130th Ohio General Assembly
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As Passed by the House

123rd General Assembly
Regular Session
1999-2000
Am. H. B. No. 187

REPRESENTATIVES OLMAN-JOLIVETTE-BOYD-BUCHY-CATES-CLANCY- GERBERRY-HARRIS-JACOBSON-KREBS-MAIER-MOTTLEY-O'BRIEN- ROMAN-SULZER-TAYLOR-TERWILLEGER-VAN VYVEN-WILLIAMS- YOUNG-OPFER-SCHULER-CALVERT-EVANS-BUEHRER-TIBERI- CORBIN-KRUPINSKI-PERZ-HARTNETT-VERICH-VESPER-HAINES- SCHURING-WILLAMOWSKI-BENDER-WINKLER


A BILL
To amend sections 109.14, 133.09, 309.09, 504.01, 504.02, 504.03, 504.04, 504.12, 504.13, 504.14, 504.16, 504.17, 504.18, 504.19, 505.261, 505.262, 505.264, 505.37, 505.701, 709.50, 711.05, 711.10, 713.22, 1901.026, 2921.421, 3737.46, 3767.03, 4301.28, 5543.01, 5543.09, 5549.02, and 5573.01 and to enact sections 504.20 and 5549.021 of the Revised Code to refer to townships that have adopted the limited self-government form of township government as "limited home rule government" townships, to make changes in the laws governing those townships, to permit any township, for specified purposes, to issue securities or change the provisions for issuing debt, to change the composition and voting practices of county planning commissions, and to change the Subdivision Law to give townships notice of proposed changes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:


Section 1. That sections 109.14, 133.09, 309.09, 504.01, 504.02, 504.03, 504.04, 504.12, 504.13, 504.14, 504.16, 504.17, 504.18, 504.19, 505.261, 505.262, 505.264, 505.37, 505.701, 709.50, 711.05, 711.10, 713.22, 1901.026, 2921.421, 3737.46, 3767.03, 4301.28, 5543.01, 5543.09, 5549.02, and 5573.01 be amended and sections 504.20 and 5549.021 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 109.14. When requested by them, the attorney general shall advise the prosecuting attorneys of the several counties respecting their duties in all complaints, suits, and controversies in which the state is, or may be a party, and shall advise the township law director of a township that has adopted the A limited self-government form of township HOME RULE government under Chapter 504. of the Revised Code.

Sec. 133.09. A (A) UNLESS IT IS A TOWNSHIP THAT HAS ADOPTED A LIMITED HOME RULE GOVERNMENT UNDER CHAPTER 504. OF THE REVISED CODE, A township shall not incur net indebtedness that exceeds an amount equal to five per cent of its tax valuation, and, except as specifically authorized by section 505.262 of the Revised Code or other laws, shall not incur any net indebtedness unless authorized by vote of the electors.

(B) A TOWNSHIP THAT HAS ADOPTED A LIMITED HOME RULE GOVERNMENT UNDER CHAPTER 504. of the Revised Code SHALL NOT INCUR NET INDEBTEDNESS THAT EXCEEDS AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO TEN AND ONE-HALF PER CENT OF ITS TAX VALUATION, OR INCUR WITHOUT A VOTE OF THE ELECTORS NET INDEBTEDNESS THAT EXCEEDS AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO FIVE AND ONE-HALF PER CENT OF THAT TAX VALUATION. IN CALCULATING THE NET INDEBTEDNESS OF A TOWNSHIP THAT HAS ADOPTED A LIMITED HOME RULE GOVERNMENT, NONE OF THE FOLLOWING SECURITIES SHALL BE CONSIDERED:

(1) SELF-SUPPORTING SECURITIES ISSUED FOR ANY PURPOSE;

(2) SECURITIES ISSUED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PURCHASING, CONSTRUCTING, IMPROVING, OR EXTENDING WATER OR SANITARY OR SURFACE AND STORM WATER SEWERAGE SYSTEMS OR FACILITIES, OR A COMBINATION OF THOSE SYSTEMS OR FACILITIES, TO THE EXTENT THAT AN AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO WITH ANOTHER SUBDIVISION REQUIRES THE OTHER SUBDIVISION TO PAY TO THE TOWNSHIP AMOUNTS EQUIVALENT TO DEBT CHARGES ON THE SECURITIES;

(3) SECURITIES THAT ARE NOT GENERAL OBLIGATIONS OF THE TOWNSHIP;

(4) VOTED SECURITIES ISSUED FOR THE PURPOSES OF REDEVELOPMENT TO THE EXTENT THAT THEIR PRINCIPAL AMOUNT DOES NOT EXCEED AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO TWO PER CENT OF THE TAX VALUATION OF THE TOWNSHIP;

(5) SECURITIES ISSUED FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACQUIRING OR CONSTRUCTING ROADS, HIGHWAYS, BRIDGES, OR VIADUCTS, OR FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACQUIRING OR MAKING OTHER HIGHWAY PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS, TO THE EXTENT THAT THE RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF THE SECURITIES INCLUDES A COVENANT TO APPROPRIATE FROM MONEY DISTRIBUTED TO THE TOWNSHIP UNDER CHAPTER 4501., 4503., 4504., OR 5735. of the Revised Code A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT TO COVER DEBT CHARGES ON AND FINANCING COSTS RELATING TO THE SECURITIES AS THEY BECOME DUE;

(6) SECURITIES ISSUED FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION MEASURES UNDER SECTION 505.264 of the Revised Code.

(C) In calculating the net indebtedness of a ANY township, no obligation incurred under division (B) of section 513.17 or under section 505.261, 505.264 or, 505.265, OR 505.37 of the Revised Code shall be considered.

Sec. 309.09. (A) The prosecuting attorney shall be the legal adviser of the board of county commissioners, board of elections, and all other county officers and boards, including all tax-supported public libraries, and any of them may require written opinions or instructions from the prosecuting attorney in matters connected with their official duties. The prosecuting attorney shall prosecute and defend all suits and actions which any such officer or board directs or to which it is a party, and no county officer may employ any other counsel or attorney at the expense of the county, except as provided in section 305.14 of the Revised Code.

(B) The prosecuting attorney shall be the legal adviser for all township officers, boards, and commissions, unless the township has adopted the A limited self-government form of township HOME RULE government pursuant to Chapter 504. of the Revised Code and has not entered into a contract to have the prosecuting attorney serve as the township law director, in which case the township law director, whether serving full-time or part-time, shall be the legal adviser for all township officers, boards, and commissions. When the board of township trustees finds it advisable or necessary to have additional legal counsel, it may employ an attorney other than the township law director or the prosecuting attorney of the county, either for a particular matter or on an annual basis, to represent the township and its officers, boards, and commissions in their official capacities and to advise them on legal matters. No such counsel or attorney may be employed, except on the order of the board of township trustees, duly entered upon its journal, in which the compensation to be paid for such THE legal services shall be fixed. Such THE compensation shall be paid from the township fund.

Nothing in this division confers any of the powers or duties of a prosecuting attorney under section 309.08 of the Revised Code upon a township law director.

(C) Whenever the board of county commissioners employs an attorney other than the prosecuting attorney of the county, without the authorization of the court of common pleas as provided in section 305.14 of the Revised Code, either for a particular matter or on an annual basis, to represent the board of county commissioners in its official capacity and to advise it on legal matters, the board of county commissioners shall enter upon its journal an order of the board in which the compensation to be paid for such THE legal services shall be fixed. The compensation shall be paid from the county general fund. The total compensation paid, in any year, by the board of county commissioners for legal services under this division shall not exceed the total annual compensation of the prosecuting attorney for that county.

(D) The prosecuting attorney and the board of county commissioners jointly may contract with a board of park commissioners under section 1545.07 of the Revised Code for the prosecuting attorney to provide legal services to the park district the board of park commissioners operates. All moneys received pursuant to such a THE contract shall be deposited into the prosecuting attorney's legal services fund, which shall be established in the county treasury of each county in which such a THE contract exists. Moneys in that fund may be appropriated only to the prosecuting attorney for the purpose of providing legal services under a contract entered into under this division.


Sec. 504.01. A TOWNSHIP THAT MEETS THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THIS SECTION MAY ADOPT A LIMITED HOME RULE GOVERNMENT IN THE MANNER PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION.

(A) IF A TOWNSHIP HAS A POPULATION OF AT LEAST FIVE THOUSAND BUT LESS THAN FIFTEEN THOUSAND IN THE UNINCORPORATED TERRITORY OF THE TOWNSHIP, THE board of township trustees, by a majority vote, may adopt a resolution causing the board of elections to submit to the electors of the unincorporated area of the township the question of whether the township should adopt the A limited self-government form of township HOME RULE government under which it exercises limited powers of local self-government and limited police powers, as authorized by this chapter. THE QUESTION SHALL BE VOTED UPON AT THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION OCCURRING AT LEAST SEVENTY-FIVE DAYS AFTER CERTIFICATION OF THE RESOLUTION TO THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

(B) IF A TOWNSHIP HAS A POPULATION OF FIFTEEN THOUSAND OR MORE IN THE UNINCORPORATED TERRITORY OF THE TOWNSHIP, THE BOARD OF TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES, AFTER AT LEAST ONE PUBLIC HEARING, MAY DO EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING:

(1) BY A UNANIMOUS VOTE, ADOPT A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A LIMITED HOME RULE GOVERNMENT UNDER WHICH THE TOWNSHIP EXERCISES LIMITED POWERS OF LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT AND LIMITED POLICE POWERS AS AUTHORIZED BY THIS CHAPTER. THE RESOLUTION SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF ITS ADOPTION UNLESS WITHIN THAT THIRTY-DAY PERIOD THERE IS PRESENTED TO THE BOARD OF TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES A PETITION, SIGNED BY A NUMBER OF REGISTERED ELECTORS RESIDING IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF THE TOWNSHIP EQUAL TO AT LEAST TEN PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VOTE CAST FOR ALL CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR IN THAT AREA AT THE MOST RECENT GENERAL ELECTION AT WHICH A GOVERNOR WAS ELECTED, REQUESTING THE BOARD OF TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES TO SUBMIT THE QUESTION OF ESTABLISHING A LIMITED HOME RULE GOVERNMENT TO THE ELECTORS OF THAT AREA FOR APPROVAL OR REJECTION AT A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON THE DAY OF THE NEXT PRIMARY OR GENERAL ELECTION OCCURRING AT LEAST SEVENTY-FIVE DAYS AFTER THE PETITION IS PRESENTED. EACH PART OF THE PETITION SHALL MEET THE REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 3501.38 of the Revised Code. UPON TIMELY RECEIPT OF THE PETITION, THE BOARD OF TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES SHALL ADOPT A RESOLUTION CAUSING THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS TO SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS OF THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF THE TOWNSHIP THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE TOWNSHIP SHOULD ADOPT A LIMITED HOME RULE GOVERNMENT.

(2) BY A MAJORITY VOTE, ADOPT A RESOLUTION CAUSING THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS TO SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS OF THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF THE TOWNSHIP THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE TOWNSHIP SHOULD ADOPT A LIMITED HOME RULE GOVERNMENT UNDER WHICH IT EXERCISES LIMITED POWERS OF LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT AND LIMITED POLICE POWERS, AS AUTHORIZED BY THIS CHAPTER. THE QUESTION SHALL BE VOTED UPON AT THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION OCCURRING AT LEAST SEVENTY-FIVE DAYS AFTER CERTIFICATION OF THE RESOLUTION TO THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

IF THE POPULATION OF THE UNINCORPORATED TERRITORY OF ANY TOWNSHIP THAT ADOPTS A LIMITED HOME RULE GOVERNMENT UNDER DIVISION (B) OR (D) OF THIS SECTION IS FIFTEEN THOUSAND OR MORE, THE TOWNSHIP SHALL BE CALLED AN "URBAN TOWNSHIP."

(C) TOWNSHIPS WITH A POPULATION OF LESS THAN FIVE THOUSAND IN THE UNINCORPORATED TERRITORY OF THE TOWNSHIP ARE NOT PERMITTED TO ADOPT A LIMITED HOME RULE GOVERNMENT.

The (D) IF A TOWNSHIP MEETS THE POPULATION REQUIREMENTS OF DIVISION (A) OR (B) OF THIS SECTION, THE electors of the unincorporated area of a THE township may petition the board of township trustees to adopt a resolution causing the board of elections to submit to the electors the question of whether the township should adopt the A limited self-government form of HOME RULE government. Upon receipt of a petition signed by ten per cent of the electors of the unincorporated area of the township, as determined by the total number of votes cast in that territory AREA for the office of governor at the preceding MOST RECENT general election for that office, the board of township trustees of the township shall adopt such a THE resolution. The question shall be voted upon at the next general election occurring at least seventy-five days after the certification of the resolution to the board of elections.

Sec. 504.02. (A) After certification of a resolution as provided in DIVISION (A), (B), OR (D) OF section 504.01 of the Revised Code, the board of elections shall submit the question of whether to adopt the A limited self-government form of township HOME RULE government to the electors of the unincorporated area of the township, and the ballot language shall be substantially as follows:

"Shall the township of ........... (name) adopt the A limited self-government (also known as home rule) form of township government, under which form GOVERNMENT the board of township trustees, by resolution, may exercise limited powers of local self-government and limited police powers?
......For adoption of the A limited self-government (also known as home rule) form of government
......Against adoption of the A limited self-government (also known as home rule) form of government"

(B) At least forty-five days before the election on this question the board of township trustees shall have notice of the election and a description of the proposed limited self-government form of HOME RULE government published in a newspaper of general circulation in the township for three consecutive weeks and have the notice and description posted in five conspicuous places in the unincorporated area of the township.

(C) If a majority of the votes cast on the proposition of adopting the A limited self-government form of township HOME RULE government is in the affirmative, such form THAT GOVERNMENT is adopted and becomes the form of government of the township on the first day of January immediately following the election.

Sec. 504.03. (A)(1) If the A limited self-government form of township HOME RULE government is adopted pursuant to section 504.02 of the Revised Code, it shall remain in effect for at least three years except as otherwise provided in division (B) of this section. At the end of that period, if the board of township trustees determines that such form of THAT government is not in the best interests of the township, it may adopt a resolution causing the board of elections to submit to the electors of the unincorporated area of the township the question of whether the township should continue the limited self-government form of township HOME RULE government. The question shall be voted upon at the next general election occurring at least seventy-five days after the certification of the resolution to the board of elections. After certification of such a THE resolution, the board of elections shall submit the question to the electors of the unincorporated area of the township, and the ballot language shall be substantially as follows:

"Shall the township of ........... (name) continue the limited self-government (also known as home rule) form of township government, under which it is operating?
For continuation of the limited self-government (also known as home rule) form of government
Against continuation of the limited self-government (also known as home rule) form of government"

(2) At least forty-five days before the election on the question of continuing the limited self-government form of HOME RULE government, the board of township trustees shall have notice of the election published in a newspaper of general circulation in the township for three consecutive weeks and have the notice posted in five conspicuous places in the unincorporated area of the township.

(B) The electors of a township that has adopted the A limited self-government form of HOME RULE government, at any time may propose AT ANY TIME by initiative petition, in accordance with section 504.14 of the Revised Code, a resolution submitting to the electors in the unincorporated area of the township, in an election, the question set forth in division (A)(1) of this section.

(C) If a majority of the votes cast under division (A) or (B) of this section on the proposition of continuing the limited self-government form of township HOME RULE government is in the negative, such form of THAT government is terminated effective on the first day of January immediately following the election, and the A limited self-government form of HOME RULE government shall not be adopted in the unincorporated area of the township pursuant to section 504.02 of the Revised Code for at least three years after that date.

(D) If the A limited self-government form of township HOME RULE government is terminated pursuant to this section, the board of township trustees immediately shall adopt a resolution repealing all resolutions adopted pursuant to this chapter that are not authorized by any other section of the Revised Code outside this chapter, effective on the first day of January immediately following the election described in division (A) or (B) of this section. However, no resolution adopted under this division shall affect or impair the obligations of the township under any security issued or contracts entered into by the township in connection with the financing of any water supply facility OR SEWER IMPROVEMENT under sections 504.18 and 504.19 TO 504.20 of the Revised Code or the authority of the township to collect or enforce any assessments, or other revenues constituting security for or source of payments of debt service charges of such THOSE securities.

Sec. 504.04. (A) A township that adopts the A limited self-government form of HOME RULE government, by resolution, may do all of the following BY RESOLUTION, provided that any such resolution OF THESE RESOLUTIONS, other than a resolution to supply water OR SEWER SERVICES in accordance with sections 504.18 and 504.19 TO 504.20 of the Revised Code, may be enforced only by the imposition of civil fines as authorized in this chapter:

(1) Exercise all powers of local self-government within the unincorporated area of the township, other than powers that are in conflict with general laws, except that the township shall comply with the requirements and prohibitions of this chapter, and shall enact no taxes other than those authorized by general law, and except that no resolution adopted pursuant to this chapter shall encroach upon the powers, duties, and privileges of elected township officers or change, alter, combine, eliminate, or otherwise modify the form or structure of the township government unless the change is required by this chapter;

(2) Adopt and enforce within the unincorporated area of the township such local police, sanitary, and other similar regulations as THAT are not in conflict with general laws or otherwise prohibited by division (B) of this section;

(3) Supply water AND SEWER SERVICES to users within the unincorporated area of the township in accordance with sections 504.18 and 504.19 TO 504.20 of the Revised Code.

(B) No resolution adopted pursuant to this chapter shall DO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

(1) Create a criminal offense or impose criminal penalties, EXCEPT AS AUTHORIZED BY DIVISION (A) OF THIS SECTION;

(2) Impose civil fines other than as authorized by this chapter;

(3) Establish or revise subdivision regulations, road construction standards, sewer regulations, urban sediment rules, or storm water and drainage regulations;

(4) Establish or revise building standards, building codes, and other standard codes except as provided in section 504.13 of the Revised Code;

(5) Increase, decrease, or otherwise alter the powers or duties of a township under any other chapter of the Revised Code relative PERTAINING to agriculture or the conservation or development of natural resources;

(6) Establish regulations affecting hunting, trapping, fishing, or the possession, use, or sale of firearms;

(7) Establish or revise water OR SEWER regulations, except in accordance with sections 504.18 and 504.19 of the Revised Code.

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as affecting the powers of counties with regard to the subjects listed in divisions (B)(3) to (5) of this section.

(C) Under the A limited self-government form of township HOME RULE government, all officers shall have the qualifications, and be nominated, elected, or appointed, as provided in Chapter 505. of the Revised Code, except that the board of township trustees shall appoint a full-time or part-time law director pursuant to section 504.15 of the Revised Code.

(D) In case of conflict between resolutions enacted by a board of township trustees and municipal ordinances or resolutions, the ordinance or resolution enacted by the municipal corporation prevails. In case of conflict between resolutions enacted by a board of township trustees and any county resolution, the resolution enacted by the board of township trustees prevails.

Sec. 504.12. No resolution and no section or numbered or lettered division of a section shall be revised or amended unless the new resolution contains the entire resolution, section, or division as revised or amended, and the resolution, section, or division so amended shall be repealed. This requirement does not prevent the amendment of a resolution by the addition of a new section, or division, and in this case the full text of the former resolution need not be set forth, nor does this section prevent repeals by implication. Except in the case of a codification or recodification of resolutions, a separate vote shall be taken on each resolution proposed to be amended. Resolutions that have been introduced and have received their first reading or their first and second readings, but have not been voted on for passage, may be amended or revised by a majority vote of the members of the board of township trustees, and the amended or revised resolution need not receive additional readings.

The board of township trustees of a limited self-government HOME RULE township may revise, codify, and publish in book form, the resolutions of the township in the same manner as provided in section 731.23 of the Revised Code for municipal corporations. Resolutions adopted by the board shall be published in the same manner as provided by sections 731.21, 731.22, 731.24, 731.25, and 731.26 of the Revised Code for municipal corporations, except that they shall be published in newspapers circulating within the township. The clerk of the township shall perform the duties that the clerk of the legislative authority of a municipal corporation is required to perform under those sections.

Sec. 504.13. (A) The EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN DIVISION (B) OF THIS SECTION, THE board of township trustees of a township that adopts the A limited self-government form of HOME RULE government may ADOPT, by resolution, adopt building codes and other standard codes promulgated by the state, or any department, board, or other agency of the state, or any code prepared and promulgated by a public or private organization that publishes a model or standard code, including, but not limited to, a plumbing code, electrical code, refrigeration machinery code, piping code, boiler code, heating code, air conditioning code, or any code pertaining to fire, fire hazards, and fire prevention. Any codes adopted pursuant to this section shall be adopted in the manner provided for in section 505.75 of the Revised Code and shall be made available as required in section 505.76 of the Revised Code.

(B)(1) In a county in which the board of county commissioners adopts a code as described in division (A) of this section, no NO township that adopts the limited self-government HOME RULE form of government shall adopt such a code DESCRIBED IN DIVISION (A) OF THIS SECTION IN ANY COUNTY THAT HAS ADOPTED A CODE DEALING WITH THE SAME MATTER TO BE REGULATED.

(2) If a board of township trustees in a township that adopts the A limited self-government form of HOME RULE government adopts a code as described in division (A) of this section and the board of county commissioners of the county in which the township is located subsequently adopts a code dealing with the same matter to be regulated, the code adopted by the board of township trustees shall be of no effect one year after the effective date of the code adopted by the board of county commissioners or at an earlier date, as determined by the board of township trustees.

Sec. 504.14. In a township that adopts the A limited self-government form of HOME RULE government, resolutions may be proposed by initiative petition by the electors in the unincorporated area of the township and adopted by election by these electors, and resolutions adopted by the board of township trustees may be submitted to these electors for their approval or rejection by referendum, under the same circumstances and in the same manner as provided by sections 731.28 to 731.40 of the Revised Code for municipal corporations, except that BOTH OF THE FOLLOWING APPLY:

(A) Initiative and referendum petitions shall be filed with the township clerk, who shall perform those THE duties imposed under such THOSE sections upon the city auditor or village clerk.

(B) Initiative and referendum petitions shall contain the signatures of not less than ten per cent of the total number of electors in the unincorporated area of the township who voted for the office of governor at the preceding MOST RECENT general election for that office in that area of the township.

Sec. 504.16. (A) Each township that adopts the A limited self-government form of township HOME RULE government shall promptly do one of the following:

(1) Establish a police district pursuant to section 505.48 of the Revised Code, except that the district shall include all of the unincorporated area of the township and no other territory;

(2) Establish a joint township police district pursuant to section 505.481 of the Revised Code;

(3) Contract pursuant to section 311.29, 505.43, or 505.50 of the Revised Code to obtain police protection services, including the enforcement of township resolutions adopted under this chapter, or ON a regular basis.

(B) A township that has taken an action described in division (A) of this section before adopting the A limited self-government form of township HOME RULE government need not take any other such action upon adopting that form GOVERNMENT.

(C) The requirement that a township take one of the actions described in divisions (A)(1), (2), and (3) of this section does not prevent a township that acts under division (A)(1) or (2) of this section from contracting under division (A)(3) of this section to obtain additional police protection services on a regular basis.

Sec. 504.17. The establishment of the A limited self-government form of township HOME RULE government does not affect any act done, ratified, or affirmed, or any contract or other right or obligation accrued or established, or any action, prosecution, or proceeding, civil or criminal, pending at the time this change in form of government takes effect. The establishment of the A limited self-government form of township HOME RULE government does not affect any cause of action, prosecutions, or proceedings existing at the time it takes effect. Rights that attach to any act of the township, and actions, prosecutions, or proceedings may be prosecuted and continued, or instituted and prosecuted against, by, or before the department having jurisdiction or power of the subject matter to which such THE right, action, prosecution, or proceedings pertain.

All rules and orders lawfully promulgated prior to the establishment of the A limited self-government form of township HOME RULE government in the township continue in force and effect until amended or rescinded in accordance with this chapter.

Sec. 504.18. (A) As used in this section and in section SECTIONS 504.19 AND 504.20 of the Revised Code, "water supply facilities" means all buildings, facilities, and pipelines acquired, constructed, or operated by or leased to a township, or to be acquired, constructed, or operated by or leased to a township, that the board of township trustees considers necessary for the storage, transportation, or treatment of water resources and the operation of facilities which THAT supply water, together with all property rights, easements, and interests in real or personal property that may be required for the operation of the facilities.

(B) For the purpose of supplying water OR SEWER SERVICES to users within the unincorporated area of the township, the board of township trustees by resolution may acquire, construct, maintain, improve, repair, operate, and pay all or any part of the costs of water supply facilities. The board may provide such A supply of water OR SEWER SERVICES by contract with any municipal corporation, COUNTY SEWER DISTRICT, OR REGIONAL WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT or any person, firm, or private corporation furnishing a public water supply OR SEWER SERVICES within or outside its THE township. If the best interests of the township and the users of the water supply facility so require, the board may sell or otherwise dispose of the water supply facility.

(C) To pay all or any part of the costs of A water supply facilities OR SEWER SERVICES UNDER THIS SECTION OR SECTION 504.19 of the Revised Code, the board OF TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES by resolution may levy special assessments upon lots and lands in the township benefiting from the water supply facilities OR SEWER IMPROVEMENTS and may issue unvoted securities in anticipation of the levy or collection of those special assessments in accordance with Chapter 133. of the Revised Code. At the discretion of the board, assessments may be levied by one of the following methods:

(1) By a percentage of the tax value of the property assessed;

(2) In proportion to the benefits that result from the improvement IMPROVEMENTS;

(3) By the front footage of the property bounding and abutting the improvements.

(D) For the purpose of paying costs of constructing or otherwise improving a water supply facility and paying debt service charges on voted or unvoted securities of the township issued for such purposes, and for paying costs of operating and maintaining a water supply facility, the board may charge, alter and collect rents and other charges for the use of services of a water supply facility, which rents and charges if not paid when due may be certified by the township clerk to the county auditor, who shall place the same on the tax duplicate to be collected as other taxes. Those rents and charges are a lien on the property served from and after the date of entry by the county auditor on the tax duplicate.

(E) The costs of constructing or otherwise improving a water supply facility may include any of the following:

(1) The purchase price of real estate or any interest therein;

(2) The cost of preliminary and other surveys;

(3) The cost of preparing plans, specifications, profiles, and estimates;

(4) The cost of printing, serving, and publishing notices and any required legislation;

(5) The cost of all special proceedings;

(6) The cost of labor and material, whether furnished by contract or otherwise;

(7) Interest on bonds or notes issued in anticipation of the levy or collection of special assessments;

(8) The total amount of damages resulting from the project that are assessed in favor of any owners of lands affected by the project and any interest thereon;

(9) The cost incurred in connection with the preparation, levy, and collection of the special assessments, including legal expenses incurred by reason of the project;

(10) All contract construction costs;

(11) Incidental costs connected with the project.

(F) The board may make any contract for the purchase of supplies or material or for labor for any work in connection with the water supply facilities in the manner provided in section 6119.10 of the Revised Code.

(G) The board may adopt, amend, rescind, publish, administer, and enforce rules for the construction, maintenance, operation, protection, and use of the water supply facilities as are considered necessary and advisable. The rules shall not be inconsistent with the laws of the state or the rules of the environmental protection agency. The board may enforce the rules by mandamus, injunction, or other legal remedy.

Sec. 504.19. (A) The board of township trustees may prepare and adopt a general plan of water supply OR SEWER SERVICES. After the general plan has been approved by the board, the BOARD IMMEDIATELY SHALL NOTIFY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IF TERRITORY SERVED BY A COUNTY WATER SUPPLY FACILITY OR A COUNTY SEWER DISTRICT INCLUDES TERRITORY TO BE COVERED BY THE PLAN, THE LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY OF A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION THAT OPERATES A WATER SUPPLY OR SEWER SYSTEM IN ANY OF THE TERRITORY TO BE COVERED BY THE PLAN, AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF ANY EXISTING REGIONAL WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT THAT INCLUDES ANY TERRITORY TO BE COVERED BY THE PLAN, OF THE TOWNSHIP'S INTENTION TO PROVIDE WATER SUPPLY OR SEWER SERVICES AND SHALL DESCRIBE THE AREA WHERE THE TOWNSHIP PROPOSES TO PROVIDE WATER SUPPLY OR SEWER SERVICES. THE NOTIFIED BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY OF A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION, AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE REGIONAL WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT THEN HAVE THIRTY DAYS FROM THE DATE OF NOTIFICATION TO COMMENT AND OBJECT IN WRITING TO THE TOWNSHIP'S PROVISION OF WATER SUPPLY OR SEWER SERVICES. AN OBJECTION MAY BE BASED ON ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING:

(1) THE COUNTY, MUNICIPAL CORPORATION, OR SPECIAL DISTRICT ALREADY PROVIDES THE PROPOSED WATER SUPPLY OR SEWER SERVICES TO THE AREA TO BE SERVED.

(2) THE COUNTY, MUNICIPAL CORPORATION, OR SPECIAL DISTRICT HAS IN ITS SERVICE PLAN PROVISIONS TO PROVIDE THE PROPOSED WATER SUPPLY OR SEWER SERVICES IN THE FUTURE TO THE PROPOSED AREA WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME.

WITHIN FIFTEEN DAYS AFTER RECEIVING OBJECTIONS, THE BOARD OF TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES MAY REQUEST IN WRITING SUBMITTED TO THE OBJECTING PARTY THAT THE ISSUE OF THE TOWNSHIP'S PROVISION OF THE PROPOSED WATER SUPPLY OR SEWER SERVICES BE MEDIATED. THE MEDIATION SHALL BE PERFORMED EITHER BY THE OHIO COMMISSION ON DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT OR BY HAVING EACH PARTY SELECT A MEDIATOR AND HAVING THOSE TWO MEDIATORS SELECT A THIRD MEDIATOR WHO, TOGETHER WITH THE OTHER TWO MEDIATORS, SHALL CONDUCT THE MEDIATION.

WITHIN FORTY-FIVE DAYS AFTER THE REQUEST FOR MEDIATION IS SUBMITTED, ANY MEDIATION SHALL BE COMPLETED, AND ANY AGREEMENTS REACHED BETWEEN THE PARTIES SHALL BE FILED IN WRITING WITH THE PARTIES. THEREAFTER, THE RESPECTIVE GOVERNING BOARDS MAY ADOPT THE AGREEMENTS, MAKING THOSE AGREEMENTS BINDING ON THE PARTIES, OR, IF ONE OR MORE OF THE AGREED-UPON POINTS IS REJECTED, THAT REJECTION SHALL BE CONSIDERED A FINAL DECISION OF A GOVERNING BOARD FOR PURPOSES OF CHAPTER 2506. OF THE REVISED CODE, AND THE BOARD OF TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES MAY FILE AN APPEAL UNDER THAT CHAPTER REGARDING ITS PROVISION OF THE PROPOSED WATER SUPPLY OR SEWER SERVICES. IN ADDITION TO ANY FINDINGS OF THE COURT PROVIDED IN SECTION 2506.04 OF THE REVISED CODE, THE COURT MAY DETERMINE THAT THE COUNTY, MUNICIPAL CORPORATION, OR SPECIAL DISTRICT HAS NOT MET THE CRITERIA SPECIFIED IN DIVISIONS (A)(1) AND (2) OF THIS SECTION AND, THEREFORE, THE TOWNSHIP MAY PROVIDE ITS PROPOSED WATER SUPPLY OR SEWER SERVICES OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE, MAY DETERMINE THAT THE TOWNSHIP COULD PROVIDE THE PROPOSED WATER SUPPLY OR SEWER SERVICES MORE EXPEDIENTLY THAN THE COUNTY, MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS, OR SPECIAL DISTRICT WITH NO SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN COST TO THE USERS OF THE WATER SUPPLY OR SEWER SERVICES AND, THEREFORE, ORDER THAT THE TOWNSHIP MAY PROVIDE ITS PROPOSED WATER SUPPLY OR SEWER SERVICES.

(B) ONCE THE BOARD HAS APPROVED A GENERAL PLAN OF WATER SUPPLY OR SEWER SERVICES UNDER DIVISION (A) OF THIS SECTION, THE board shall hire an engineer to prepare detailed plans, specifications, and estimates of the cost of the improvement IMPROVEMENTS, together with a tentative assessment of the cost based on such THE estimates. The tentative assessment shall be for the information of property owners, and shall not be certified to the county auditor for collection. The detailed plans, specifications, estimates of cost, and tentative assessment, as prepared by the engineer and approved by the board, shall be preserved in the office of the board and shall be open to inspection of all persons interested in the improvements.

(B) The (C) ONCE IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED UNDER DIVISION (A) OF THIS SECTION THAT A TOWNSHIP MAY PROVIDE ITS PROPOSED WATER SUPPLY OR SEWER SERVICES, THE board may condemn for the use of the township any public or private land, easement, rights, rights-of-way, franchises, or other property within or outside the township required by it for the accomplishment of its purposes according to the procedure set forth in sections 163.01 to 163.22 of the Revised Code. The engineer hired by the board may enter upon any public or private property for the purpose of making surveys and examinations necessary for the design or examination of water supply OR SEWER facilities. No person shall forbid or interfere with the engineer or his THE ENGINEER'S authorized assistants entering upon property for these purposes. If actual damage is done to property by the making of a survey and examination, the board shall pay the reasonable value of the damage to the owner of the property damaged, and the cost shall be included in the assessment upon the property benefited by the improvement.

(C)(D) As soon as all questions of compensation and damages have been determined for any water supply facilities OR SEWER SERVICES improvement project, the board shall cause to be made an estimated assessment, upon the lots and lands to be assessed, of such part of the compensation, damages, and costs of the improvement as is to be specially assessed according to the method specified by resolution of the board. The schedule of the assessments shall be filed with the township clerk for the inspection of interested persons. Before adopting the estimated assessment, the board shall cause written notice to be sent to the owners of all lots and lands to be assessed that the assessment has been made and is on file with the township clerk, and the date when objections to the assessment will be heard. Such objections OBJECTIONS shall be filed in writing with the board before the date of the hearing. If any objections are filed, the board shall hear them and act as an equalizing board, and may change the assessments if, in its opinion, any change is necessary to make the assessments just and equitable. The board shall adopt a resolution approving and confirming the assessments as reported to or modified by the board.

(D)(E) The resolution levying the assessments shall apportion the cost among the benefited lots and lands in the manner provided by the board by resolution. The board shall certify the amounts to be levied upon each lot or parcel of land to the county auditor, who shall enter the amounts on the tax duplicate, to be collected as other taxes. The principal shall be payable in not more than forty semiannual installments, as determined by the board. Any assessment in the amount of twenty-five dollars or less, or of which the unpaid balance is twenty-five dollars or less, shall be paid in full and not in installments, at the time the first or next installment otherwise would become due and payable. Assessments are a lien upon the respective lots or parcels of land assessed from the date of adoption of the resolution under division (C)(D) of this section. In the event that IF bonds are issued to pay the compensation, damages, and the costs of an improvement, the principal amount of the assessment shall be payable in such number of semiannual installments and in such amounts as the board determines to be necessary to provide a fund for the payment of the principal of and interest on the bonds and shall bear interest from the date of THE ISSUANCE OF THE BONDS and at the same rate as the bonds.

(E)(F) Any owner of property to be assessed for any water supply facilities OR SEWER SERVICES improvement project, or other person aggrieved by the action of the board in regard to any water supply facilities OR SEWER SERVICES improvement project, may appeal to the court of common pleas, in the manner prescribed by Chapter 2506. of the Revised Code.

(F)(G) When collected, the assessments shall be paid by the county auditor by warrant of the county treasurer into a special fund in the township treasury created for the purpose of constructing, improving, maintaining, and operating water supply facilities OR SEWER IMPROVEMENTS. The board may expend moneys from the fund only for the purposes for which the assessments were levied.

Sec. 504.20. (A) FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUPPLYING WATER AND PROVIDING SEWER SERVICES TO USERS WITHIN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF THE TOWNSHIP UNDER A PLAN ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 504.19 OF THE REVISED CODE, THE BOARD OF TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES BY RESOLUTION MAY ACQUIRE, CONSTRUCT, MAINTAIN, IMPROVE, REPAIR, OPERATE, AND PAY ALL OR ANY PART OF THE COSTS OF WATER SUPPLY FACILITIES OR SEWER IMPROVEMENTS. IF THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE TOWNSHIP AND THE USERS OF THE WATER SUPPLY FACILITIES OR SEWER SERVICES SO REQUIRE, THE BOARD MAY SELL OR OTHERWISE DISPOSE OF A WATER SUPPLY FACILITY OR SEWER IMPROVEMENT.

(B) TO COVER THE COSTS OF ACQUIRING, CONSTRUCTING, MAINTAINING, IMPROVING, REPAIRING, OR OPERATING A WATER SUPPLY FACILITY OR SEWER IMPROVEMENT, THE BOARD MAY ISSUE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE TOWNSHIP IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 133. OF THE REVISED CODE, FOR WHICH THE FULL FAITH AND CREDIT OF THE TOWNSHIP SHALL BE PLEDGED.

(C) FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING COSTS OF CONSTRUCTING OR OTHERWISE IMPROVING A WATER SUPPLY FACILITY OR SEWER IMPROVEMENT AND PAYING DEBT SERVICE CHARGES ON VOTED OR UNVOTED SECURITIES OF THE TOWNSHIP ISSUED FOR THOSE PURPOSES, AND FOR PAYING COSTS OF OPERATING, REPAIRING, AND MAINTAINING A WATER SUPPLY FACILITY OR SEWER IMPROVEMENT, THE BOARD MAY CHARGE, ALTER, AND COLLECT RENTS AND OTHER CHARGES FOR THE USE OF SERVICES OF A WATER SUPPLY FACILITY OR SEWER IMPROVEMENT, WHICH RENTS AND CHARGES IF NOT PAID WHEN DUE MAY BE CERTIFIED BY THE TOWNSHIP CLERK TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR, WHO SHALL PLACE THE SAME ON THE TAX DUPLICATE TO BE COLLECTED AS OTHER TAXES. THOSE RENTS AND CHARGES ARE A LIEN ON THE PROPERTY SERVED FROM AND AFTER THE DATE OF ENTRY BY THE COUNTY AUDITOR ON THE TAX DUPLICATE.

(D) THE COSTS OF CONSTRUCTING OR OTHERWISE IMPROVING A WATER SUPPLY FACILITY OR SEWER IMPROVEMENT MAY INCLUDE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

(1) THE PURCHASE PRICE OF REAL ESTATE OR ANY INTEREST IN REAL ESTATE;

(2) THE COST OF PRELIMINARY AND OTHER SURVEYS;

(3) THE COST OF PREPARING PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, PROFILES, AND ESTIMATES;

(4) THE COST OF PRINTING, SERVING, AND PUBLISHING NOTICES AND ANY REQUIRED LEGISLATION;

(5) THE COST OF ALL SPECIAL PROCEEDINGS;

(6) THE COST OF LABOR AND MATERIAL, WHETHER FURNISHED BY CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE;

(7) INTEREST ON BONDS OR NOTES ISSUED IN ANTICIPATION OF THE LEVY OR COLLECTION OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS;

(8) THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE PROJECT THAT ARE ASSESSED IN FAVOR OF ANY OWNERS OF LANDS AFFECTED BY THE PROJECT AND ANY INTEREST ON THOSE DAMAGES;

(9) THE COST INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH THE PREPARATION, LEVY, AND COLLECTION OF THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS, INCLUDING LEGAL EXPENSES INCURRED BY REASON OF THE PROJECT;

(10) ALL CONTRACT CONSTRUCTION COSTS;

(11) INCIDENTAL COSTS CONNECTED WITH THE PROJECT.

(E) THE BOARD MAY ADOPT, AMEND, RESCIND, PUBLISH, ADMINISTER, AND ENFORCE RULES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE, OPERATION, PROTECTION, AND USE OF WATER SUPPLY FACILITIES AND SEWER SERVICES, THAT ARE CONSIDERED NECESSARY AND ADVISABLE. THE RULES SHALL NOT BE INCONSISTENT WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OR THE RULES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY. THE BOARD MAY ENFORCE THE RULES BY MANDAMUS, INJUNCTION, OR OTHER LEGAL REMEDY.

Sec. 505.261. To A BOARD OF TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES MAY acquire suitable lands and materials, INCLUDING LANDSCAPE PLANTING AND OTHER SITE IMPROVEMENT MATERIALS AND PLAYGROUND, ATHLETIC, AND RECREATIONAL EQUIPMENT AND APPARATUS, to establish a township park pursuant to section 505.26 of the Revised Code, a board of township trustees AND FOR THOSE PURPOSES may accept a conveyance of, purchase for cash or by installment payments, enter into lease-purchase agreements for, lease with option to purchase, or lease the suitable lands and materials ISSUE, SUBJECT TO CHAPTER 133. OF THE REVISED CODE, SECURITIES AND OTHER PUBLIC OBLIGATIONS AS DEFINED IN DIVISION (GG) OF SECTION 133.01 OF THE REVISED CODE.

If the lands or materials are purchased, the board may pay for them over a period of four THIRTY years from the date of purchase, and may issue the notes SECURITIES of the township covering the deferred payments and payable at the times provided PURSUANT TO DIVISION (B)(3)(c) OF SECTION 133.20 OF THE REVISED CODE. IF MATERIALS, INCLUDING LANDSCAPE PLANTING OR OTHER SITE IMPROVEMENT MATERIALS AND PLAYGROUND, ATHLETIC, AND RECREATIONAL EQUIPMENT AND APPARATUS, ARE PURCHASED, THE BOARD MAY ISSUE SECURITIES OF THE TOWNSHIP FOR THAT PURPOSE HAVING A MAXIMUM MATURITY AS SPECIFIED IN DIVISION (B)(6)(e) OR (f) OF SECTION 133.20 OF THE REVISED CODE COVERING THE DEFERRED PAYMENTS. The notes SECURITIES may bear interest not to exceed the rate determined as provided in section 9.95 of the Revised Code. The notes SECURITIES shall not be included in the computation of the net indebtedness of the township under section 133.09 of the Revised Code. The

THE resolution authorizing the issuance of the notes SECURITIES shall provide for amounts sufficient to pay the interest on and principal of the notes SECURITIES. For this purpose, the board may expend funds from the township general fund, or the board may levy a tax, not to exceed one-half of one mill, on the taxable property of the township for a period not to exceed four years. The tax shall be collected as other taxes and appropriated to pay the interest on and principal of the notes. Not less than one-fourth of the purchase price shall be paid in cash at the time of purchase as provided in the contract and the remainder of the purchase price shall be paid in annual installments of not less than one-fourth of the total purchase price secured by notes of equal amounts SECURITIES. The notes SECURITIES shall contain an option for prepayment. The notes SECURITIES shall be offered for sale on the open market or may be given to the vendor or contractor if no sale is made on the open market.

The board shall have surveys and plats made of the lands acquired for a township park, and shall establish permanent monuments on the boundaries of the lands. The plats, when executed according to sections 711.01 to 711.38 of the Revised Code, shall be recorded in the office of the county recorder, and such records shall be admissible in evidence for the purpose of locating and ascertaining the true boundaries of the park. In furtherance of the use and enjoyment of the park lands controlled by it, the board may accept donations of money or other property, or may act as trustees of land, money, or other property, and use and administer them as stipulated by the donor, or as provided in the trust agreement. The terms of each donation or trust shall first be approved by the court of common pleas before acceptance by the board.

The board may receive and expend grants for park purposes from agencies and instrumentalities of the United States or of this state, and may enter into contracts or agreements with the agencies and instrumentalities, or with other townships, township park boards, municipal corporations, municipal park boards, counties, park districts, or other similar park authorities, to carry out the purposes for which the grants were furnished.

The board shall devise plans for the maintenance and improvement of the park and award all contracts for maintenance and improvement in the manner provided by the law governing township trustees in awarding contracts for public improvements. The board may appoint all necessary employees, fix their compensation, and prescribe their duties. The board may prohibit selling, giving away, or using any intoxicating liquors in the township park, and may pass bylaws and adopt rules for the government of the park and provide for their enforcement by fines and penalties.

Sec. 505.262. (A) Notwithstanding division (D) of section 505.37 of the Revised Code or any other statute of this state, the board of township trustees of any township may, by unanimous vote, MAY adopt a resolution allowing the township to contract for the purchase of equipment, buildings, and sites, or for the construction of buildings, for any lawful township purpose. The board may ISSUE, by resolution adopted by unanimous vote, issue the notes SECURITIES of the township to finance purchases and construction made pursuant to this division. The notes SECURITIES shall be signed by the board and attested by the signature of the township clerk, and shall be payable over a period not exceeding nine years THE MAXIMUM MATURITY OF THOSE SECURITIES IS SUBJECT TO THE LIMITATIONS IN SECTION 133.20 OF THE REVISED CODE. The notes SECURITIES shall bear interest not to exceed the rate determined as provided in section 9.95 of the Revised Code, and shall not be subject to Chapter 133. of the Revised Code. The resolution authorizing the issuance of the notes shall provide for levying and collecting annually by taxation, amounts sufficient to pay the interest on and principal of the notes. Not less than one-tenth of the purchase price or construction cost shall be paid in cash at the time of purchase, as provided in the contract, and the remainder of the purchase price or construction cost shall be paid in annual installments of not less than one-tenth of the total purchase price or construction cost, secured by notes of equal amounts. Notes in amounts greater than one-tenth of the total purchase price or construction cost may be issued. Notes may be issued for a period of nine years or less and, if for a period of less than nine years, the notes may be renewed from time to time, provided that any renewal shall be paid in full no later than nine years from the date when the initial notes were sold SECURITIES. The notes SECURITIES may contain a clause permitting prepayment at the option of the board. Notes SECURITIES shall be offered for sale on the open market or given to the vendor or contractor if no sale is made.

(B) No purchase or construction pursuant to division (A) of this section shall be undertaken unless the county auditor certifies that, if the purchase or construction is undertaken, the debt service charge for the purchase or construction in the first year, together with the debt service charge for that same year for any other purchase or construction already undertaken pursuant to division (A) of this section, does not exceed one-tenth of the township's total revenue from all sources. If the county auditor so certifies, in every year of the debt after the first year, the county budget commission shall include a debt charge in the township's annual tax budget submitted pursuant to sections 5705.01 to 5705.47 of the Revised Code sufficient to meet the annual debt incurred pursuant to division (A) of this section, if such debt charge is omitted from the budget.

Sec. 505.264. (A) As used in this section, "energy conservation measure" means an installation or modification of an installation in, or remodeling of, an existing building, to reduce energy consumption. It includes THE FOLLOWING:

(1) Insulation of the building structure and of systems within the building;

(2) Storm windows and doors, multiglazed windows and doors, heat-absorbing or heat-reflective glazed and coated window and door systems, additional glazing, reductions in glass area, and other window and door system modifications that reduce energy consumption;

(3) Automatic energy control systems;

(4) Heating, ventilating, or air conditioning system modifications or replacements;

(5) Caulking and weatherstripping;

(6) Replacement or modification of lighting fixtures to increase the energy efficiency of the system without increasing the overall illumination of a facility, unless such an increase in illumination is necessary to conform to the applicable state or local building code for the proposed lighting system;

(7) Energy recovery systems;

(8) Cogeneration systems that produce steam or forms of energy such as heat, as well as electricity, for use primarily within a building or complex of buildings;

(9) Any other modification, installation, or remodeling approved by the board of township trustees as an energy conservation measure.

(B) For the purpose of evaluating township buildings for energy conservation measures, a township may contract with an architect, professional engineer, energy services company, contractor, or other person experienced in the design and implementation of energy conservation measures for a report that analyzes the buildings' energy needs and presents recommendations for building installations, modifications of existing installations, or building remodeling that would significantly reduce energy consumption in the buildings owned by that township. The report shall include estimates of all costs of such THE installations, modifications, or remodeling, including costs of design, engineering, installation, maintenance, and repairs, and estimates of the amounts by which energy consumption could be reduced.

(C) A township desiring to implement energy conservation measures may proceed under either of the following methods:

(1) Using a report or any part of a report prepared under division (B) of this section, advertise for bids and comply with the bidding procedures set forth in sections 307.86 to 307.92 of the Revised Code;

(2) Request proposals from at least three vendors for the implementation of energy conservation measures. Prior to sending any installer of energy conservation measures a copy of any such request, the township shall advertise its intent to request proposals for the installation of energy conservation measures in a newspaper of general circulation in the township once a week for two consecutive weeks. The notice shall state that the township intends to request proposals for the installation of energy conservation measures; indicate the date, which shall be at least ten days after the second publication, on which the request for proposals will be mailed to installers of energy conservation measures; and state that any installer of energy conservation measures interested in receiving the request for proposal shall submit written notice to the township not later than noon of the day on which the request for proposal will be mailed.

Upon receiving the proposals the township shall analyze them and select the proposal or proposals most likely to result in the greatest energy savings considering the cost of the project and the township's ability to pay for the improvements with current revenues or by financing the improvements. The awarding of a contract to install energy conservation measures under division (C)(2) of this section shall be conditioned upon a finding by the township that the amount of money spent on energy savings measures is not likely to exceed the amount of money the township would save in energy and operating costs over ten years or a lesser period as determined by the township or, in the case of contracts for cogeneration systems, over five years or a lesser period as determined by the township. Nothing in this section prohibits a township from rejecting all proposals or from selecting more than one proposal.

(D) A board of township trustees may enter into an installment payment contract for the purchase and installation of energy conservation measures. Those ANY provisions of such THOSE installment payment contracts that deal with interest charges and financing terms shall not be subject to the competitive bidding procedures of section 307.86 of the Revised Code, and shall be on the following terms:

(1) Not less than one-tenth of the costs of the contract shall be paid within two years from the date of purchase.

(2) The remaining balance of the costs of the contract shall be paid within ten years from the date of purchase or, in the case of contracts for cogeneration systems, within five years from the date of purchase. UNLESS

Unless otherwise approved by a resolution of the board, an installment payment contract entered into by a board of township trustees under this section shall require the board to contract in accordance with the procedures set forth in section 307.86 of the Revised Code for the installation, modification, or remodeling of energy conservation measures pursuant to this section.

(E) The board may issue the notes SECURITIES of the township specifying the terms of the purchase and securing the deferred payments provided in this section, payable at the times provided and bearing interest at a rate not exceeding the rate determined as provided in section 9.95 of the Revised Code. THE MAXIMUM MATURITY OF THE SECURITIES SHALL BE AS PROVIDED IN DIVISION (B)(6)(g) OF SECTION 133.20 of the Revised Code. The notes SECURITIES may contain an option for prepayment and shall not be subject to Chapter 133. of the Revised Code. Revenues derived from local taxes or otherwise, for the purpose of conserving energy or for defraying the current operating expenses of the township, may be applied to the payment of interest and the retirement of such notes THE SECURITIES. The notes SECURITIES may be sold at private sale or given to the contractor under the installment payment contract authorized by division (D) of this section.

(F) Debt incurred under this section shall not be included in the calculation of the net indebtedness of a township under section 133.09 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 505.37. (A) The board of township trustees may establish all necessary rules to guard against the occurrence of fires and to protect the property and lives of the citizens against damage and accidents, and may, with the approval of the specifications by the prosecuting attorney, purchase or otherwise provide any fire apparatus, mechanical resuscitators, or other equipment, appliances, materials, fire hydrants, and water supply for fire-fighting purposes that seems advisable to the board. The board shall provide for the care and maintenance of fire equipment, and, for such THESE purposes, may purchase, lease, or construct and maintain necessary buildings, and it may establish and maintain lines of fire-alarm communications within the limits of the township. The board may employ one or more persons to maintain and operate fire-fighting equipment, or it may enter into an agreement with a volunteer fire company for the use and operation of fire-fighting equipment. The board may compensate the members of a volunteer fire company on any basis and in any amount that it considers equitable.

(B) The boards of township trustees of any two or more townships, or the legislative authorities of any two or more political subdivisions, or any combination thereof, may, through joint action, unite in the joint purchase, maintenance, use, and operation of fire-fighting equipment, or for any other purpose designated in sections 505.37 to 505.42 of the Revised Code, and may prorate the expense of the joint action on any terms that are mutually agreed upon.

(C) The board of township trustees of any township may, by resolution, whenever it is expedient and necessary to guard against the occurrence of fires or to protect the property and lives of the citizens against damages resulting from their occurrence, create a fire district of any portions of the township that it considers necessary. The board may purchase or otherwise provide any fire apparatus, appliances, materials, fire hydrants, and water supply for fire-fighting purposes, or may contract for the fire protection for the fire district as provided in section 9.60 of the Revised Code. The fire district so created shall be given a separate name by which it shall be known.

Additional unincorporated territory of the township may be added to a fire district upon the board's adoption of a resolution authorizing the addition. A municipal corporation that is within or adjoining the township may be added to a fire district upon the board's adoption of a resolution authorizing the addition and the municipal legislative authority's adoption of a resolution or ordinance requesting the addition of the municipal corporation to the fire district.

If the township fire district imposes a tax, additional unincorporated territory of the township or a municipal corporation that is within or adjoining the township shall become part of the fire district only after all of the following have occurred:

(1) Adoption by the board of township trustees of a resolution approving the expansion of the territorial limits of the district and, if the resolution proposes to add a municipal corporation, adoption by the municipal legislative authority of a resolution or ordinance requesting the addition of the municipal corporation to the district;

(2) Adoption by the board of township trustees of a resolution recommending the extension of the tax to the additional territory;

(3) Approval of the tax by the electors of the territory proposed for addition to the district.

Each resolution of the board adopted under division (C)(2) of this section shall state the name of the fire district, a description of the territory to be added, and the rate and termination date of the tax, which shall be the rate and termination date of the tax currently in effect in the fire district.

The board of trustees shall certify each resolution adopted under division (C)(2) of this section to the board of elections in accordance with section 5705.19 of the Revised Code. The election required under division (C)(3) of this section shall be held, canvassed, and certified in the manner provided for the submission of tax levies under section 5705.25 of the Revised Code, except that the question appearing on the ballot shall read:

"Shall the territory within ........................

(description of the proposed territory to be added)

be added to ..................................... fire district,

(name)

and a property tax at a rate of taxation not exceeding ...... (here insert tax rate) be in effect for .......... (here insert the number of years the tax is to be in effect or "a continuing period of time," as applicable)?"

If the question is approved by at least a majority of the electors voting on it, the joinder shall be effective as of the first day of July of the year following approval, and on that date, the township fire district tax shall be extended to the taxable property within the territory that has been added. If the territory that has been added is a municipal corporation and if it had adopted a tax levy for fire purposes, the levy is terminated on the effective date of the joinder.

Any municipal corporation may withdraw from a township fire district created under division (C) of this section by the adoption by the municipal legislative authority of a resolution or ordinance ordering withdrawal. On the first day of July of the year following the adoption of the resolution or ordinance of withdrawal, the municipal corporation withdrawing ceases to be a part of such THE district, and the power of the fire district to levy a tax upon taxable property in the withdrawing municipal corporation terminates, except that the fire district shall continue to levy and collect taxes for the payment of indebtedness within the territory of the fire district as it was composed at the time the indebtedness was incurred.

Upon the withdrawal of any municipal corporation from a township fire district created under division (C) of this section, the county auditor shall ascertain, apportion, and order a division of the funds on hand, moneys and taxes in the process of collection except for taxes levied for the payment of indebtedness, credits, and real and personal property, either in money or in kind, on the basis of the valuation of the respective tax duplicates of the withdrawing municipal corporation and the remaining territory of the fire district.

A board of township trustees may remove unincorporated territory of the township from the fire district upon the adoption of a resolution authorizing the removal. On the first day of July of the year following the adoption of such a THE resolution, the unincorporated township territory described in the resolution ceases to be a part of such THE district, and the power of the fire district to levy a tax upon taxable property in that territory terminates, except that the fire district shall continue to levy and collect taxes for the payment of indebtedness within the territory of the fire district as it was composed at the time the indebtedness was incurred.

(D) The board of township trustees of any township, the board of fire district trustees of a fire district created under section 505.371 of the Revised Code, or the legislative authority of any municipal corporation may purchase the necessary fire-fighting equipment, buildings, and sites for the township, fire district, or municipal corporation and pay for it over a period of nine years ISSUE SECURITIES FOR THAT PURPOSE WITH MAXIMUM MATURITIES AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 133.20 OF THE REVISED CODE. The board of township trustees, board of fire district trustees, or legislative authority may also construct any buildings necessary to house fire-fighting equipment and pay for the buildings over a period of nine years ISSUE SECURITIES FOR THAT PURPOSE WITH MAXIMUM MATURITIES AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 133.20 OF THE REVISED CODE. The board of township trustees, board of fire district trustees, or legislative authority may issue the notes SECURITIES of the township, fire district, or municipal corporation, signed by the board or designated officer of the municipal corporation and attested by the signature of the township, fire district, or municipal clerk, covering such ANY deferred payments and payable at the times provided, which notes SECURITIES shall bear interest not to exceed the rate determined as provided in section 9.95 of the Revised Code, and shall not be subject to Chapter 133. of the Revised Code. The legislation authorizing the issuance of the notes SECURITIES shall provide for levying and collecting annually by taxation, amounts sufficient to pay the interest on and principal of the notes. At least one-ninth of the purchase price or construction cost shall be paid in cash at the time of purchase as provided in the contract and the remainder of the purchase price or construction cost shall be paid in not more than eight equal annual installments. Each installment shall be not less than one-eighth of the deferred portion of the purchase price or construction cost and shall be secured by a note which may contain a clause permitting prepayment at the option of the board or legislative authority SECURITIES. The notes SECURITIES shall be offered for sale on the open market or given to the vendor or contractor if no sale is made.

(E) A board of township trustees of any township or a board of fire district trustees of a fire district created under section 505.371 of the Revised Code may purchase a policy or policies of liability insurance for the officers, employees, and appointees of the fire department, fire district, or joint fire district governed by the board that includes personal injury liability coverage as to the civil liability of such THOSE officers, employees, and appointees for false arrest, detention, or imprisonment, malicious prosecution, libel, slander, defamation or other violation of the right of privacy, wrongful entry or eviction, or other invasion of the right of private occupancy, arising out of the performance of their duties.

When a board of township trustees cannot, by deed of gift or by purchase and upon terms it considers reasonable, procure land for a township fire station that is needed in order to respond in reasonable time to a fire or medical emergency, the board may appropriate such land for that purpose under sections 163.01 to 163.22 of the Revised Code. If it is necessary to acquire additional adjacent land for enlarging or improving the fire station, the board may purchase, appropriate, or accept a deed of gift for the land for these purposes.

(F) As used in this division, "emergency medical service organization" has the same meaning as in section 4766.01 of the Revised Code.

A board of township trustees, by adoption of an appropriate resolution, may choose to have the Ohio ambulance licensing board license any emergency medical service it operates. If the board adopts such a resolution, Chapter 4766. of the Revised Code, except for sections 4766.06 and 4766.99 of the Revised Code, applies to the organization. All rules adopted under the applicable sections of that chapter also apply to the organization. A board of township trustees, by adoption of an appropriate resolution, may remove its emergency medical service organization from the jurisdiction of the Ohio ambulance licensing board.

Sec. 505.701. The board of trustees of any township, through unanimous vote of its membership, may designate, participate in, and cooperate with any community improvement corporation organized under Chapter 1724. of the Revised Code, and may give financial or other assistance, including any fees generated by the corporation, to such a THAT corporation to defray its administrative expenses. Any moneys contributed by the board for this purpose shall be drawn from the general fund of the township not otherwise appropriated.

IN ADDITION, THE BOARD MAY PURCHASE REAL PROPERTY FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRANSFERRING THAT PROPERTY TO THE COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION. IN ORDER TO FINANCE THE PURCHASE OF THAT REAL PROPERTY, THE BOARD MAY ISSUE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE TOWNSHIP IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 133. OF THE REVISED CODE, FOR WHICH THE FULL FAITH AND CREDIT OF THE TOWNSHIP SHALL BE PLEDGED.

Sec. 709.50. (A) Notwithstanding any other section of the Revised Code, when a township contains at least ninety per cent of the geographic area of a municipal corporation, either that township or the municipal corporation may remove that part of that township that is located within the municipal corporation from that township if all of the following apply:

(1) The electors of the township and the municipal corporation have voted to approve the establishment of a merger commission pursuant to section 709.45 of the Revised Code.

(2) The unincorporated territory of the township has a population of more than nine thousand.

(3) The township has previously adopted the A limited self-government form of township HOME RULE government under Chapter 504. of the Revised Code and a township zoning resolution under Chapter 519. of the Revised Code.

(4) Not later than December 31, 1994, either the township adopts a resolution or the municipal corporation adopts a resolution or ordinance to remove that part of the township that is located in the municipal corporation from the township. Any resolution or ordinance adopted under division (A)(4) of this section shall include an accurate description of the land to be removed. The political subdivision that adopts an ordinance or resolution under division (A)(4) of this section shall file with the county recorder a copy of it certified by the county auditor, together with a map or plat certified by the county auditor of the land to be removed. The county recorder shall record the ordinance or resolution and the map or plat.

(B) If either the township or the municipal corporation takes the action described in division (A)(4) of this section, the removal shall occur. After the removal, the unincorporated territory of the township shall no longer receive any revenue by virtue of its relationship to the municipal corporation. As soon as practicable after a removal occurs under this section, the board of county commissioners shall ascertain whether there is any joint indebtedness of the unincorporated territory of the township and the municipal corporation. If there is any such indebtedness, the board of county commissioners shall apportion it in accordance with section 503.10 of the Revised Code.

(C)(1) If a removal occurs under this section, all or part of the unincorporated territory of the township may become a village if the board of township trustees adopts, by unanimous vote, a resolution for all or part of that territory to become a village. The board of township trustees shall file with the county recorder a copy of any resolution it adopts under division (C)(1) of this section certified by the county auditor, together with a map or plat certified by the county auditor of the land to be included in the village. The county recorder shall record the resolution and the map or plat. Once the board adopts a resolution under division (C)(1) of this section, no land within the area that will constitute the village may be annexed, and any pending annexation proceeding that includes land in that area shall be considered to be terminated with regard to that land.

(2) If the board does not adopt a resolution under division (C)(1) of this section, or if the board adopts such a resolution in which only a part of the unincorporated territory becomes a village, the board of county commissioners shall attach all the unincorporated territory that does not become a village to any township contiguous to that territory or erect that territory into a new township, the boundaries of which need not include twenty-two square miles of territory.

(D) If a board of township trustees adopts a resolution under division (C)(1) of this section for all or part of the township's unincorporated territory to become a village, the board shall serve as the legislative authority of the area constituting the village until the next regular municipal election that occurs at least seventy-five days after the adoption of the resolution. At that election, the legislative authority of the village shall be elected under section 731.09 of the Revised Code and all other officers of the village shall be elected under Chapter 733. of the Revised Code.

Sec. 711.05. (A) Upon the submission of a plat for approval, in accordance with section 711.041 of the Revised Code, the board of county commissioners shall certify thereon ON IT the date of the submission. Within five days of submission of the plat, the board shall schedule a meeting to consider the plat and send a written notice by certified REGULAR mail, return receipt requested, to the clerk of the board of township trustees of the township in which the plat is located. The notice shall inform the trustees of the submission of the plat and of the date, time, and location of any meeting at which the board of county commissioners will consider or act upon the proposed plat. The meeting shall take place within thirty days of submission of the plat, and no meeting shall be held until at least seven days have passed from the date the notice was sent by the board of county commissioners. The approval of the board required by section 711.041 of the Revised Code or the refusal to approve shall take place within thirty days from the date of submission or such further time as the applying party may agree to in writing; otherwise the plat is deemed approved and may be recorded as if bearing such approval. The

(B) THE board may adopt general rules governing plats and subdivisions of land falling within its jurisdiction, to secure and provide for the coordination of the streets within the subdivision with existing streets and roads or with existing county highways, for the proper amount of open spaces for traffic, circulation, and utilities, and for the avoidance of future congestion of population detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare but shall not impose a greater minimum lot area than forty-eight hundred square feet. The BEFORE THE BOARD MAY AMEND OR ADOPT RULES, IT SHALL NOTIFY ALL THE TOWNSHIPS IN THE COUNTY OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS OR RULES BY REGULAR MAIL AT LEAST THIRTY DAYS BEFORE THE PUBLIC MEETING AT WHICH THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS OR RULES ARE TO BE CONSIDERED.

THErules may require the county department of health to review and comment on a plat before the board of county commissioners acts upon it and may also require proof of compliance with any applicable zoning resolutions as a basis for approval of a plat. Where under the provisions of section 711.101 of the Revised Code the board of county commissioners has set up standards and specifications for the construction of streets, utilities, and other improvements for common use, such general rules may require the submission of appropriate plans and specifications for approval. The board shall not require the person submitting the plat to alter the plat or any part of it as a condition for approval, as long as the plat is in accordance with general rules governing plats and subdivisions of land, adopted by the board as provided in this section, in effect at the time the plat was submitted and the plat is in accordance with any standards and specifications set up under section 711.101 of the Revised Code, in effect at the time the plat was submitted. The

(C) THE ground of refusal to approve any plat, submitted in accordance with section 711.041 of the Revised Code, shall be stated upon the record of the board, and, within sixty days thereafter, the person submitting any plat which THAT the board refuses to approve may file a petition in the court of common pleas of the county in which the land described in the plat is situated to review the action of such THE board. A board of township trustees is not entitled to appeal a decision of the board of county commissioners under this section.

Sec. 711.10. Whenever a county planning commission or a regional planning commission adopts a plan for the major streets or highways of the county or region, then no plat of a subdivision of land within the county or region, other than land within a municipal corporation or land within three miles of a city or one and one-half miles of a village as provided in section 711.09 of the Revised Code, shall be recorded until it is approved by the county or regional planning commission and the approval is endorsed in writing on the plat. Within five days after the submission of a plat for approval, the county or regional planning commission shall schedule a meeting to consider the plat and send a written notice by certified REGULAR mail, return receipt requested, to the clerk of the board of township trustees of the township in which a proposed plat is located. The notice shall inform the trustees of the submission of the proposed plat and of the date, time, and location of any meeting at which the county or regional planning commission will consider or act upon the proposed plat. The meeting shall take place within thirty days after submission of the plat, and no meeting shall be held until at least seven days have passed from the date the notice was sent by the planning commission. The approval of the planning commission or the refusal to approve shall be endorsed on the plat within thirty days after the submission of the plat for approval, or within such further time as the applying party may agree to in writing; otherwise that plat is deemed approved, and the certificate of the planning commission as to the date of the submission of the plat for approval and the failure to take action on it within that time shall be sufficient in lieu of the written endorsement or evidence of approval required by this section. A county or regional planning commission shall not require a person submitting the plat to alter the plat or any part of it as a condition for approval, as long as the plat is in accordance with the general rules governing plats and subdivisions of land, adopted by the commission as provided in this section, in effect at the time the plat was submitted. The ground of refusal of approval of any plat submitted, including citation of or reference to the rule violated by the plat, shall be stated upon the record of the commission. Within sixty days after the refusal, the person submitting any plat which the county or regional planning commission refuses to approve may file a petition in the court of common pleas of the proper county and the proceedings on the petition shall be governed by section 711.09 of the Revised Code as in the case of the refusal of a planning authority to approve a plat. A board of township trustees is not entitled to appeal a decision of the county or regional planning commission under this section.

Any such county or regional planning commission shall adopt general rules, of uniform application, governing plats and subdivisions of land falling within its jurisdiction, to secure and provide for the proper arrangement of streets or other highways in relation to existing or planned streets or highways or to the county or regional plan, for adequate and convenient open spaces for traffic, utilities, access of fire-fighting apparatus, recreation, light, and air, and for the avoidance of congestion of population. The rules may provide for their modification by the county or regional planning commission in specific cases where unusual topographical and other exceptional conditions require the modification. The rules may require the county department of health to review and comment on a plat before the county or regional planning commission acts upon it and may also require proof of compliance with any applicable zoning resolutions as a basis for approval of a plat.

Before adoption of its rules or amendment of its rules, a public hearing shall be held on the adoption or amendment by the commission. However, no county or regional planning commission shall adopt any rules requiring actual construction of streets or other improvements or facilities or assurance of that construction as a condition precedent to the approval of a plat of a subdivision unless the requirements have first been adopted by the board of county commissioners after a public hearing. A copy of the rules shall be certified by the planning commission to the county recorders of the appropriate counties. After a county or regional street or highway plan has been adopted as provided in this section, the approval of plats and subdivisions provided for in this section shall be in lieu of any approvals provided for in other sections of the Revised Code, so far as the territory within the approving jurisdiction of the county or regional planning commission, as provided in this section, is concerned. Approval of a plat shall not be an acceptance by the public of the dedication of any street, highway, or other way or open space shown upon the plat. Any such county or regional planning commission and a city or village planning commission, or platting commissioner or legislative authority of a village, with subdivision regulation jurisdiction over unincorporated territory within the county or region may cooperate and agree by written agreement that the approval of a plat by the city or village planning commission, or platting commissioner or legislative authority of a village, as provided in section 711.09 of the Revised Code, shall be conditioned upon receiving advice from or approval by the county or regional planning commission.

Sec. 713.22. (A) The board of county commissioners of any county may, and on petition of the planning commissions of a majority of the municipal corporations in the county having such planning commission COMMISSIONS shall, provide for the organization and maintenance of a county planning commission. Such A county planning commission shall consist of eight citizens of the county MEMBERS appointed by the board, together with the members of the board. If the population of any city in the county exceeds fifty per cent of the total population of the county, then at least three of the appointive members shall be selected from persons nominated by the planning commission of such THAT city. The OTHERWISE, THREE MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED FROM MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS WITHIN THE COUNTY. THE BOARD SHALL APPOINT THREE MEMBERS FROM THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF THE COUNTY FROM PERSONS NOMINATED BY THE TOWNSHIPS TO THE COUNTY. IF THE COUNTY CONTAINS ONE OR MORE LIMITED HOME RULE GOVERNMENT TOWNSHIPS, THEN AT LEAST ONE OF THESE THREE TOWNSHIP APPOINTEES SHALL BE FROM THE NOMINEES OF A LIMITED HOME RULE GOVERNMENT TOWNSHIP. THE REMAINING TWO APPOINTEES SHALL BE SELECTED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD AND SHALL BE CITIZENS OF THE COUNTY, ONE RESIDING IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF THE COUNTY AND REPRESENTING TOWNSHIPS AND THE OTHER RESIDING IN THE INCORPORATED AREA OF THE COUNTY AND REPRESENTING MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS IN THE COUNTY.

THE appointive members shall be appointed for terms of three years, except that of the eight members first appointed three shall be appointed for terms of two years and two shall be appointed for a term of one year. The members shall serve without pay. Any member of a county planning commission may hold any other public office and may serve as a member of a city, village, and regional planning commission, except as otherwise provided in the charter of any city or village.

(B) THE EXPENSES OF THE APPOINTED MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION AND THE COMPENSATION OF PLANNING COMMISSION EMPLOYEES SHALL BE PAID FROM APPROPRIATIONS MADE BY THE BOARD.

The county planning commission may employ engineers, accountants, consultants, and employees as are necessary, and make such purchases as may be needed to the furtherance of its operation.

The county planning commission may accept, receive, and expend funds, grants, and services from the federal government or its agencies, from departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of this state or any adjoining state or from one or more counties of this state or any adjoining state or from any municipal corporation or political subdivision of this or any adjoining state, including county, regional, and municipal planning commission of this or any adjoining state, or from civic sources, and contract with respect thereto, either separately or jointly or cooperatively, and provide such information and reports as may be necessary to secure such financial aid.

The compensation of such employees and the expenses of the appointive members of the county planning commission shall be paid from appropriations made by the board.

(C) A COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MAY ADOPT A POLICY UNDER WHICH MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, AS MEMBERS OF THAT COMMISSION, MUST ABSTAIN FROM PARTICIPATING AND VOTING ON THE COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATION, WHENEVER A COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION IS REQUIRED BY SECTION 303.12 OF THE REVISED CODE TO RECOMMEND THE APPROVAL OR DENIAL OF A PROPOSED AMENDMENT OR APPROVAL OF SOME MODIFICATION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE COUNTY ZONING RESOLUTION, OR REQUIRED BY SECTION 303.07 OF THE REVISED CODE TO APPROVE OR DISAPPROVE, OR MAKE SUGGESTIONS ABOUT, A PROPOSED COUNTY ZONING RESOLUTION. THE POLICY MAY REQUIRE THAT A QUORUM OF THE COMMISSION UNDER THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES BE DETERMINED ON THE BASIS OF AN EIGHT-MEMBER COMMISSION INSTEAD OF AN ELEVEN-MEMBER COMMISSION.

Sec. 1901.026. (A) The current operating costs of a municipal court, other than a county-operated municipal court, that has territorial jurisdiction under section 1901.02 or 1901.182 of the Revised Code that extends beyond the corporate limits of the municipal corporation in which the court is located shall be apportioned pursuant to this section among all of the municipal corporations and townships that are within the territory of the court. Each municipal corporation and each township within the territory of the municipal court shall be assigned a proportionate share of the current operating costs of the municipal court that is equal to the percentage of the total criminal and civil caseload of the municipal court that arose in that municipal corporation or township. Each municipal corporation and each township then shall be liable for its assigned proportionate share of the current operating costs of the court, subject to division (B) of this section.

For purposes of this section, the criminal and civil caseload that arose in a municipal corporation or township is the total number of criminal cases filed in the municipal court during the preceding calendar year that arose out of offenses that occurred in the municipal corporation or township and the total number of civil cases filed in the municipal court during the preceding calendar year in which the address of the majority of the defendants that are designated in the caption of the case and that have addresses within municipal corporations or townships within the territory of the court is within the municipal corporation or township or, if there is no majority of such defendants, in which the address of the first such defendant is within the municipal corporation or township.

(B) A municipal corporation or township within the territory of a municipal court is not required to pay that part of its proportionate share of the current operating costs of the court, as determined in accordance with division (A) of this section, that exceeds the total amount of costs, fees, fines, bail, or other moneys that was disbursed by the clerk of the court under division (F) of section 1901.31 of the Revised Code, to the municipal corporation or township during the period for which its proportionate share of the current operating costs was determined. The municipal corporation in which the court is located is liable, in addition to its proportionate share, for any part of the proportionate share of a municipal corporation or township that the municipal corporation or township is not required to pay under this division.

(C) The auditors or chief fiscal officers of each of the municipal corporations and townships within the territory of a municipal court for which the current operating costs are apportioned under this section shall meet not less than once each six months at the office of the auditor or chief fiscal officer of the municipal corporation in which the court is located to determine the proportionate share due from each municipal corporation and each township, to determine whether any municipal corporation or township is not required to pay any part of its proportionate share under division (B) of this section, and to adjust accounts. The meetings shall be held at the direction of the auditor or chief fiscal officer of the municipal corporation in which the court is located, and he THE AUDITOR OR CHIEF FISCAL OFFICER shall preside at the meetings. The proportionate share of each of the municipal corporations and townships, as reduced or increased in accordance with division (B) of this section, is payable from the general fund of the municipal corporation or township or from any other fund designated or funds appropriated for the purpose of paying the particular municipal corporation's or township's proportionate share of the current operating costs of the court.

The court of common pleas of the county in which a municipal court for which the current operating costs are apportioned under this section is located has jurisdiction over any civil action that is commenced to determine the current operating costs of the court, the proportionate share of the current operating costs to be paid by a particular municipal corporation or township within the territory of the court, or whether a municipal corporation or township is not required to pay any part of its proportionate share under division (B) of this section.

(D) For purposes of this section:

(1) "Operating costs" means the figure that is derived by subtracting the total of all costs that are collected and paid to the city treasury by the clerk of the municipal court pursuant to division (F) of section 1901.31 of the Revised Code and all interest received and paid to the city treasury in relation to the costs pursuant to division (G) of section 1901.31 of the Revised Code from the total of the amounts payable from the city treasury for the operation of the court pursuant to sections 1901.10, 1901.11, 1901.111, 1901.12, 1901.31, 1901.311, 1901.312, 1901.32, 1901.33, 1901.331, 1901.36, 1901.37, and 1901.38 of the Revised Code, other than any amounts payable from the city treasury for the operation of the court involving construction, capital improvements, rent, or the provision of heat and light.

(2) "Township" means a township that has adopted the A limited self-government form of HOME RULE government pursuant to Chapter 504. of the Revised Code.

(3) "Criminal caseload" when used in regard to a township means cases arising from a violation of a township resolution for which a fine is imposed under Chapter 504. of the Revised Code.

Sec. 2921.421. (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Chief legal officer" has the same meaning as in section 733.621 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Political subdivision" means a county, a municipal corporation, or a township that adopts the A limited self-government form of HOME RULE government under Chapter 504. of the Revised Code.

(B) A prosecuting attorney may appoint assistants and employees, except a member of the family of the prosecuting attorney, in accordance with division (B) of section 309.06 of the Revised Code, a chief legal officer of a municipal corporation or an official designated as prosecutor in a municipal corporation may appoint assistants and employees, except a member of the family of the chief legal officer or official designated as prosecutor, in accordance with section 733.621 of the Revised Code, and a township law director appointed under section 504.15 of the Revised Code may appoint assistants and employees, except a member of the family of the township law director, in accordance with section 504.151 of the Revised Code, if all of the following apply:

(1) The services to be furnished by the appointee or employee are necessary services for the political subdivision or are authorized by the legislative authority, governing board, or other contracting authority of the political subdivision.

(2) The treatment accorded the political subdivision is either preferential to or the same as that accorded other clients or customers of the appointee or employee in similar transactions, or the legislative authority, governing board, or other contracting authority of the political subdivision, in its sole discretion, determines that the compensation and other terms of appointment or employment of the appointee or employee are fair and reasonable to the political subdivision.

(3) The appointment or employment is made after prior written disclosure to the legislative authority, governing board, or other contracting authority of the political subdivision of the business relationship between the prosecuting attorney, the chief legal officer or official designated as prosecutor in a municipal corporation, or the township law director and his THE appointee or employee THEREOF. In the case of a municipal corporation, the disclosure may be made or evidenced in an ordinance, resolution, or other document that does either or both of the following:

(a) Authorizes the furnishing of services as required under division (B)(1) of this section;

(b) Determines that the compensation and other terms of appointment or employment of the appointee or employee are fair and reasonable to the political subdivision as required under division (B)(2) of this section.

(4) The prosecuting attorney, the elected chief legal officer, or the township law director does not receive any distributive share or other portion, in whole or in part, of the earnings of his THE business associate, partner, or employee paid by the political subdivision to the business associate, partner, or employee for services rendered for the political subdivision.

(C) It is not a violation of this section or of section 102.03 or 2921.42 of the Revised Code for the legislative authority, the governing board, or other contracting authority of a political subdivision to engage the services of any firm that practices the profession of law upon the terms approved by the legislative authority, the governing board, or the contracting authority, or to designate any partner, officer, or employee of that firm as a nonelected public official or employee of the political subdivision, whether the public office or position of employment is created by statute, charter, ordinance, resolution, or other legislative or administrative action.

Sec. 3737.46. Upon the request of the fire marshal, the fire marshal's authorized representative, or a certified fire safety inspector, the attorney general, the legal officer of any county or municipal corporation, or the law director of a township that has adopted the A limited self-government form of township HOME RULE government under Chapter 504. of the Revised Code shall bring an action for an injunction, temporary or permanent, or any other appropriate proceedings against any person violating or threatening to violate any provision of the state fire code or any order issued pursuant thereto in the court of common pleas in the county where the violation is occurring or is threatened to occur.

This section does not expand, and shall not be construed as expanding, the authority of the fire marshal, the fire marshal's authorized representative, or a certified fire safety inspector to enforce any requirements that are adopted pursuant to Chapter 3781. or 3791. of the Revised Code or any rules adopted pursuant to section 3781.10 or 3781.11 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 3767.03. Whenever a nuisance exists, the attorney general; the village solicitor, city director of law, or other similar chief legal officer of the municipal corporation in which the nuisance exists; the prosecuting attorney of the county in which the nuisance exists; the law director of a township that has adopted the A limited self-government form of HOME RULE government under Chapter 504. of the Revised Code; or any person who is a citizen of the country COUNTY in which the nuisance exists may bring an action in equity in the name of the state, upon the relation of the attorney general; the village solicitor, city director of law, or other similar chief legal officer of the municipal corporation; the prosecuting attorney; the township law director; or the person, to abate the nuisance and to perpetually enjoin the person maintaining the nuisance from further maintaining it. If an action is instituted under this section by a person other than the prosecuting attorney; the village solicitor, city director of law, or other similar chief legal officer of the municipal corporation; the attorney general; or the township law director, the complainant shall execute a bond in the sum of not less than five hundred dollars, to the defendant, with good and sufficient surety to be approved by the court or clerk of the court, to secure to the defendant any damages the defendant may sustain and the reasonable attorney's fees the defendant may incur in defending the action if the action is wrongfully brought, not prosecuted to final judgment, is dismissed, or is not maintained, or if it is finally decided that an injunction should not have been granted. If it is finally decided that an injunction should not have been granted or if the action was wrongfully brought, not prosecuted to final judgment, dismissed, or not maintained, the defendant shall have recourse against the bond for all damages suffered, including damages to the defendant's property, person, or character, and for the reasonable attorney's fees incurred by the defendant in defending the action.

Any agency, officer, or other person bringing an action under this section against the holder of a liquor permit issued under Chapter 4303. of the Revised Code shall notify the division of liquor control, the liquor control commission, and the liquor enforcement division of the department of public safety regarding the action at the time of bringing the action.

Sec. 4301.28. (A) Any person aggrieved may appeal to the liquor control commission from the action of the division of liquor control in refusing to issue a permit.

(B) If the legislative authority of a municipal corporation, board of township trustees, or the board of county commissioners participated in a hearing conducted under section 4303.26 of the Revised Code for the transfer of location of a class C or D permit, transfer of a class C or D permit, or issuance of a class C or D permit or under division (B) of section 4303.271 of the Revised Code for the renewal of a class C or D permit, the legislative authority or board may appeal to the liquor control commission from the order of the division of liquor control issuing, transferring, or renewing a permit, or transferring a location, or participate or be joined as a party in an appeal from an order of the division denying the issuance, transfer, or renewal of a permit or the transfer of a location.

In an appeal on the issuance or the transfer of a location of a permit, only the reasons for refusal contained in section 4303.292 of the Revised Code shall be considered. In an appeal on the transfer of ownership of a permit, only the reasons for refusal contained in divisions (A) and (B)(1) of section 4303.292 of the Revised Code shall be considered. In an appeal on the renewal of a permit, only the objections considered at the hearing under section 4303.271 of the Revised Code shall be considered.

The commission shall send notice of an appeal by a political subdivision by certified mail to the applicant for a new permit or to the permit holder at the permit holder's usual place of business, to the superintendent of liquor control, and to the office of the attorney general. The commission shall also send notice by certified mail of an appeal by a permit holder from an order denying the transfer or renewal of a permit, or the transfer of a location, or of an appeal by an applicant for a new permit from an order denying the issuance of a permit to the legislative authority or board of the political subdivision that participated in the hearing on the issuance, renewal, or transfer, to the superintendent and to the office of the attorney general.

If a legislative authority or board is a party under this division to an appeal before the commission, the legislative authority or board may appeal under section 119.12 of the Revised Code from an order of the commission affirming the issuance, transfer, or renewal of a permit, or the transfer of a location, or participate or be joined as a party in an appeal under that section from an order of the commission denying the issuance, transfer, or renewal of a permit, or transfer of a location. If a court determines that there was not reasonable cause for an appeal by a political subdivision, it shall require the political subdivision to pay reasonable expenses of the appellee, including attorney fees and costs.

The prosecuting attorney of the county shall represent the county or any township located within the county, unless the township has adopted the A limited self-government form of township HOME RULE government under Chapter 504. of the Revised Code, in which case the township law director shall represent the township, in any hearing or appeal under this section or section 119.12, 4303.26, or 4303.271 of the Revised Code in which the county or township is a party. The village solicitor or city law director of the municipal corporation shall represent the municipal corporation in any hearing or appeal under this section or section 119.12, 4303.26, or 4303.271 of the Revised Code in which the municipal corporation is a party.

If a permit holder appeals under section 119.12 of the Revised Code from an order of the commission denying the transfer or renewal of a permit, or the transfer of a location, or if an applicant for a new permit appeals from an order of the commission denying the issuance of a permit, the commission shall send notice of the appeal by certified mail to the legislative authority or board of the political subdivision that was a party to an appeal before the commission.

(C) At least twenty-one days before the date by which a permit holder must pay any forfeiture pursuant to an order issued under section 4301.252 of the Revised Code, and at least twenty-one days before the effective date of an order issued by the liquor control commission, revoking, cancelling, or suspending a liquor permit, except for a suspension imposed under division (A)(3) of section 4301.252 of the Revised Code, the commission shall send a copy of the order by certified mail to the holder, addressed to the holder at the premises named in the permit, and shall also send by certified mail copies of the order to the chief of police, marshal, or chief police officer of the municipal corporation in which the premises for which the permit was issued are situated, or to the sheriff of the county or constable of the township, in case the permit was issued for premises situated outside any municipal corporation. A copy of an order revoking or canceling a permit or allowing the payment of a forfeiture under section 4301.252 of the Revised Code shall be sent to such officer at the same time as a copy is sent to the permit holder; a copy of an order suspending a permit shall be sent to such officer when the commission determines under section 4301.252 of the Revised Code that the suspension is to become effective. The order shall contain a statement of the number of the permit, the name of the holder, the location of the premises for which the permit was issued, and the date when the revocation or cancellation is to be effective, or, in case of suspension, the beginning and ending dates of the suspension period and such other information in the notice to the permit holder as is required by section 4301.252 of the Revised Code. The holder of such a revoked or cancelled permit shall, on the effective date of the order of revocation or cancellation, immediately surrender the permit by mailing or delivering it to the superintendent of liquor control by certified mail. If the revoked or canceled permit is not surrendered, the superintendent shall issue a written demand for its surrender and deliver the demand to the chief of police, marshal, or other chief police officer of the municipal corporation or to the sheriff of the county, or to the constable of the township, in which the premises for which the permit is issued are located, or to any designated agent of the division of liquor control, and the chief of police, marshal, or other chief police officer of the municipal corporation, sheriff, constable, or agent shall immediately demand and secure possession of the revoked or cancelled permit and return it by certified mail to the superintendent.

When a permit has been so suspended by order of the liquor control commission, the permit holder shall not sell any alcoholic beverages at such permit premises during the effective period stated in the order of a suspension, and shall cover the permit by posting a copy of the suspension order over the permit, and the order of suspension shall remain so posted on the permit premises until termination of the suspension period. Upon termination of the suspension period, the permit holder may remove the copy of the suspension order from the permit and may resume the sale of alcoholic beverages as authorized by the permit and in compliance with Chapters 4301. and 4303. of the Revised Code.

The foregoing paragraph of this section is inapplicable while a stay order is in effect as a result of an appeal taken by a permit holder from an order of revocation, cancellation, or suspension or from an order that allows the payment of a forfeiture under section 4301.252 of the Revised Code, pursuant to section 119.12 of the Revised Code. A copy of the stay order shall be posted on the premises of the permit holder and shall be furnished by the division to the appropriate officer, as the case may be, such as the chief of police, marshal, constable, or sheriff.

A permit holder desiring to file a notice of appeal under section 119.12 of the Revised Code with respect to any order of the commission as described in this division shall do so within twenty-one days after the mailing of the notice of the commission's order as provided in section 119.12 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 5543.01. The (A) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN DIVISION (B) OF THIS SECTION, THE county engineer shall have general charge of the following:

(A)(1) Construction, reconstruction, improvement, maintenance, and repair of all bridges and highways within his THE ENGINEER'S county, under the jurisdiction of the board of county commissioners;

(B)(2) Construction, reconstruction, resurfacing, or improvement of roads by boards of township trustees under sections 5571.01, 5571.06, 5571.07, 5571.15, 5573.01 to 5573.15, inclusive, and 5575.02 to 5575.09, inclusive, of the Revised Code;

(C)(3) Construction, reconstruction, resurfacing, or improvement of the roads of a road district under section 5573.21 of the Revised Code.

(B) FOR ANY PARTICULAR PROJECT, AFTER NOTIFYING THE COUNTY ENGINEER, THE BOARD OF TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES OF A TOWNSHIP THAT HAS ADOPTED A LIMITED HOME RULE GOVERNMENT UNDER CHAPTER 504. of the Revised Code MAY HIRE AN INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER TO BE IN CHARGE OF THOSE ACTIVITIES LISTED IN DIVISION (A)(2) OF THIS SECTION. THE COUNTY ENGINEER SHALL REVIEW ALL OF THE INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER'S PLANS FOR IMPROVEMENTS AND PROVIDE THE BOARD OF TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES WITH COMMENTS ON THOSE PLANS WITHIN TEN WORKING DAYS AFTER RECEIVING THEM. THE COUNTY ENGINEER SHALL MONITOR ALL PLANS FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN COMPLIANCE WITH EXISTING CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS AND THOROUGHFARE PLANS, AND COORDINATE CONSTRUCTION TIMELINES WITHIN THE COUNTY.

(C) The COUNTY engineer may not perform any duties in connection with the repair, maintenance, or dragging of roads by boards of township trustees, except that, upon the request of any board of township trustees he, THE COUNTY ENGINEER shall inspect any road designated by it and advise as to the best methods of repairing, maintaining, or dragging such THAT road.

Sec. 5543.09. The (A) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN DIVISION (B) OF THIS SECTION, THE county engineer shall supervise the construction, reconstruction, improvement, maintenance, and repair of the highways, bridges, and culverts under the jurisdiction of the board of county commissioners, and the construction, reconstruction, resurfacing, and improvement of public roads by boards of township trustees under sections 5571.01, 5571.06, 5571.07, 5571.15, 5573.01 to 5573.15, 5575.02 to 5575.09, and 5577.01 of the Revised Code. When the engineer has charge of the highways, bridges, and culverts within his THE ENGINEER'S county, and under the control of the state, he THE ENGINEER shall also supervise their construction, reconstruction, improvement, and repair.

(B) FOR ANY PARTICULAR PROJECT, WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE COUNTY ENGINEER, THE BOARD OF TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES OF A TOWNSHIP THAT HAS ADOPTED A LIMITED HOME RULE GOVERNMENT UNDER CHAPTER 504. of the Revised Code MAY HIRE AN INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER TO ASSIST THE COUNTY ENGINEER WITH THE SUPERVISION OF THE CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION, RESURFACING, AND IMPROVEMENT OF PUBLIC ROADS BY THE BOARD UNDER SECTIONS 5571.01, 5571.06, 5571.07, 5571.15, 5573.01 TO 5573.15, 5575.02 TO 5575.09, AND 5577.01 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 5549.02. (A) Boards of county commissioners and boards of township trustees, in the purchase of machinery, tools, trucks, and other equipment for use in constructing, maintaining, and repairing roads, may make such purchases upon the following terms: not less than one-fourth of the purchase price shall be paid in cash, and the remainder of the purchase price shall be paid in not more than five equal annual installments, except that if the board sells, as authorized by law, used vehicles, machinery, tools, or equipment owned by the county or township to the person or other entity from whom it is to make the purchase, the one-fourth cash down payment or any installments, or both, may be reduced by the amount of the selling price of the used vehicles, machinery, tools, or equipment. Each installment shall be not less than one-fifth of the balance due and shall be secured by a note which may contain a clause permitting prepayment at the option of the board. Such boards may issue the notes of the county or township signed by the board of county commissioners or board of township trustees, attested by the signature of the county auditor or township clerk, and covering such deferred payments and payable at the times above provided. Such notes may bear interest at not to exceed the rate determined as provided in section 9.95 of the Revised Code, and are not subject to section 131.23 or 135.51 to 135.54 or to Chapter 133. of the Revised Code. In the legislation under which such notes are authorized, the board of county commissioners or board of township trustees shall make provision for levying and collecting annually, by taxation, an amount sufficient to pay the interest and provide a sinking fund for the final redemption of such notes at maturity.

Sections 5705.41 and 5705.44 of the Revised Code apply only to such portion of the purchase price of such machinery, tools, trucks, or equipment as is to be paid in cash, exclusive of any credit from the sale of used vehicles, machinery, tools, or equipment to the vendor.

(B) The boards of trustees of any two or more townships, or the legislative authorities of any two or more political subdivisions, or any combination thereof, may, through joint action, unite in the joint purchase, maintenance, use, and operation of machinery, tools, trucks, and equipment for use in constructing, maintaining, and repairing roads, and may prorate the expense on such terms as are mutually agreed upon, and any political subdivision may lease machinery, tools, trucks, and other equipment from any one or more other political subdivisions for use in constructing, maintaining, and repairing roads on such terms as are mutually agreed upon.

(C) Boards of county commissioners and boards of township trustees may also enter into leases which include an option to purchase machinery, tools, trucks, and other equipment for use in constructing, maintaining, and repairing roads. Any such contract to lease with an option to purchase shall require the board to pay at least three-twentieths of the total cost of the lease with an option to purchase in cash. If the board sells used equipment as part of any such contract, the three-twentieths cash down payment may be reduced by the amount of the selling price of the used equipment. Such leases with options to purchase shall be made from the lowest responsible bidder offering the equipment after advertisement as provided in section 5575.01 of the Revised Code. Such leases are not subject to the down payment and minimum annual installment requirements of division (A) of this section.

Sec. 5549.021. A BOARD OF TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES MAY PURCHASE MACHINERY, TOOLS, TRUCKS, AND OTHER EQUIPMENT FOR USE IN CONSTRUCTING, MAINTAINING, AND REPAIRING ROADS AND, SUBJECT TO CHAPTER 133. OF THE REVISED CODE, MAY ISSUE FOR THAT PURPOSE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE TOWNSHIP FOR WHICH THE FULL FAITH AND CREDIT OF THE TOWNSHIP SHALL BE PLEDGED.

Sec. 5573.01. When the board of township trustees has determined that any road shall be constructed, reconstructed, resurfaced, or improved, such THE board shall determine by resolution, by unanimous vote if acting without a petition, and by a majority vote if acting upon a petition, the route and termini of such THE road, AND the kind and extent of the improvement, and at the same time shall order the county engineer OR, IF THE TOWNSHIP HAS ADOPTED A LIMITED HOME RULE GOVERNMENT UNDER CHAPTER 504. of the Revised Code, HIRE AN INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER, AFTER NOTIFYING THE COUNTY ENGINEER, to make such surveys, plans, profiles, cross sections, estimates, and specifications as are required for such THE improvement. IF AN INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER IS HIRED, THE COUNTY ENGINEER SHALL REVIEW ALL OF THE INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER'S PLANS FOR IMPROVEMENTS AND PROVIDE THE BOARD OF TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES WITH COMMENTS ON THOSE PLANS WITHIN TEN WORKING DAYS AFTER RECEIVING THEM. THE COUNTY ENGINEER SHALL MONITOR ALL OF THE INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER'S PLANS FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN COMPLIANCE WITH EXISTING CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS AND THOROUGHFARE PLANS, AND COORDINATE CONSTRUCTION TIMELINES WITHIN THE COUNTY.

The IF THE BOARD ORDERS THE COUNTY ENGINEER TO ACT UNDER THIS SECTION, THE board may order the COUNTY engineer to make alternate surveys, plans, profiles, cross sections, estimates, and specifications, providing therein IN THEM for different widths of roadway, or different materials, and approve all or any number of such THESE alternate surveys, plans, profiles, cross sections, estimates, and specifications. The COUNTY engineer may, without instructions from the board, prepare alternate surveys, plans, profiles, cross sections, estimates, and specifications, providing therein IN THEM for different widths of roadways or different materials. When alternate surveys, plans, profiles, cross sections, estimates, and specifications are approved by the board, or submitted by the COUNTY engineer on his THE COUNTY ENGINEER'S own motion, the board and COUNTY engineer shall, after the opening of bids, agree which of the surveys, plans, profiles, cross sections, estimates, and specifications shall be finally adopted for construction of the improvement.


Section 2. That existing sections 109.14, 133.09, 309.09, 504.01, 504.02, 504.03, 504.04, 504.12, 504.13, 504.14, 504.16, 504.17, 504.18, 504.19, 505.261, 505.262, 505.264, 505.37, 505.701, 709.50, 711.05, 711.10, 713.22, 1901.026, 2921.421, 3737.46, 3767.03, 4301.28, 5543.01, 5543.09, 5549.02, and 5573.01 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.


Section 3. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in section 713.22 of the Revised Code, the change in the composition of a county planning commission required under that section as amended by this act shall be implemented so that any member serving on the board on the effective date of this act serves out the member's term of office, even if the membership would not then meet the representation requirements in section 713.22 of the Revised Code. As new members are appointed to the commission, the new members shall be appointed so as to meet the representation requirements in section 713.22 of the Revised Code as soon as possible without interfering with any member's term of office.
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