Koons Vows More Detailed Response at Later Date
South Russell Village Council unanimously approved a resolution of no confidence and no trust in Mayor Bill Koons during a special meeting Dec. 29, citing a pattern of unauthorized actions, procedural violations and alleged misconduct that council members said undermined village governance.
South Russell Village Council unanimously approved a resolution resolution of no confidence and no trust in Mayor Bill Koons during a special meeting Dec. 29, citing a pattern of unauthorized actions, procedural violations and alleged misconduct that council members said undermined village governance.
Council members Chris Berger, Christopher Bell and Mark Porter read the approximately 10-minute resolution, which detailed multiple actions they said Koons took without council approval and outside established procedures.
“Almost all the mayor’s actions must be confirmed or approved by council, whereas during his terms as mayor, William Koons has engaged in a series of behaviors and actions which are contrary to the good order of the village,” Berger read.
Among the allegations, council members said Koons offered to reinstate a former employee who had resigned after falsifying village records without notifying or receiving approval from council.
Council members also cited Koons’ role in negotiating terms of the Chagrin Falls Suburban Volunteer Association contract for fire and EMS services on behalf of the village without authorization.
“(Koons) advised (Chagrin Valley Fire Chief Frank Zugan) in advance of (the) Aug. 13 meeting that a counter proposal would be forthcoming and to ‘act surprised,’” Berger read.
Koons also represented the village at the CVFD Advisory Board meeting and voted to approve a new agreement without council authorization, according to the four-page resolution.
“(Koons) told council member Berger at a follow-up meeting that, ‘This was a done deal, council has to vote to approve (and) council has no choice,’” read Berger.
Berger said he asked Koons to submit a counterproposal to CVFD that included an 8% increase, which Koons said he would relay, but allegedly did not.
Council also directed Koons to approach Russell Township for a proposal for fire and EMS services, but no quote was obtained, Berger read.
Koons later told residents, “The village had committed to CVFD and needed to honor that commitment,” Bell read, adding council members felt compelled to approve the contract, despite believing the mayor lacked authority to commit the village without prior council approval.
Council members further alleged Koons — without authorization or council approval — told the Kensington Green Homeowners Association, while in negotiations with the village for a proposed easement agreement, that the village would reimburse the homeowners association for legal fees it incurred to review the agreement. Council, however, intervened to prevent reimbursement, Bell read.
Another allegation involved a proposed stormwater easement agreement for the Whitetail neighborhood, in which Koons allegedly offered the Whitetail Run Community Association a three-year payment plan of $10,000 per year without council approval, Porter read. Council again stepped in to stop the action.
Porter, who lost his bid at re-election to council on Nov. 4, also said Koons accepted a matching grant from the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency.
“(He committed the) village to a minimum $200,000 investment. As of (Nov. 25, 2025), the commitment will be a minimum of $600,000 and potentially more than $1 million,” Porter read.
The mayor also provided a project timeline, including a 2026 ribbon cutting, prior to council approval, he added.
Additional allegations included failure to follow standard hiring procedures, contacting references before initial interviews and department head approval, and inquiring about a potential candidate with a nearby neighborhood without authorization, Porter read.
Koons also allegedly conducted one-on-one lunch interviews with female applicants on multiple occasions, Porter read.
The resolution further alleged Koons gave village employees the OK to complete tasks without proper authorization, Porter read.
“Koons disregarded the chain of command by directing village employees — contrary to the instructions of their department heads — to perform certain tasks, including disseminating confidential information and thereby jeopardizing an ongoing police investigation,” he read.
Koons also allegedly allowed the Geauga Fresh Farmers Market to operate on village property without proof of insurance or solicitor review; committed the village to paying Fall Festival 2025 vendors without council approval; dismissed certain employees early with full pay while requiring others to complete their shifts; and invited select employees to village-sponsored events with compensation and meals at village expense.
Koons was required by council to participate in workplace sensitivity training at his own expense due to “issues raised by personnel,” Porter added.
Additional concerns included a park committee action request Koons allegedly made via text Dec. 1 without regard for Ohio Sunshine laws, he read.
Reading the final portion of the resolution, Porter said, “The council members of the village of South Russell have no confidence, no trust in the mayor to effectively lead the village of South Russell. The council members of the village of South Russell urge the citizens of the village of South Russell to consider the actions of the mayor going forward in light of this resolution of no confidence and no trust because the citizens of the village of South Russell deserve better.”
The resolution required a two-thirds vote to take immediate effect. After council voted to waive the second and third readings, it passed the resolution unanimously, 6-0.
Porter then gave Koons an opportunity to respond.
“I’ve always tried to do what is best for the residents,” Koons said. “I look forward to addressing each and every one of these statements. If anyone would like to talk to me about this or any issue, please contact me.”
The mayor said he would address the allegations more in-depth at subsequent meetings.
“The six municipalities that make up the Chagrin Valley Fire Department met in two meetings, one in June and the other in August,” Koons said in an email response when contacted by the Geauga County Maple Leaf. “The six municipal leaders agreed to present to our councils/trustees the new three-year contract calling for a 12% increase each year for the next three years. In the fall, five of the municipalities passed the contract unanimously. We did not. After two council meetings, (the) council passed the new contract.”
Outgoing Councilman Dennis Galicki said in an email to the Maple Leaf sent after the meeting that council had asked Koons to resign from office weeks ago but he refused and “appears to have engaged legal counsel in anticipation of legal action against him.”
“The resolution of no confidence no trust is not politically motivated or retribution driven and was not lightly arrived at by council,” Galicki said. “The fact that the resolution was supported unanimously by council in my opinion speaks volumes.”
He added the resolution passed at the Dec. 29 special meeting covers only the mayor’s most recent actions.
“His questionable behavior has been going on for years despite warnings from council and the village solicitor until it finally reached a head recently,” Galicki said.
Galicki said there are several actions that could be taken if Koons does not resign from office including placing a recall vote on the ballot or instituting legal proceedings to remove him from office.
Porter said in a follow-up interview with the Maple Leaf that it’s on the mayor to take the next step, which could include resigning. He added he hopes the mayor would comply with Ohio laws before committing the village to any other expenditures.
“(I am) hoping the mayor will heed the cautionary nature of it and comply,” Porter said.
Village council will meet again at 7 p.m. Jan. 5 at the South Russell Village Hall.
