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.