Mentor Council approves emergency resolution to request advance of property tax funds; confirms multiple board appointments

Mentor City Council approved Resolution 25-R-101 on Jan. 7, asking the Lake County Auditor’s Office to remit, in advance of real-estate tax settlements, the maximum cash legally allowed to the city and declaring the measure an emergency. Council then confirmed a series of appointments to advisory boards and commissions.

The resolution was introduced by a staff member who described the measure as an annual request and recommended approval. “I would recommend approval,” the staff member said. Counsel moved to suspend the rules and to approve the resolution; a subsequent roll-call vote recorded unanimous approval.

The action gives the city authorization to request an advance of property-tax funds from the Lake County Auditor’s Office. Council took the vote under emergency suspension of the usual rules; the resolution was adopted by a unanimous roll call.

Following the resolution, council used roll-call votes to fill seats on multiple boards and commissions. Nominees confirmed by unanimous votes included Kathy Miller for the Board of Building and Zoning Appeals (term ending 12/31/2028); John Perkovich for the Municipal Planning Commission (term ending 12/31/2028); James Struna for the Civil Service Commission (term ending 12/31/2028); eight appointees to the Community Arts Commission (Benjamin Longbaum, Kelly Wolf, Ricky Connolly, John Troxell, Susan Peternilj, Desiree Yarrick, Jacqueline Sawzewski and David Schick, terms ending 12/31/2027); Beatrice Lawyer Goldberg to the Fair Housing Board (term ending 12/31/2027); Rod Schroeder to the Tree Commission (term ending 12/31/2028); and a recommendation of James Struna to the Lake County Port and Economic Development Authority Board of Directors. Each nomination was moved, seconded and approved by roll call during the meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 25-R-101 (request advance of property-tax funds; emergency): moved by Counsel; motion to suspend and approve; roll-call vote: Kirschner — Yes; Krieger — Yes; Martin — Yes; Blake — Yes; Donovan — Yes; Dowling — Yes; Freeman — Yes. Outcome: approved.

- Appointment: Kathy Miller, Board of Building and Zoning Appeals (term to 12/31/2028). Vote: unanimous (all councilmembers present voted Yes). Outcome: approved.

- Appointment: John Perkovich, Municipal Planning Commission (term to 12/31/2028). Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

- Appointment: James Struna, Civil Service Commission (term to 12/31/2028). Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

- Appointments: Community Arts Commission (eight 3-year seats to 12/31/2027) — Benjamin Longbaum; Kelly Wolf; Ricky Connolly; John Troxell; Susan Peternilj; Desiree Yarrick; Jacqueline Sawzewski; David Schick. Votes: unanimous. Outcome: approved (all eight confirmed).

- Appointment: Beatrice Lawyer Goldberg, Fair Housing Board (term to 12/31/2027). Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

- Appointment: Rod Schroeder, Tree Commission (term to 12/31/2028). Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

- Recommendation: James Struna to the Lake County Port and Economic Development Authority Board of Directors. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: recommended to the county commissioners.

Why it matters

The resolution allows the city to request upfront distributions of property-tax receipts from the county auditor, which can affect short-term cash flow for municipal operations. The board and commission appointments fill advisory roles that steer local planning, arts programming, housing policy and other municipal functions.

What council said

A staff member summarized the purpose of the resolution and recommended its approval. Counsel moved the procedural suspensions and approvals that put the resolution and the appointments to roll-call votes.

Context and next steps

Council also received routine manager and clerk reports during the meeting, including seasonal reminders about holiday tree recycling locations and public-posted job listings. Appointments take effect as specified by each board’s rules; the county commissioners will consider the city’s recommendation for the port-authority appointment.

Ending

No public hearing occurred on the resolution. Council proceeded to the manager’s report and then to public comment items later in the meeting.