State Representative Marlene Anielski (R-Walton Hills) today announced that the Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill 347, a cost-saving measure which gives statutory non-chartered villages the option to reduce their current number of council members from six members to five. It also includes a provision that provides flexibility to create concurrent, rather than staggered terms for the councils’ elected members.
Sponsored by Representative Anielski, the bill authorizes the legislative authority to reduce its membership by a vote of the legislative authority or by petition. Currently, these authorities are composed of six members with staggered terms who have no ability to alter the composition if needed.
“This is a bill that simply offers another option and more flexibility to local governments,” Representative Anielski said. “It is one more tool that they can utilize amidst tight budgeting periods, and I’m pleased that it passed the House with unanimous, bipartisan support.”
The bill creates a process for eliminating staggered terms of office and reduction of legislative members, pending the adoption of a resolution or ordinance from the legislative authority. House Bill 347 will now move to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.
As we continue the economic recovery here in Ohio, we must continually look for ways to help local governments manage their costs and balance their budgets. This includes finding ways to increase government revenues without raising taxes, which would hinder the recovery and hurt Ohio families.
The quest to find viable solutions to these problems was the genesis of House Bill 387. Recently, fellow Toledo Rep. Michael Ashford and I introduced House Bill 387, which provides local governments another tool to use their resources to increase revenues. More specifically, it authorizes a board of county commissioners to enter agreements that would permit the sale and leaseback of county buildings.
This idea is similar to laws that allow state universities, for example, which may lease their facilities as a way to improve the functionality and reduce operating costs. When it comes to reducing government costs, no ideas should be left off the table, and I believe that this measure is but one idea for local municipalities to tackle budget restraints and to use public dollars more efficiently.
As many Toledo residents know, many public buildings throughout the area are in need of repair, and rehabilitating them comes at a steep cost. HB 387 would make it possible for these necessary upgrades to be completed by a private company at reduced costs. Furthermore, opening up the sale and leaseback of such projects would decrease costs by increasing competition, all while helping private employers.
In its 2011-2012 legislative program, the County Commissioners Association wrote that it supports legislation permitting these measures. It is important to note that commissioners would retain the ultimate authority to approve or reject any renovations or improvements pertaining to energy conservation or technological enhancements. Public buildings belong to the taxpayers who fund their construction and operation and thus should be protected against unauthorized changes.
However, the prospect of incorporating the ideas and efficiency of the private sector is exciting. We so often hear that government should operate with the efficiency of business, and this bill helps to make that goal more attainable.
State Representatives Terry Boose (R-Norwalk) and Bob Hackett (R-London) have announced that they introduced House Bill 430, which will increase the competitive bidding thresholds for county, municipal and township governments.
Under current law, in order for local governments to make purchases that exceed $25,000, they must open up the purchase to a public bidding process, where they then select the lowest bidder. The threshold for emergency purchases was $50,000. In order to meet the rate of inflation over the past eight years, this bill will increase these thresholds to $50,000 and $100,000 respectively.
“Simply stated, $25,000 is not the same as it was eight years ago,” Rep. Hackett said. “Updating the minimum bidding thresholds will help local governments attain essential products and services more efficiently. At the same time, it allows small businesses that wish to avoid the bidding process to compete for business.”
“These provisions were addressed last year in the budget regarding local municipalities and townships,” Rep. Boose said. “This legislation will simply bring counties up to the same bidding levels.”
The legislation will now be assigned to a committee and will undergo extensive consideration.
December 6, 2011
Rep. Anielski Testifies on Legislation Aimed at Giving Local Governments Flexibility, Cost Savings
State Representative Marlene Anielski (R-Walton Hills) today gave sponsor testimony on House Bill 347 to the Ohio House Local Government Committee. House Bill 347 would authorize legislative authorities of statutory non-chartered municipalities to have the option to reduce the number of council people as well as institute non-staggered terms of office. The bill strives to help local governments reduce costs by giving them more flexibility and options in how they operate.
“House Bill 347 gives the tools that are necessary for local governments to help them operate within their means.” Representative Anielski said. “As the proud representative of 17 municipalities, I understand that it is my duty to help those that I represent in providing them with options to control their costs. House Bill 347 provides local governments with flexibility to function with less council members, thus saving precious taxpayer dollars.”
This legislation is supported by the Ohio Municipal League and would have to be approved by a vote of the residents of the municipality. It now awaits additional testimony and further consideration in the House Local Government Committee.
November 30, 2011
Ohio Senate Passes Rep. Adams’ Bill to Streamline Miami County Government, Save Tax Dollars
State Representative Richard Adams (R-Troy) today announced that the Ohio Senate passed House Bill 302, which will eliminate the need for a new department in Miami County by consolidating the current Clerk of Courts of Miami County and the new Clerk of the Miami County Municipal Court.
The legislation is in response to the 2010 census results showing the county’s population at 102,506. According to the Ohio Revised Code, if a county equals or exceeds 100,000, the voters of that county must elect a clerk of courts for a six-year term.
House Bill 302 contains an emergency clause so it will take effect immediately once signed into law. Without the emergency clause, Miami County would be required by law to elect a municipal clerk, which could result in the taxpayers of Miami County spending $600,000 over a six-year period in salary and benefits.
“I appreciated the opportunity to work with State Senator Bill Beagle and the Miami county Commissioners in drafting House Bill 302, which will save Miami County taxpayers an estimated $600,000 over the next six years,” Rep. Adams said. “I also express appreciation to Commissioner Budd O’Brien and Judge Elizabeth Gutman for testifying before the House Judiciary and Ethics and Senate Government Oversight and Reform committees. At a time when every dollar saved is important, this bill is highly significant for the taxpayers of Miami County.”
Having passed the Ohio House and the Ohio Senate, House Bill 302 will now be sent to the governor for his signature.
State Representative Marlene Anielski (R-Walton Hills) today introduced legislation that would authorize legislative authorities of statutory non-chartered municipalities to have the option to reduce the number of council people and also institute non-staggered terms of office. The bill strives to help local governments reduce costs by giving them more flexibility and options in how they operate.
“My constituents that reside within statutory non-chartered municipalities have requested that tools be provided to their local governments to help them operate within their means. This legislation will give that flexibility to local governments to function with less council members, thus saving them money,” said Representative Anielski.
This legislation is supported by the Ohio Municipal League and would have to be approved by a vote of the residents of the municipality. It will now be assigned to a House committee, where it will undergo further consideration and debate.
In an effort to make county, municipality and township governments more efficient, the Ohio House of Representatives passed Substitute House Bill 225 to allow greater flexibility for governments.
Among other initiatives, Sub. H.B. 225 will enable certain county offices to adopt a direct deposit payroll policy for all county, municipal and township employees. It also authorizes certain offices to increase the amount of money credited to “rainy day” reserve balance accounts; authorizes a board of township trustees to offer a health and wellness benefit program to township officers, employees, and their immediate dependents; and permits a county auditor or township fiscal officer to deduct from an employee’s salary or wages the amount authorized to be paid by the employee for qualified and existing benefits.
“This bill gives counties, townships, and non-charter municipalities another tool to manage their businesses, and it takes a more business-like approach to problems experienced by local governments,” said State Representative Al Landis (R-Dover), who jointly sponsored the legislation with State Representative Bob Peterson (R-Sabina). “It gives them the needed flexibility to operate in a more timely and efficient manner. These management tools given to the local governments will result in cost savings to all Ohio taxpayers.”
“As a former county commissioner, I was often surprised to discover that the Ohio Revised Code occasionally limits local governments’ ability to take advantage of efficient, common sense practices,” said Rep. Peterson. “H.B. 225 provides flexibility and efficiency to local governments. I appreciate the broad and bipartisan support this bill received.”
The legislation passed with wide bipartisan support and will now be sent to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.
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