Lake Odessa council delays manager decision, authorizes background checks for both finalists

The Lake Odessa Village Council on Jan. 6 conducted second interviews with two finalists for village manager and unanimously authorized background investigations for both candidates, but postponed a final decision until its regular meeting on Jan. 21, 2026.

Village President Karen Banks called the special meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. and the council appointed Gregg Guetschow as recording secretary for the session. The council interviewed finalist Patti Caudill from 5:01 p.m. to 5:36 p.m. and finalist Mark Borden from 5:48 p.m. to 6:33 p.m.; the minutes record the interview times but do not summarize responses.

Council members agreed it would be helpful for trustees to meet individually with department heads before choosing a manager. "It was the consensus of Council members to delay discussion of candidates until the regular Village Council meeting to be held on January 21, 2026, to provide members an opportunity to meet individually with department heads to receive their input," the minutes state.

Trustee Bob Green moved and Trustee Mike Brighton supported a motion authorizing the village manager to contract for completion of background investigations for both candidates; the council voted 7-0 to approve the motion.

Public comment included a thank-you from Beth Barrone for the council's work on the search, and Carrie Johnson spoke during the later public comment period in favor of Patti Caudill. Staff member Jesse Trout provided council members with information about Category B funding, grants, and consultants during the same public comment block.

The council will revisit the manager candidates and the results of any background investigations at its Jan. 21 regular meeting.