Chapter 301 | Organization

Section 301.01 | Petition relating to new county or county seat.

• Effective: December 20, 2005
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 107 - 126th General Assembly

When a petition, memorial, or remonstrance is presented to the general assembly for or against the erection of a new county, or for the location or relocation of a county seat, the petitioners must be eighteen years of age and resident taxpayers or voters within the several townships in which they reside. The petition shall set forth the name of the township and county in which the petitioners reside, and that their residence is within or out of the bounds of the proposed new county, as the case may be. The foregoing requirements shall be proven by the certificate of a township fiscal officer or by the oath of a respectable freeholder or voter, certified by a person authorized to administer oaths. The certificate or oath shall specify on the petition, memorial, or remonstrance the number of signers there were to the paper at the time of the certifying or oath.

Section 301.02 | Notice of intention to present petition.

• Effective: September 29, 2011
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 153 - 129th General Assembly

Previous to the presentation of a petition to the general assembly praying that a new county be erected, or for the location or relocation of a county seat, notice of the intention to present such petition shall be given, at least thirty days before the ensuing session of the general assembly, by advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation in each county from which such new county is intended to be taken. If no newspaper is of general circulation within the county, notice shall be given by advertisement affixed to the door of the house where courts are held for such county, for such period of thirty days. The notice shall set forth the boundary lines of the new county, or the place where it is proposed to locate such county seat.

Section 301.03 | Maximum circulation time for petition.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

No petition, memorial, or remonstrance, relative to the erection of a new county, or the change of a county seat, that has been in circulation a longer time than six months previous to the beginning of the session at which it is presented shall be received by the general assembly, nor shall any names of petitioners be written on a separate paper or sheet and attached to such petition, memorial, or remonstrance.

At the time such petition or memorial is presented, the speaker of the house of representatives or president of the senate, to which it is offered, shall inquire whether notice has been given as required by section 301.02 of the Revised Code, and whether such petition or memorial has been a longer time in circulation than is allowed by this section. If satisfactory proof of such requirements is produced, the petition or memorial shall be received, and not otherwise.

Section 301.04 | Petition must show desired location of seat of justice.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

All persons petitioning the general assembly for the erection of a new county, or a review or removal of a seat of justice, shall, in their petition, identify the place where they wish the seat of justice to be fixed, and present therewith the notice required by section 301.02 of the Revised Code.

Section 301.05 | Division of funds with new county.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

When a new county is created and organized, the money remaining in the county treasuries of the counties from which the new county is taken, after deducting all just debts and demands due or owing at the time of setting off the new county, except debts contracted for public buildings in the old county, shall be divided according the land and other taxable property within the new county, and within the counties from which the new county was taken, from which the tax was paid. The county treasurers of the old counties shall pay over such money to the treasurer of the new county. Moneys donated to such county by individuals for erection of public buildings or other purposes, or received as clear profit on the sale of county town lots, the property of such old counties, shall not be subject to division.

Section 301.06 | Settlement between boards of county commissioners.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The board of county commissioners of a new county, created and organized from one or more counties, shall call on the boards of the counties from which such new county was taken for a settlement of the money which remains in the county treasuries of such counties. The boards of such old counties, when called on by the board of the new county, shall settle with it within three months thereafter, and give orders on the old county treasurers, in favor of the new county treasurer, for the amount due such new county, as provided in section 301.05 of the Revised Code, and the old treasurers shall pay such amount to the treasurer of the newly erected county.

Section 301.07 | Enforcing settlement.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

If the board of county commissioners of an old county refuses or neglects, when called on, to settle with the board of a new county, and to give such board an order on its county treasurer for the amount found due such new county, the court of common pleas of the old county shall, upon the application of the board of the new county, proceed in a summary manner, upon notice, to compel the board of such old county to make settlement and give such order. Such court shall enforce any order it makes in the premises by attaching the persons of the commissioners of the old county until such order is complied with and the costs of the application are paid.

If there is no money in the county treasury of the old county to pay such order when presented, the treasurer of the old county shall pay the order from the first money received by him for county purposes.

Section 301.08 | Representation of new counties.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

A new county shall be represented in the house of representatives of the state, during the decennial period in which it is created, in the same manner as if the law creating it had not been passed.

Section 301.13 | Forfeiture for delinquency of duty.

• Effective: October 27, 1981
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 114 - 114th General Assembly

An officer who neglects or refuses to perform a duty charged under sections 301.05 to 301.08 of the Revised Code, relating to funds, shall forfeit and pay a sum not exceeding one hundred fifty dollars, at the discretion of the court of common pleas.

All forfeitures imposed by this section shall be recovered, with costs of suit, in a civil action in the name of the state for the use of the county.

Section 301.14 | Appointment of commissioners to establish seat of justice.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

When a new county is established, the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint three commissioners to fix and establish a seat of justice for such county. No person residing within or holding any real estate in the new county shall be appointed commissioner.

Section 301.15 | Selection of seat of justice.

• Effective: September 29, 2011
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 153 - 129th General Assembly

Within sixty days after their appointment, the commissioners provided for by section 301.14 of the Revised Code, or any two of them, shall assemble at some convenient place in the new county. Twenty days' notice of the time, place, and purpose of such meeting shall be given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the county, or by being posted in three of the most public places in such county. When assembled, after having taken the oath of office prescribed by sections 3.22 and 3.23 of the Revised Code, such commissioners shall proceed to examine and select the most proper place as a seat of justice, as near the center of the county as possible, having regard to the situation, extent of population, quality of land, and the convenience and interest of the inhabitants.

Section 301.16 | Report of commissioners.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

After having agreed upon the place for the seat of justic as provided in section 301.15 of the Revised Code, the commissioners, provided for by section 301.14 of the Revised Code, shall make a report to the next court of common pleas to be held in such county, if it has been organized. If the county has not been organized, such report shall be made to the court of common pleas of any county to which such new county, or any part thereof, is attached for judicial purposes.

Section 301.19 | Commissioners may select another site.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

If the land agreed on by the commissioners, appointed as provided by section 301.14 of the Revised Code, cannot be purchased at the price limited, or if a good title in fee simple cannot be obtained, the commissioners shall select the next most eligible place for the seat of justice.

Section 301.20 | Bribery of commissioners.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

Any commissioner, appointed as provided by section 301.14 of the Revised Code, who receives money or any property as a bribe, either directly or indirectly, in the execution of his office , shall forfeit and pay a sum not less than three hundred nor more than one thousand dollars, for the use of the county, with costs of suit.

Section 301.21 | Compensation of commissioner.

• Effective: October 27, 1981
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 114 - 114th General Assembly

Each commissioner, appointed as provided by section 301.14 of the Revised Code, shall receive three dollars for each day he is employed in discharging the duties required of him by sections 301.14, 301.15, 301.16, 301.19, 301.20, and 301.22 of the Revised Code, and his actual expenses while engaged in such duties, to be paid from the county treasury of the county where such proceedings are returned, and to which the new county is attached, the amount of which, with the interest thereon, shall be refunded by the new county as soon as it is organized.

Section 301.22 | County declared body politic and corporate.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

Every county adopting a charter or an alternative form of government is a body politic and corporate for the purpose of enjoying and exercising the rights and privileges conveyed under it by the constitution and the laws of this state. Such county is capable of suing and being sued, pleading and being impleaded.

Section 301.221 | Liability for loss of public funds.

• Effective: September 13, 2022
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 15 - 134th General Assembly

The treasurer, auditor, or other officer having the duties of a county treasurer or a county auditor, for a county that has adopted a charter under Article X, Ohio Constitution, shall not be held liable for a loss of public funds when the officer has performed all official duties required of the office with reasonable care, but shall be liable only when a loss of public funds results from the officer's negligence or other wrongful act.

Last updated June 30, 2022 at 5:13 PM

Section 301.23 | County civil service commission.

• Effective: August 26, 1977
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 112th General Assembly

The electors of any county may establish, by charter provision, a county civil service commission, personnel office, or personnel department. In any county which, by its charter, creates such a commission, office, or department, and provides a system for appointment to the county service on the basis of merit and fitness, as ascertained by competitive examination, Chapter 124. of the Revised Code is not operative; but the director of administrative services has the same powers and duties with respect to all county civil service commissions, personnel offices, and personnel departments as it possesses with reference to municipal civil service commissions.

Last updated March 9, 2022 at 12:12 PM

Section 301.24 | County health department or agency.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The electors of any county may establish, by charter provision, a county department or agency for the administration of public health services. The authorities provided in accordance with the county charter shall exercise all the powers and perform all the duties which are vested in or imposed upon the authorities of city or general health districts. All health districts shall thereupon by abolished within the county, and the county shall succeed to the property, rights, and obligations of such districts. The department of health shall have the same powers with respect to a county health department or agency as it possesses with reference to a general health district. A county health department or agency may participate in any state grants for the expenses of local health administration on the same basis and to the same degree as a general health district.

Section 301.25 | Noninstitutional relief for needy persons.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

In addition to other powers vested in it, the board of county commissioners of any county may provide for needy persons in the county, whose condition requires it, such noninstitutional support, care, assistance, or relief as they are entitled to received at public expense, and establish a suitable office or agency for its administration.

Section 301.26 | Acquisition, maintenance, and operation of county parks by board of county commissioners.

• Effective: March 14, 1980
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 356 - 113th General Assembly

The board of county commissioners of any county may acquire, construct, improve, maintain, operate, and protect parks, parkways, and forests, and provide an agency for their administration. For such purposes the board may acquire real estate in fee or a lesser interest, and may receive and execute the terms of gifts and bequests of money, lands, or other properties.

This section does not authorize a county to appropriate any property acquired by a park district pursuant to section 1545.11 of the Revised Code. The board may make contributions to a park district pursuant to section 307.281 of the Revised Code.

Section 301.27 | Use of county credit cards.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Credit card" includes gasoline and telephone credit cards but excludes any procurement card authorized under section 301.29 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Officer" includes an individual who also is an appointing authority.

(B) A board of county commissioners, in consultation with the county auditor, shall adopt a policy by resolution regarding the use of county credit cards by the board of county commissioners, by the office of any other county appointing authority, or by an officer or employee of the board or any other appointing authority. The board shall deliver a copy of the policy to the county auditor. The policy shall include all of the following:

(1) The procedure for submitting itemized receipts for purchases to the county auditor;

(2) Any other provision regarding the use of county credit cards so long as the provision does not conflict with this section.

(C) A county credit card shall be used in accordance with this section and in accordance with the policy adopted under division (B) of this section.

(D) A county appointing authority shall apply to the board of county commissioners for authorization to have an officer or employee of the appointing authority use a county credit card. The authorization request shall state whether the card is to be issued in the name of the office of the appointing authority in the name of an officer or employee. A county appointing authority shall notify, and update as necessary, the county auditor and the board of county commissioners regarding in whose name a county credit card is issued.

(E)(1) A county credit card shall be used only for purchases that satisfy all of the following:

(a) The purchase is for a work-related expense.

(b) The purchase serves a public purpose.

(c) The debt incurred as a result of the purchase is payable with available moneys appropriated to a specific appropriation line item that is appropriate for the purchase.

(d) The purchase complies with this section and with the policy adopted by the board of county commissioners under division (B) of this section.

(2) An officer, employee, or appointing authority is liable in the manner prescribed under division (H) of this section for the following, unless approved by the board of county commissioners:

(a) Finance charges;

(b) Late fees or late penalties;

(c) Sales tax.

(F)(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (F)(2) of this section, every officer or employee authorized to use a county credit card shall submit to the board by the first day of each month an estimate of the officer's or employee's work-related expenses along with the specific appropriation line items from which those expenditures are to be made, unless the board authorizes, by resolution, the officer or employee to submit to the board such an estimate for a period longer than one month. The board may revise the estimate and determine the amount it approves, if any, not to exceed the estimated amount. The board shall certify the amount of its determination to the county auditor along with the specific appropriation line items from which the expenditures are to be made. After receiving certification from the county auditor that the determined sum of money is in the treasury or in the process of collection to the credit of the specific appropriation line items for which the credit card is approved for use, and is free from previous and then-outstanding obligations or certifications, the board shall authorize the officer or employee to incur debt for the expenses against the county's credit up to the authorized amount.

(2) In lieu of following the procedure set forth in division (F)(1) of this section, a board of county commissioners may adopt a resolution authorizing an officer or employee of an appointing authority to use a county credit card to pay for specific work-related expenses, or use a specific credit card for work-related expenses, without submitting an estimate of those expenses to the board as required by division (F)(1) of this section. Before adopting the resolution, the board shall notify the county auditor. The resolution shall specify whether the officer's or employee's exemption extends to the use of a specific credit card or to one or more specific work-related uses. A new resolution is not necessary when a new credit card number is issued due to fraudulent use of the specified credit card. Before any credit card exempted for specific uses may be used to make purchases for uses other than those specific uses listed in the resolution, the procedures outlined in division (F)(1) of this section must be followed or the use shall be considered an unauthorized use. Use of any credit card under division (F)(2) of this section shall be limited to the amount appropriated and encumbered in a specific appropriation line item for the permitted use or uses designated in the authorizing resolution, or, in the case of a resolution that authorizes use of a specific credit card, for each of the permitted uses listed in the resolution, but only to the extent the moneys in those specific appropriation line items are not otherwise encumbered.

(3) Any time a county credit card approved for use for an authorized amount under division (F)(1) of this section is used for more than that authorized amount, any time a county credit card approved for specific work-related expenses under division (F)(2) of this section is used for other uses, or any time an officer or employee has authority to use a specific card under division (F)(2) of this section but uses a different county credit card, the appointing authority may request the board of county commissioners to authorize after the fact the unauthorized expenditure if, upon the board's request, the county auditor certifies that sum of money is in the treasury or in the process of collection to the credit of the appropriate appropriation line item for which the credit card was used, and is free from previous and then-outstanding obligations or certifications. If for any reason that expenditure is not authorized after the fact, the county treasury shall be reimbursed as provided in division (H) of this section.

(G) After making a credit card purchase, the officer or employee shall provide to the county auditor an itemized receipt, in accordance with the policy adopted by the board of county commissioners under division (B) of this section.

(H) Any time a county credit card is used in a manner that is not in accordance with this section or with the policy adopted under division (B) of this section, the county treasury shall be reimbursed for the amount spent not in accordance with this section or with the policy adopted under division (B) of this section, as follows:

(1) If the card is issued in the name of a specific officer or employee, that officer or employee is liable in person and upon any official bond the officer or employee has given to the county for reimbursing the county treasury.

(2) If the card is issued in the name of the office of the appointing authority, the appointing authority is liable in person and upon any official bond the appointing authority has given to the county for reimbursing the county treasury.

(I) Whenever any officer or employee who is authorized to use a credit card suspects the loss, theft, or possibility of unauthorized use of the card, the officer or employee shall notify the county auditor and either the officer's or employee's appointing authority or the board immediately and in writing.

(J) If the county auditor determines a credit card has been used in a manner that is not in accordance with this section or the policy adopted under division (B) of this section, the auditor immediately shall notify the board of county commissioners. If the board determines, on its own or after notification from the county auditor, that the county treasury should be reimbursed for as provided in division (H) of this section, the board shall give written notice to the county auditor and to the officer or employee or appointing authority liable to the treasury as provided in that division. If, within thirty days after issuance of the written notice, the county treasury is not reimbursed for the amount shown on the written notice, the prosecuting attorney of the county shall recover that amount from the officer or employee or appointing authority who is liable under this section by civil action in any court of appropriate jurisdiction.

(K) Use of a county credit card in a manner that is not in accordance with this section or with the policy adopted under division (B) of this section is a violation of section 2913.21 of the Revised Code.

Last updated September 11, 2023 at 10:25 AM

Section 301.28 | Resolution authorizing acceptance of payments by financial transaction devices for county expenses.

• Effective: April 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 63 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Financial transaction device" includes a credit card, debit card, charge card, or prepaid or stored value card, or automated clearinghouse network credit, debit, or e-check entry that includes, but is not limited to, accounts receivable and internet-initiated, point of purchase, and telephone-initiated applications or any other device or method for making an electronic payment or transfer of funds.

(2) "County expenses" includes fees, costs, taxes, assessments, fines, penalties, payments, or any other expense a person owes or otherwise pays to a county office under the authority of a county official, other than dog registration and kennel fees required to be paid under Chapter 955. of the Revised Code. "County expenses" includes payment to a county office of money confiscated during the commitment of an individual to a county jail, of bail, of money for a prisoner's inmate account, and of money for goods and services obtained by or for the use of an individual incarcerated by a county sheriff. "County expenses" includes online financial transaction device payments made through the official public sheriff sale web site pursuant to section 2329.153 of the Revised Code.

(3) "County official" includes the county auditor, county treasurer, county engineer, county recorder, county prosecuting attorney, county sheriff, county coroner, county park district and board of county commissioners, the clerk of the probate court, the clerk of the juvenile court, the clerks of court for all divisions of the courts of common pleas, and the clerk of the court of common pleas, the clerk of a county-operated municipal court, and the clerk of a county court.

The term "county expenses" includes county expenses owed to the board of health of the general health district or a combined health district in the county. If the board of county commissioners authorizes county expenses to be paid by financial transaction devices under this section, then the board of health and the general health district and the combined health district may accept payments by financial transaction devices under this section as if the board were a "county official" and the district were a county office. However, in the case of a general health district formed by unification of general health districts under section 3709.10 of the Revised Code, this entitlement applies only if all the boards of county commissioners of all counties in the district have authorized payments to be accepted by financial transaction devices.

The term "county expenses" also includes fees for services and the receipt of gifts to the county law library resources fund authorized by rules adopted by the county law library resources board under division (D) of section 307.51 of the Revised Code. If the board of county commissioners authorizes county expenses to be paid by financial transaction devices under this section, then the county law library resources board may accept payments by financial transaction devices under this section as if the board were a "county official."

The term "county expenses" also includes fees, costs, assessments, fines, penalties, payments, or any other expense issued by a court of common pleas that a person owes or otherwise pays to a county department of probation established under section 2301.27 of the Revised Code. If the board of county commissioners authorizes county expenses to be paid by financial transaction devices under this section, then the county department of probation may accept payments by financial transaction devices under this section as if the chief probation officer or chief probation officer's designee was a "county official" and the department was a "county office." However, in the case of a multicounty department of probation, this entitlement applies only if all the boards of county commissioners of all counties in the multicounty department have authorized payments to be accepted by financial transaction devices. A clerk of the court of common pleas may continue accepting payments by financial transaction devices for a county department of probation as authorized under this section.

(B) Notwithstanding any other section of the Revised Code and except as provided in division (D) of this section, a board of county commissioners may adopt a resolution authorizing the acceptance of payments by financial transaction devices for county expenses. The resolution shall include the following:

(1) A specification of those county officials who, and of the county offices under those county officials that, are authorized to accept payments by financial transaction devices;

(2) A list of county expenses that may be paid for through the use of a financial transaction device;

(3) Specific identification of financial transaction devices that the board authorizes as acceptable means of payment for county expenses. Uniform acceptance of financial transaction devices among different types of county expenses is not required.

(4) The amount, if any, authorized as a surcharge or convenience fee under division (E) of this section for persons using a financial transaction device. Uniform application of surcharges or convenience fees among different types of county expenses is not required.

(5) A specific provision as provided in division (G) of this section requiring the payment of a penalty if a payment made by means of a financial transaction device is returned or dishonored for any reason.

The board's resolution shall also designate the county treasurer as an administrative agent to solicit proposals, within guidelines established by the board in the resolution and in compliance with the procedures provided in division (C) of this section, from financial institutions, issuers of financial transaction devices, and processors of financial transaction devices, to make recommendations about those proposals to the board, and to assist county offices in implementing the county's financial transaction devices program. The county treasurer may decline this responsibility within thirty days after receiving a copy of the board's resolution by notifying the board in writing within that period. If the treasurer so notifies the board, the board shall perform the duties of the administrative agent.

If the county treasurer is the administrative agent and fails to administer the county financial transaction devices program in accordance with the guidelines in the board's resolution, the board shall notify the treasurer in writing of the board's findings, explain the failures, and give the treasurer six months to correct the failures. If the treasurer fails to make the appropriate corrections within that six-month period, the board may pass a resolution declaring the board to be the administrative agent. The board may later rescind that resolution at its discretion.

(C) The county shall follow the procedures provided in this division whenever it plans to contract with financial institutions, issuers of financial transaction devices, or processors of financial transaction devices for the purposes of this section. The administrative agent shall request proposals from at least three financial institutions, issuers of financial transaction devices, or processors of financial transaction devices, as appropriate in accordance with the resolution adopted under division (B) of this section. Prior to sending any financial institution, issuer, or processor a copy of any such request, the county shall advertise its intent to request proposals in a newspaper of general circulation in the county once a week for two consecutive weeks or as provided in section 7.16 of the Revised Code. The notice shall state that the county intends to request proposals; specify the purpose of the request; indicate the date, which shall be at least ten days after the second publication, on which the request for proposals will be mailed to financial institutions, issuers, or processors; and require that any financial institution, issuer, or processor, whichever is appropriate, interested in receiving the request for proposals submit written notice of this interest to the county not later than noon of the day on which the request for proposals will be mailed.

Upon receiving the proposals, the administrative agent shall review them and make a recommendation to the board of county commissioners on which proposals to accept. The board of county commissioners shall consider the agent's recommendation and review all proposals submitted, and then may choose to contract with any or all of the entities submitting proposals, as appropriate. The board shall provide any financial institution, issuer, or processor that submitted a proposal, but with which the board does not enter into a contract, notice that its proposal is rejected. The notice shall state the reasons for the rejection, indicate whose proposals were accepted, and provide a copy of the terms and conditions of the successful bids.

(D) A board of county commissioners adopting a resolution under this section shall send a copy of the resolution to each county official in the county who is authorized by the resolution to accept payments by financial transaction devices. After receiving the resolution and before accepting payments by financial transaction devices, a county official shall provide written notification to the board of county commissioners of the official's intent to implement the resolution within the official's office. Each county office subject to the board's resolution adopted under division (B) of this section may use only the financial institutions, issuers of financial transaction devices, and processors of financial transaction devices with which the board of county commissioners contracts, and each such office is subject to the terms of those contracts.

If a county office under the authority of a county official is directly responsible for collecting one or more county expenses and the county official determines not to accept payments by financial transaction devices for one or more of those expenses, the office shall not be required to accept payments by financial transaction devices, notwithstanding the adoption of a resolution by the board of county commissioners under this section.

Any office of a clerk of the court of common pleas that accepts financial transaction devices on or before July 1, 1999, and any other county office that accepted such devices before January 1, 1998, may continue to accept such devices without being subject to any resolution passed by the board of county commissioners under division (B) of this section, or any other oversight by the board of the office's financial transaction devices program. Any such office may use surcharges or convenience fees in any manner the county official in charge of the office determines to be appropriate, and, if the county treasurer consents, may appoint the county treasurer to be the office's administrative agent for purposes of accepting financial transaction devices. In order not to be subject to the resolution of the board of county commissioners adopted under division (B) of this section, a county office shall notify the board in writing within thirty days after March 30, 1999, that it accepted financial transaction devices prior to January 1, 1998, or, in the case of the office of a clerk of the court of common pleas, the clerk has accepted or will accept such devices on or before July 1, 1999. Each such notification shall explain how processing costs associated with financial transaction devices are being paid and shall indicate whether surcharge or convenience fees are being passed on to consumers.

(E) A board of county commissioners may establish a surcharge or convenience fee that may be imposed upon a person making payment by a financial transaction device. The surcharge or convenience fee shall not be imposed unless authorized or otherwise permitted by the rules prescribed by an agreement governing the use and acceptance of the financial transaction device.

If a surcharge or convenience fee is imposed, every county office accepting payment by a financial transaction device, regardless of whether that office is subject to a resolution adopted by a board of county commissioners, shall clearly post a notice in that office and shall notify each person making a payment by such a device about the surcharge or fee. Notice to each person making a payment shall be provided regardless of the medium used to make the payment and in a manner appropriate to that medium. Each notice shall include all of the following:

(1) A statement that there is a surcharge or convenience fee for using a financial transaction device;

(2) The total amount of the charge or fee expressed in dollars and cents for each transaction, or the rate of the charge or fee expressed as a percentage of the total amount of the transaction, whichever is applicable;

(3) A clear statement that the surcharge or convenience fee is nonrefundable.

(F) If a person elects to make a payment to the county by a financial transaction device and a surcharge or convenience fee is imposed, the payment of the surcharge or fee shall be considered voluntary and the surcharge or fee is not refundable.

(G) If a person makes payment by financial transaction device and the payment is returned or dishonored for any reason, the person is liable to the county for payment of a penalty over and above the amount of the expense due. The board of county commissioners shall determine the amount of the penalty, which may be either a fee not to exceed twenty dollars or payment of the amount necessary to reimburse the county for banking charges, legal fees, or other expenses incurred by the county in collecting the returned or dishonored payment. The remedies and procedures provided in this section are in addition to any other available civil or criminal remedies provided by law.

(H) No person making any payment by financial transaction device to a county office shall be relieved from liability for the underlying obligation except to the extent that the county realizes final payment of the underlying obligation in cash or its equivalent. If final payment is not made by the financial transaction device issuer or other guarantor of payment in the transaction, the underlying obligation shall survive and the county shall retain all remedies for enforcement that would have applied if the transaction had not occurred.

(I) A county official or employee who accepts a financial transaction device payment in accordance with this section and any applicable state or local policies or rules is immune from personal liability for the final collection of such payments.

Last updated March 15, 2023 at 9:09 AM

Section 301.29 | Use of procurement cards.

• Effective: February 12, 2004
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 82 - 125th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Officer" includes an individual who also is an appointing authority.

(2) "Procurement card" means a financial transaction device as defined in section 301.28 of the Revised Code and as authorized under this section, but excludes any credit card authorized under section 301.27 of the Revised Code.

(B) A procurement card held by a board of county commissioners or the office of any other county appointing authority shall be used only to pay work-related expenses. No late charges or finance charges shall be allowed as an allowable expense unless authorized by the board of county commissioners.

(C)(1) In any county that chooses to use procurement cards, the board of county commissioners shall, by resolution, adopt a policy with the advice of the county auditor, for the county's use of those cards. The resolution shall include provisions that limit the use of a procurement card to payment for one or more specific work-related or specific classes of work-related expenses, and limit procurement card transactions to a specific number of transactions per day, month, quarter, or other specified period as authorized in division (F)(2) of this section, by supplier or work-related expense. In addition, the resolution shall limit a procurement card to daily and monthly spending limits.

The resolution also shall contain a list of administrative controls that the board determines, after consulting with the county auditor, will be sufficient for use of a procurement card. Those administrative controls shall include at a minimum the following:

(a) An aggregate amount that may be incurred through use of each card within a day, week, or month;

(b) Classes of permissible goods and services that may be purchased with a procurement card;

(c) In case a procurement card is misused, a procedure for revocation of the card.

(2) The county auditor shall develop internal accounting controls in consultation with the auditor of state for the implementation of this section.

(3) If a board of county commissioners adopts a policy under division (C)(1) of this section, it shall advertise a request for proposals from issuers of procurement cards in a newspaper of general circulation within the county at least once a week for two consecutive weeks. The advertisement shall specify the purpose of the request, the type of procurement card or cards sought, and the date by which proposals must be received. That date shall not be less than ten days after the last day of the second week in which the request is advertised.

The board also may post the advertisement by electronic means, including posting the advertisement on the county's internet site on the world wide web. If the advertisement is posted on the county web site, the board may eliminate the second newspaper publication otherwise required by this division if the first notice published in a newspaper of general circulation meets all of the following:

(a) It is published at least two weeks before the date required for the receipt of the proposals.

(b) It includes a statement that the notice is posted on the county's internet site on the world wide web.

(c) It includes the county's internet address on the world wide web.

(d) It provides instruction for accessing the advertisement on the county web site.

The board shall determine upon the advice of the county auditor and county treasurer whether to contract with any one or more issuers that submit a timely proposal. Before entering into a contract, the board shall adopt a resolution stating the contract's intent and guidelines consistent with divisions (C)(1) and (2) of this section for the use of each procurement card.

(D) A county appointing authority may apply to the board of county commissioners for authorization to have an officer or employee of the appointing authority use a procurement card held by that appointing authority. The authorization request shall state whether the card is to be issued only in the name of the office of the appointing authority or whether the issued card also shall include the name of a specified officer or employee.

(E) The debt incurred as a result of the use of a procurement card under this section shall be paid from moneys appropriated to specific appropriation line items of the appointing authority.

(F)(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (F)(2) of this section, every officer or employee authorized to use a procurement card held by the board or appointing authority shall submit to the board by the first day of each month an estimate of the officer's or employee's work-related expenses for that month, unless the board authorizes, by resolution, the officer or employee to submit to the board such an estimate for a period longer than one month. The board may revise the estimate and determine the amount it approves, if any, not to exceed the estimated amount. The board shall certify the amount of its determination to the county auditor along with the specific appropriation line items from which the expenditures are to be made. After receiving certification pursuant to division (D) of section 5705.41 of the Revised Code that the specific appropriation line item for which the procurement card is approved for use is free from previous and then-outstanding obligations or certifications, the board shall authorize the officer or employee to incur debt for the expenses against the county's credit up to the authorized amount.

(2) In lieu of following the procedure set forth in division (F)(1) of this section, a board of county commissioners may adopt a resolution authorizing an officer or employee of an appointing authority to use a county procurement card to pay for specific classes of work-related expenses, or to use a specific procurement card for any work-related expenses, without submitting an estimate of those expenses to the board as required by division (F)(1) of this section. Prior to adopting the resolution, the board shall notify the county auditor. The resolution shall specify whether the officer's or employee's exemption extends to the use of a specific procurement card, which card shall be identified by its number, or to one or more specific work-related uses. Before any procurement card issued for specific uses may be used to make purchases for uses other than those specific uses listed in the resolution, the procedures outlined in division (F)(1) of this section must be followed or the use shall be considered an unauthorized use. Use of any procurement card under division (F)(2) of this section shall be limited to the amount appropriated and encumbered in a specific appropriation line item for the permitted use or uses designated in the authorizing resolution, or, in the case of a resolution that authorizes use of a specific procurement card, for any work-related expense, but only to the extent the moneys in those specific appropriation line items are not otherwise encumbered.

(3) A procurement card shall not be used in any manner that circumvents the competitive bidding requirements of section 307.86 of the Revised Code.

(G)(1) Any time a county procurement card approved for use for an authorized amount under division (F)(1) of this section is used for more than that authorized amount, the appointing authority may request the board of county commissioners to authorize after the fact the expenditure of any amount charged beyond the originally authorized amount if, upon the board's request, the county auditor certifies that sum of money is in the treasury or in the process of collection to the credit of the appropriate appropriation line item for which the procurement card was used, and is free from previous and then-outstanding obligations or certifications. If the card is used for more than the amount originally authorized and if for any reason that amount is not authorized after the fact, the county treasury shall be reimbursed for any amount spent beyond the originally authorized amount in the following manner:

(a) If the card is issued in the name of a specific officer or employee, the officer or employee is liable in person and upon any official bond the officer or employee has given to the county to reimburse the county treasury for the amount charged to the county beyond the originally authorized amount.

(b) If the card is issued to the office of the appointing authority, the appointing authority is liable in person and upon any official bond the appointing authority has given to the county for the amount charged to the county beyond the originally authorized amount.

(2) No user of a county procurement card authorized for use under division (F)(2) of this section shall use the card for any expenditure that is more than the amount appropriated under that division. If at any time a county procurement card authorized for use under division (F)(2) of this section is used for more than the amount appropriated under that division, the appointing authority may request the board of county commissioners to issue a supplemental appropriation or make a transfer to the specific appropriation line items as permitted in section 5705.40 of the Revised Code, to cover the amount charged beyond the originally appropriated amount. If the card is used for more than the amount originally appropriated and if for any reason that amount is not appropriated or transferred as permitted by this division, the county treasury shall be reimbursed for any amount spent beyond the originally appropriated amount in the following manner:

(a) If the card is issued in the name of a specific officer or employee, the officer or employee is liable in person and upon any official bond the officer or employee has given to the county for reimbursing the county treasury for any amount charged on the card beyond the originally appropriated amount.

(b) If the card is issued in the name of the office of the appointing authority, the appointing authority is liable in person and upon any official bond the appointing authority has given to the county for reimbursement for any amount charged on the card beyond the originally appropriated amount.

(3) Whenever any officer or employee who is authorized to use a procurement card held by the board or the office of any other county appointing authority suspects the loss, theft, or possibility of unauthorized or unlawful use of the card, the officer or employee shall notify the county auditor and the officer's or employee's appointing authority or the board immediately and in writing.

(4) If the county auditor determines there has been a procurement card expenditure beyond the appropriated or authorized amount as provided in division (F) of this section, or for an unlawful purpose, the auditor immediately shall notify the board of county commissioners. When the board determines, on its own or after notification from the county auditor, that the county treasury should be reimbursed for procurement card expenditures beyond the appropriated or authorized amount as provided in divisions (G)(1) and (2) of this section, it shall give written notice to the county auditor and to the officer or employee or appointing authority liable to the treasury as provided in those divisions. If, within thirty days after issuance of this written notice, the county treasury is not reimbursed for the amount shown on the written notice, the prosecuting attorney of the county shall recover that amount from the officer or employee or appointing authority who is liable under this section by civil action in any court of appropriate jurisdiction.

(H) Use of a county procurement card for any use other than those permitted under division (B) of this section is a violation of law for the purposes of section 2913.21 of the Revised Code.

Section 301.30 | Tax, fee, assessment on auxiliary containers by charter counties.

• Effective: September 30, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly

No county that has adopted a charter under Section 3 of Article X, Ohio Constitution, may impose a fee, tax, assessment, or other charge on auxiliary containers, on the sales, use, or consumption of such containers, except as authorized in Chapters 5739. and 5741. of the Revised Code, or on the basis of receipts received from the sale of such containers. As used in this section, "auxiliary container" has the same meaning as in section 3767.32 of the Revised Code.

Last updated August 5, 2021 at 1:58 PM