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Resident urges commissioners not to ratify NOACA bylaw change that would reduce commissioner representation
Summary
A Hinkley Township resident urged Medina County commissioners not to ratify a NOACA bylaws change (Resolution 2025‑024) that would replace a commissioner seat with a highway engineer on the regional board; the change passed NOACA by a narrow vote and must be ratified by all five county commissions.
John Kalis of Hinkley Township addressed the Medina County Board of Commissioners during public comment and asked the board not to ratify a recent change to the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) governance document (identified in meeting materials as Resolution 2025‑024) that replaces one Geauga County commissioner seat with the Geauga County highway engineer.
Kalis said the change passed the NOACA board by a narrow 19‑to‑17 vote and argued the move would remove a dissenting voice that had raised objections to the agency’s equity initiatives. “Idon’t think that it’s something that we can really afford to lose,” Kalis said, urging commissioners to withhold ratification when the matter is formally before the county. Meeting discussion referenced that the bylaws change (described alternately in the meeting as a code of regulations/bylaws change) must be ratified by all five counties’ boards of commissioners.
Commission discussion noted the close vote at the NOACA meeting, that some members abstained, and that there may be additional conversations before the item returns to Medina County for formal action. County staff said materials from NOACA (the action from the Geauga County commissioners was circulated to the Medina commissioners) had been shared with the board for information.
Why it matters: Changes to NOACA governance affect regional transportation and planning representation; ratification by the five counties is required for the change to take effect.
Next steps: Commissioners indicated they have not yet taken a final position and that additional conversations are expected before any ratification vote by Medina County.
