The Portage County Board of Commissioners voted to rehire retiring office manager Linda Markajohn, approving a rehire effective Oct. 1, 2025, after holding a public meeting required by the Ohio Revised Code. The board made the decision by roll call unanimity: Commissioners Sabrina (yes), Jill (yes) and Mike (yes).

The public meeting was held under Ohio Revised Code section 145.381 to receive comment and to answer questions about the proposed rehire. County staff read a public notice stating that Markajohn would retire on Sept. 30, 2025, and be rehired on or about Oct. 1, 2025, and that, if that occurs, she would forfeit two months of the retirement allowance she would otherwise have received.

The county administrator recommended the rehiring and the administrator’s office advised that Markajohn should consult directly with Ohio PERS about the retirement allowance implications referenced in Ohio Revised Code section 145.38. During the public comment portion of the meeting, Markajohn thanked the board and county administrator for supporting her rehiring and said the department is “moving in a very positive direction.” Commissioners and staff expressed appreciation for her leadership.

Why it matters: Rehiring a retiring employee can affect retirement payments and pension rules under Ohio law, and the board followed the statute’s notice-and-comment requirement before taking a formal vote.

Discussion versus action: The meeting record shows (1) a public meeting and staff advisories about pension consequences, (2) public comment from Markajohn, and (3) a formal motion and unanimous vote to approve the rehire. The board did not record any amendments to the rehire terms during the meeting.

What’s next: County staff recommended Markajohn contact Ohio PERS to clarify retirement-allowance effects. The transcript does not show completion of that consultation or any change in the effective rehire date beyond the announced Oct. 1, 2025.

(Ending) The board’s roll-call vote approved the rehiring as presented; no dissenting votes or conditions were recorded in the meeting transcript.