Geauga County Jail Roof Deterioration Prompts Replacement Project

Commissioners approve next step, but construction timeline remains unclear as conditions worsen.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:20pm

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An extreme close-up of a water-damaged, discolored roof tile or insulation material, capturing the texture and material details in stark contrast against a black background to convey the serious, investigative nature of the facility's infrastructure problems.Deteriorating roof conditions at the Geauga County jail expose the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades.Chardon Today

Geauga County commissioners have approved the next step in a multi-million-dollar roof replacement project at the Geauga County Safety Center, as officials warn that the deteriorating roof is causing significant issues, including water leaks that are affecting jail operations and damaging electronic equipment. The initial $1 million project estimate has risen to around $3.5 million after inspections revealed more extensive damage beneath the surface.

Why it matters

The Geauga County Safety Center houses both the county jail and the sheriff's office, so the deteriorating roof conditions are impacting critical public safety operations. The roof project has been in development for over a year, but the worsening situation is raising concerns about the facility's ability to function properly and the need to address the problem quickly.

The details

Commissioners authorized the submission of project plans to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction for a state review, a required step before construction can begin. Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand said the leaking roof is causing water to drip inside the facility, forcing the closure of one section of the jail at times. Project manager Charles Tkatch reported that testing found widespread water damage, with about 90% of the coverboard and 80% of the lower insulation layers being wet, indicating significant water intrusion that will continue to worsen over time.

  • The roof project has been in development for more than a year.
  • Commissioners approved the next step in the project on Tuesday, April 2, 2026.

The players

Geauga County Commissioners

The governing body of Geauga County, Ohio, who are overseeing the roof replacement project at the Geauga County Safety Center.

Scott Hildenbrand

The Geauga County Sheriff, who has reported on the deteriorating conditions of the roof and its impact on jail operations.

Charles Tkatch

The project manager for the Geauga County Maintenance Department, who provided details on the extensive water damage found during testing.

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What they’re saying

“'When it rains outside, it rains inside. Not only is it raining or leaking into the building, it's leaking on some of the electronic equipment. There was a period of time where we had to close off one section of the jail because it was leaking so bad.'”

— Scott Hildenbrand, Geauga County Sheriff

“'About 90% of the coverboard, which is below the built-up roof, was wet, and when you went down to the insulation, the lower layers were about 80%. So on those two areas, you had significant water intrusion that over time will continue to leak and cause mold and moisture.'”

— Charles Tkatch, Project Manager, Geauga County Maintenance Department

What’s next

Officials did not provide a firm timeline for when the roof replacement work could begin, as they are still awaiting state review of the project plans.

The takeaway

The deteriorating conditions of the Geauga County Safety Center's roof have become a critical issue, forcing the closure of sections of the jail and raising concerns about the facility's ability to function properly. The multi-million-dollar roof replacement project is necessary to address the widespread water damage and prevent further deterioration, but the timeline for starting construction remains uncertain.