Ohio Municipal League
175 South Third Street
Suite 510
Columbus, Ohio 43215

614-221-4349 Office
614-221-4390 Fax

email:
Legislative Inquiries
John Mahoney
General Inquiries
info@omunileague.org

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OML E- BULLETIN
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ANNEXATION

Thursday, July 27 there was a meeting of the various parties with an interest in SB 289, chaired by Senator Schafrath accompanied by Senator Cupp. Present were representatives of Senator Finan, OML, County Commissioners, Township Association, Homebuilders Association, Building Industry Association, Central Ohio Homebuilders, Coalition, Ohio Department of Development, NOMMA, Columbus Chamber of Commerce, and Legislative Service Commission.

Senator Schafrath announced that he intended to vote a bill out of committee in mid September in order to have it ready for a Senate floor vote late in September.

Issues discussed were as follows:

1) Intent Language - the issue was raised but there was no discussion.

2) Two subjects that were resolved at the last meeting (definitions and adjacent v contiguous) were reconfirmed as being resolved.

3) Deadline for filing affidavits, removing signatures from petitions, deleting territory at the hearing, and refiling petitions. These issues were discussed at great length. The Building Industry Association had numerous proposed changes to the bill on each of the above issues. There was some tentative agreement on some of the proposed changes but further work needs to be done.

4) Revenue Sharing - Not discussed, still unresolved.

5) General Good Test in Regular Procedure - Not discussed, still unresolved.

6) Tax Abatement and Reimbursement - This prompted a lengthy discussion. Ohio Department of Development opposes inclusion of any language dealing with this issue. It is unclear if they were successful in making their case. Still unresolved.

7) Subpoena Power of County Commissioners - This issue was generally discussed; the issue of potential abuse was specifically raised. More work to be done.

8) 100% Petition Procedure - This issue generated a lengthy and contentious discussion. Private sector groups want it to be an "automatic" approval and will oppose the bill if this one issue is not resolved to their satisfaction. The issue remained unresolved throughout the remainder of the meeting.

OML ANNUAL CONFERENCE

The Early Arrival session is included in the full registration packet and plans are in the making for a reception and tour at the Columbus Museum of Art.

Dr. Peter Bishop, University of Houston Clearwater, will speak at the opening luncheon on Tuesday, September 12. He is a well respected futurist and will speak on "The Future of Municipal Government". Governor Taft has been invited to speak at the General Session, Wednesday morning September 13.

Module II - Municipal Leadership Training Seminar - this seminar is included in the full registration packet or is $35 for the seminar only. There is a separate registration form for this seminar.

Intermediate Governmental Accounting is a full day workshop and is $75.00. This workshop is different than the above. This workshop is designed for municipal officials and finance staff who have some experience with governmental accounting, budgeting and basic fiscal operations. The course will cover fund classification, journal entries, reporting entity, measurement focus/basis of accounting, fixed assets, GPFS, CAFR and audit issues. Wade Steen, a recognized professional in this field, will conduct this all day course. Please circle this on your registration form and send the $75.00 registration fee. Since this is an all day course separate from the Conference registration you would only register for Wednesday and Thursday only options on the registration form for the rest of the conference if attending.

Numerous work sessions have been planned so that officials from very large cities to small villages will be able to find something of interest. There will be sessions just for council members and a series of sessions on grants, crime prevention and strategies for small cities, adopting and amending charters, promoting racial justice and neighborhood development are just a few of the other workshops that will be on the schedule.