DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES
MEETING MINUTES
Date: November 10th 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Deerfield Township Hall
IN ATTENDANCE
Trustees: Charles “Ed” Dean, Tiffany Havens (Chair), Laura Lindberg
Fiscal Officer: Tracey Dean
Fire: Assistant Chief Derek Day and Capt. Todd Bardeilli
Special Guest: State Representative Heidi Workman.
CALL TO ORDER
Tiffany Havens called the meeting to order at 6pm. The Pledge of Allegiance began the
meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES/REPORTS
October 13th meeting minutes. Laura made a motion to table financials until the next regular
meeting. Ed made a motion to accept the meeting minutes (no 2nd). Laura asked to table to next
meeting.
September 8 minutes and financials. All three trustees got quotes for the cemetery. Todd
made the update for the fire department not Tim. Tiffany made a motion to accept the
minutes with those changes (seconded and passed unanimously).
SPECIAL GUEST
State Rep Heidi Workman. Heidi acknowledged veterans in the audience (Veterans Day is
tomorrow). Ohio passed HB-186 and -335: Combined, the two bills will bring a total of 2.4 billion
dollars to Ohio taxpayers in property tax relief. This caps property taxes for districts on the 20-
mil floor at an increase to inflation (2.7% currently). HB-129 will close loopholes in tax policy,
while HB-309 will empower county budget commissions for oversight (can say no to levies). HB-
124 will give more oversight for auditor and appraisal practices. Heidi opened the floor to
questions.
Audience members asked (1) whether the homestead exemption would be increased for
veterans on disability. Also why are we still paying school prop taxes when court ruled this has
been ruled unconstitutional? Doesn’t the state also have a surplus? Heidi: About 30 years ago,
the Supreme Court ruled the practice unconstitutional, but in 2002, it ruled the case null and
void. There is a state rainy day fund. (2) Marijuana and lottery money – where is it? Heidi:
Lottery money is only a fraction (11%) of the school funding. (3) Abolishing property tax –
status? Heidi: we’re doing all we can despite pushback from schools. If this issue gets on the
ballot, it will pass (there is a 72% approval rating now). If we abolished property tax in thisdistrict: everyone (schools, cities) will come after the people and make us fearful to eliminate the
tax. To compensate, counties can increase sales to 1.5% (Portage County is currently 1%) and
schools can impose an income tax with voter approval (up to inflation for schools NOT at the 20-
mil floor). Townships can also levy a lodging tax. Lawsuits will ensue for school funding, schools
will massively consolidate (e.g., to 88 districts from 614). We’re also then looking at a massive
sales and/or income tax. In 2029 the policy would kick in (there is no retroactive tax relief
possible). General assembly can give power to levy taxes. (4) All of our money goes to schools
and there’s nothing for residents. What has been done with unspent school funds? Heidi:
Portage County property taxes bring in 380 million; 38.1 of that is in unencumbered cash
reserves, and that money should go back to the residents. (5) How about a 14% flat sales tax
for non-essentials? Heidi said she can investigate this. (6) Ohio is one of the few states that
relies on property taxes to fully fund schools; shouldn’t we look at other models? Heidi: If Ohio
centralized school funding (took it off the taxpayers), we would have to make up the money
somehow; furthermore, the state would then have power over school policies rather than our
local people (no more local school boards). The state has a constitutional obligation to ensure
school funding happens. Heidi also mentioned that as school enrollments are dropping, costs
are increasing (much due to benefits/health insurance costs). (7) Please note that teachers are
not getting pay increases. (8) There are also many more employees in administration now.
Behavioral issues are also very challenging today. (9) Someone suggested the state add a
small statewide sales tax for non-essentials; Heidi said they would have to go up by 18% and
that would not be popular. School consolidation is the likely solution; we would have to look at
successful models. Another person suggested merit increases based on school outcomes. (10)
One person made the point that quality schools add tremendous value to a community and a
lack of good schools does great harm. Heidi noted that BlackRock/Wall Street is also buying up
a great deal of our nation’s housing, which is adding to the property tax problem. We will need
500k signatures to get the issue on next year’s ballot; expect it to pass and expect chaos to
ensue.
COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Tiffany had a message from the Portage County General Health District regarding any changes
to storm water geographic maps (Ed said there is no change). Tiffany will let them know.
PUBLIC COMMENTARY
none
DEPARTMENT UPDATES
Road Department/Maintenance (Tim Suderman)
Road Department
We need a Resolution (25-7) for 125 tons of salt (Morton got the contract this year). We have
about 50 tons left over from last year. Morton is $45/ton. Ed made a motion to buy the salt from
Morton (seconded and passed unanimously).
The International Max Force needed repair for a water pump; it also had an issue with steering
(kingpin), front shocks, and two rear tires. ~$4500 is the estimated cost from K+D. Tires will be
separate. Tiffany made a motion for repairs up to $5k (seconded and passed unanimously).
The County did a couple miles of the road striping for us; they would like something in writing
from us to validate.
Cemeteries (Tim)
Two burials since last mtg, 1 at Deerfield, 1 at Hartzell
Plows and spreaders are out and ready for the season.
Will do one more mowing this season
Need a repair of the Scagg mower for filters, starter and switch, at $329. Ed made a motion to
pay for the repair (seconded and passed unanimously)
Someone Is working on painting and wood repair, nearly done
Laura sent a communication to the prosecutor’s office about the fence and is waiting to hear
back.
Buildings and Grounds (Ed)
Fridge that isn’t cooling is a sealed unit that can’t be fixed; we will need a new fridge. In the
meantime, it’s currently working. We’ll keep an eye on it.
Fire Department (Capt. Todd Berdelli and Asst. Chief Derek Day)
We had 28 EMS 11 fire 2 MVA calls.
Engine 14 was pump tested; several leaking valves were fixed. The generator is still broken.
New engine radio is in; we’re waiting on the title to put it in our name, and we’re hoping to have
it certified at the first of the year.
Tanker 14 – we will need to go to Apple Creek to have valves fixed at a ballpark cost ~$1,200.
No motion is necessary at this time.
We made it to the 10/24 football game.
We have five members doing very well in their 36-hour class and next week should be their last
class. Had an 11/2/25 training on school buses
NOPEC – Ed is getting a price on the lighting for the firehouse.
Congrats to Trustee Haven who won the election, and thanks to Trustee Dean for all he has
done.
Tiffany asked about reports on physicals; we need to get copies of those.
Dispatch service – we need to determine the contract before the next meeting. We had reps
from The Portage County Sheriff’s office and Ravenna Dispatch; Laura toured both. Currently,
we are contracted with Ravenna, but all calls first go to the Sheriff’s Department, then the call is
transferred to Ravenna. So, a caller needs to give all info to the Sheriff’s Office (required by
law), then while possibly in duress, repeat everything after the call is transferred to Ravenna,
and then wait for the dispatch. To avoid this scenario and save time, Laura suggested to
simplify by using the Sheriff’s Office alone. They can also dispatch other emergency services,
and they give a more detailed report as well. Laura Made motion to go with the Sheriff’s Office
(seconded and passed unanimously). Tiffany will call and let them know. An audience member
spoke highly of the Sheriff’s service, and Laura also spoke highly of the people at Ravenna.
An audience member asked why the fire department took 45 minutes for a squad to come to the
church last week. Todd said there was a lack of EMT/Medic staffing at all the area departments,
and he disputed the time of 45 minutes. There need to be two medical personnel to bring an
ambulance (EMT or higher). We have a list of mutual aid protocols. An audience member said a
situation where a medic calls off and no one knows about it should be addressed through an
action plan. Tiffany asked for a report and an action plan for the next meeting.
Laura asked about the district survey; Tiffany said she has it (completed).
Ohio Plan training: We must make sure we send out all the info. Laura explained how to
proceed.
OLD BUSINESS
Tiffany. Blight property – if anyone has a property in mind, let us know very soon as the
deadline is approaching (Jan. 16).
Portage Parks grant resolution. Ed asked about the quotes for parking which seemed very low.
Tiffany was told it can be done for $24,500 (Chris’ Concrete) and that the area was measured.
Ed noted that no motion was made by the board to pursue the grant or what to do, or if money
was available, etc. Tiffany said that it’s typical practice to get the grant then vote to receive it,
and that we did have an open discussion about it. Ed also asked about extra fees and Tiffany
said that was part of the consideration; only a few boards need replaced and others need to be
reset. Tiffany got approval from the prosecuting attorney that the contract was sound. An
audience member said he was involved in something similar for 10X the price. Tiffany made a
Resolution (25-8) to accept the grant. Ed abstained from the vote and all other others voted yes,
so the Resolution passed).
NEW BUSINESS
Christmas lights and decorations. One person (Libby) volunteered to help this year. Is there an
amount to appropriate? Laura made a motion to spend up to $200 on decorations (seconded
and passed unanimously).
The year-end closing meeting was decided for Monday, Dec. 29th. Tiffany made a motion for
that day/time at the Town Hall at 6pm (seconded and passed unanimously).
The organizational meeting was scheduled for the second Monday in Jan (12th).
ADJOURNMENT
Tiffany made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded, and passed at 7:40 pm.