amendment) Captain Chris Atkins: passed by roll call (Nick Coyo — yes; Trustee Sue — yes; Trustee Mike — yes).

The trustees did not set an interview date at the meeting. Trustees said the panel is advisory; final appointment would remain the trustees’ responsibility. Several public commenters had requested the county auditor or an outside fiscal officer be involved; the board retained a county auditor designee on the panel while also adding Captain Chris Atkins.

Ending: The board moved from the interview-panel discussion to an executive session later in the meeting. No appointments or selections were made during the public meeting itself.","The Brimfield Board of Trustees on July 14 approved an interview panel to select a replacement fiscal officer, keeping a county auditor designee on the panel and amending it to add Captain Chris Atkins after public comments urged excluding the current fiscal officer.","actionData","errors"]

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Brimfield trustees meet in executive session under Ohio law to consider discipline of an elected official; no action taken

Brimfield trustees approve interview panel for fiscal officer, add Captain Chris Atkins after public objections