Temperatures steadily rose inside South Russell Village Hall Jan. 5 as council members expressed anger and frustration toward Mayor Bill Koons over what they describe as a pattern of unauthorized actions, including a recently revealed cost increase tied to the village’s contract with the Chagrin Valley Fire Department.
Temperatures steadily rose inside South Russell Village Hall Jan. 5 as council members expressed anger and frustration toward Mayor Bill Koons over what they describe as a pattern of unauthorized actions, including a recently revealed cost increase tied to the village’s contract with the Chagrin Valley Fire Department.
At the Dec. 19 South Russell Village Council meeting, council unanimously approved a resolution of no confidence and no trust in the mayor, accusing him of procedural violations and misconduct that undermined village governance.
While Koons did not specifically address any of the resolution’s claims, he did express displeasure with council’s vote.
“I was disappointed that the previous council passed a resolution that contained some statements based on the lack of firsthand knowledge,” Koons said Jan. 5. “I just hope that we are all ready to move on.”
Chagrin Valley Fire Issues
Council, however, was not yet ready to move on Monday night, with member Chris Berger questioning Koons about a sudden 6% increase in 2026 fire and EMS costs that Police Chief Mike Rizzo raised Dec. 29.
CVFD gave South Russell a $50,000 quote for 2026, but the actual cost was $55,510, Rizzo said.
Berger questioned Koons on the increase, as he is the village’s representative for Chagrin Valley Dispatch — the communication center that handles emergency calls for 36 municipalities in the greater Cleveland area, including CVFD.
“Mayor, did you attend the CVD meeting on Aug. 20?” Berger asked.
“I would say I’m sure I did,” replied Koons, who is the secretary of the executive committee for CVD.
“Okay, and did they have a vote to approve the appropriations for 2026 at that meeting?” Berger asked.
“I don’t know, but I would assume so,” Koons replied.
“I do (know) … because I’ve got the minutes of the meeting,” Berger said. “My question is, on Aug. 20, (CVD) approved a budget with an ‘exhibit A’ attached to it that had all the costs for us and yet, we didn’t hear about it until (Rizzo) brought it to our attention two weeks ago. Why?”
“I don’t know,” Koons replied. “This is just by normal business procedure that CVD determines the cost and I never thought (to) bring it to you.”
“So, (a) cost increase will affect the village, you’re an elected official, (you didn’t think) it would be important to bring it to us?” council member Chris Bell asked. “It’s also around the time that we were investigating the fire department contract where we were looking at an expense increase.”
Berger said the contract needed to be amended because it previously included police services for the village and a new contract requiring council approval was never brought forward.
“We’re obviously not being represented thoroughly at Chagrin Valley Dispatch because it’s not coming back to us tonight,” Bell added. “Honestly mayor, I don’t think you should be our representative anymore at Chagrin Valley Dispatch.”
Berger added, “You are mad at us because this council passed a resolution of no trust, no confidence on Dec. 29. Here it is, add it to the pile.”
Koons said he would have to think about Bell’s criticism.
“Yes, I do represent us … and missing a 6% increase … I probably should have (checked on) that back then, but it’s been just something we would roll through year after year after year,” Koons said.
Berger said that during Koons’ mayor’s report Oct. 13, Koons mentioned attending a CVD meeting and noted four new municipalities joining the dispatch center, but did not disclose approval of increased costs.
Alternative Paths Considered
Council had considered two alternatives to the no-confidence vote, Berger said in a Jan. 5 follow-up interview.
One option would have allowed five village voters to file a petition with the Geauga County Probate Court seeking a trial of the mayor, he said.
Another option involved circulating a recall petition requiring 100 resident signatures to place a recall vote on the ballot, Berger added.
The first step the council took was meeting with the mayor in executive session in October to discuss concerns regarding his actions, he said.
“When I felt that we weren’t being listened to by the mayor, we explored what additional steps council could take and then this seemed to be the most straightforward path,” Berger said. “The mayor’s job in South Russell primarily is to manage the day-to-day operations of the village as set up by the council.
“We see on TV and in other social media that, ‘Oh, the mayor is this authority figure that has all of these plenary powers to act’ and that’s just not the case,” he added. “So, if we understand that, then we understand why (the) council is so frustrated with the way the mayor acts.”
Concerns about Koons’ conduct have been ongoing for several years, Berger said.
“The mayor has repeatedly stepped outside of his authority to make financial commitments to … third parties on behalf of the village without the approval of council and that’s not the way our village government was set up to run,” he said.
Bell and council member Ruth Cavanagh did not respond to requests for comment prior to press deadline.
“I really don’t have any other comments to make on the subject,” council member Gerald Canton said. “Chris Berger has done a great job with that plus what was said at our last meeting.”
Berger hopes council’s no-confidence vote will encourage residents to become more engaged in local government business and ask more questions of their leaders.
“My hope is that the mayor takes the resolution to heart, sees what the council believes are the errors of his ways and that he will change his practice,” Berger said.
