(128th General Assembly)
(Substitute Senate Bill Number 85)



AN ACT
To enact sections 9.29, 735.054, 6101.161, 6103.101, 6115.201, and 6119.101 of the Revised Code to authorize certain political subdivisions to contract for engineering, repair, sustainability, water quality management, and maintenance of a water storage tank through a professional service contract under specified conditions.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio:

SECTION 1. That sections 9.29, 735.054, 6101.161, 6103.101, 6115.201, and 6119.101 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 9.29.  (A) The following political subdivisions may enter into, by direct negotiation or through the solicitation of requests for proposals or requests for qualifications, a multi-year, asset management professional service contract for the engineering, repair, sustainability, water quality management, and maintenance of a water storage tank and appurtenant facilities owned, controlled, or operated by that political subdivision, but only if the contract complies with division (B) of this section:

(1) A board of county commissioners, board of directors of a conservancy district, board of directors of a sanitary district, or board of trustees of a regional water and sewer district;

(2) A municipal corporation through its director of public service, mayor, city manager, board of trustees of public affairs, village administrator, or other contracting officer, commission, board, or authority as authorized by ordinance of the municipal corporation's legislative authority.

(B) A contract entered into pursuant to division (A) of this section shall include provisions that do all of the following:

(1) Provide that the contracting political subdivision is not required to make total payments in a single year that exceed the excess of (a) the political subdivision's water utility charges over (b) the operating expenses of the water system payable from such charges and the principal, interest, and other debt charges, including reserves and coverage requirements, for outstanding debt due in that year;

(2) Require that the work performed be done under the supervision of a professional engineer licensed under Chapter 4733. of the Revised Code, who certifies that the work will be performed in compliance with all applicable codes and engineering standards;

(3) Provide that if, on the date of commencement of the contract, the water tank or appurtenant facilities require engineering, repair, sustainability, water quality management, or service in order to bring the tank or facilities into compliance with federal, state, or local requirements, the party contracting with the political subdivision must provide the engineering, repair, sustainability, water quality management, or service. The cost of the work necessary to ensure such compliance shall be itemized separately and may be charged to the political subdivision in payments spread over a period of not less than three years from the date of commencement of the contract. The charges shall be paid after provision is made to pay operating expenses and the principal, interest, and other debt service charges, including reserves and coverage requirements for outstanding debt due in that year.

Sec. 735.054.  Notwithstanding sections 715.18, 731.14, 731.141, 733.22, and 735.05 of the Revised Code, any municipal corporation that may be required by law to award contracts in the manner set forth in such sections may comply with section 9.29 of the Revised Code regarding any contract for the engineering, repair, sustainability, water quality management, and maintenance of a water storage tank and appurtenant facilities.

Sec. 6101.161.  Notwithstanding section 6101.16 of the Revised Code, the board of directors of a conservancy district may comply with section 9.29 of the Revised Code regarding any contract for the engineering, repair, sustainability, water quality management, and maintenance of a water storage tank and appurtenant facilities.

Sec. 6103.101.  Notwithstanding sections 307.86 and 6103.10 of the Revised Code, the board of county commissioners may comply with section 9.29 of the Revised Code regarding any contract for the engineering, repair, sustainability, water quality management, and maintenance of a water storage tank and appurtenant facilities.

Sec. 6115.201.  Notwithstanding section 6115.20 of the Revised Code, the board of directors of a sanitary district may comply with section 9.29 of the Revised Code regarding any contract for the engineering, repair, sustainability, water quality management, and maintenance of a water storage tank and appurtenant facilities.

Sec. 6119.101.  Notwithstanding section 6119.10 of the Revised Code, the board of trustees of a regional water and sewer district may comply with section 9.29 of the Revised Code regarding any contract for the engineering, repair, sustainability, water quality management, and maintenance of a water storage tank and appurtenant facilities.

SECTION 2. Nothing in this act is intended to restrict the authority of a municipal corporation under Sections 3 and 4 of Article XVIII, Ohio Constitution.