Chapter 345 | Memorial Buildings

Section 345.01 | Soldiers' memorial tax levy - resolution.

• Effective: September 13, 2022
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 140 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in this chapter, "the county auditor's appraised value" has the same meaning as in section 5705.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) The taxing authority of any municipal corporation, township, or county, at any time not less than one hundred days prior to a general election in any year, by a vote of two-thirds of all members of the taxing authority, may, and upon presentation to the clerk or fiscal officer, as the case may be, of the taxing authority of a petition signed by not less than two per cent of the electors of the political subdivision, as shown at the preceding general election held in the subdivision, shall, declare by resolution that the amount of taxes which may be raised within the ten-mill limitation will be insufficient to provide an adequate amount for the necessary requirements of the subdivision, and that it is necessary to levy taxes in excess of the limitation for either or both of the following purposes:

(1) For purchasing a site, and for erecting, equipping, and furnishing, or for establishing a memorial to commemorate the services of all members and veterans of the armed forces of the United States;

(2) For the operation and maintenance of a memorial, and for the functions related to it.

The resolution shall be confined to the purposes set forth in this section, and shall specify the amount of increase in rate which it is necessary to levy, expressed both in mills for each one dollar of taxable value and in dollars for each one hundred thousand dollars of the county auditor's appraised value, the purpose of the rate increase, and the number of years during which the increase shall be in effect. The increase may include a levy upon the tax duplicate of the current year. The number of years shall be any number not exceeding ten. The question of an increase in tax rate under divisions (B)(1) and (2) of this section may be submitted to the electors on one ballot.

The total tax for the purposes included in this section shall not, in any year, exceed one mill of each dollar of taxable value.

The resolution shall go into immediate effect upon its passage, and no publication of the resolution, other than that provided for in the notice of election, shall be necessary.

Last updated July 15, 2022 at 8:35 AM

Section 345.02 | Bond issue for soldiers' memorial.

• Effective: October 30, 1989
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 230 - 118th General Assembly

The taxing authority of any municipal corporation, township, or county may issue the bonds of such subdivision for the purpose of purchasing a site, and for erecting, equipping, and furnishing, or for establishing a memorial to commemorate the services of all members and veterans of the armed forces of the United States. Any such taxing authority may determine to submit to the electors of the subdivision the question of issuing such bonds make the declarations and statements required by section 133.18 of the Revised Code. The county auditor and taxing authority shall thereupon proceed as set forth in divisions (C) and (D) of such section. The election on the question of issuing such bonds shall be held under divisions (E), (F), and (G) of section 133.18 of the Revised Code. Such bond issue shall require the affirmative vote of sixty per cent of those electors voting upon the proposition.

Section 345.03 | Tax levy resolution certified to board of elections - notice of election.

• Effective: September 13, 2022
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 140 - 134th General Assembly

A copy of any resolution adopted under section 345.01 of the Revised Code shall be certified within five days by the taxing authority and not later than four p.m. of the ninetieth day before the day of the election, to the county board of elections, and such board shall submit the proposal to the electors of the subdivision at the succeeding general election. The board shall make the necessary arrangements for the submission of such question to the electors of the subdivision, and the election shall be conducted, canvassed, and certified in like manner as regular elections in such subdivision.

Notice of the election shall be published once in a newspaper of general circulation in the subdivision, not less than two weeks prior to such election. The notice shall set out the purpose of the proposed increase in rate, the levy's estimated annual collections, the amount of the increase expressed in dollars for each one hundred thousand dollars of the county auditor's appraised value as well as in mills for each one dollar of taxable value, the number of years during which such increase will be in effect, and the time and place of holding such election.

Last updated July 15, 2022 at 8:38 AM

Section 345.04 | Form of ballot for tax levy.

• Effective: September 13, 2022
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 140 - 134th General Assembly

The form of the ballot cast at a general election, as provided by sections 345.01 to 345.03 of the Revised Code, shall be: "An additional tax for the benefit of (name of subdivision) for the purpose of (state purpose stated in the resolution), that the county auditor estimates will collect $_____ annually, at a rate not exceeding _____ mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $_____ for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value, for (the number of years the levy is to run).

	For the Tax Levy
	Against the Tax Levy	"

If the tax is to be placed on the current tax list, the form of the ballot shall be modified by adding, after the statement of the number of years the levy is to run, the phrase ", commencing in __________ (first year the tax is to be levied), first due in calendar year __________ (first calendar year in which the tax shall be due)."

The question covered by the resolution shall be submitted to the electors as a separate proposition, but it may be printed on the same ballot with any other proposition submitted at the same election other than the election of officers. More than one such question may be submitted at the same election.

Last updated July 15, 2022 at 8:40 AM

Section 345.05 | Majority vote required for approval of tax levy.

• Effective: February 20, 1986
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 583 - 116th General Assembly

If a majority of the electors voting on the tax levy provided for in section 345.01 of the Revised Code, vote in favor thereof, the taxing authority of a political subdivision, as provided by such section, may levy a tax within such subdivision, at the additional rate outside of the ten-mill limitation, during the period and for the purpose stated in the resolution, or at any lesser rate, or for any of such years or purposes.

Section 345.06 | Appointment of board of trustees prior to vote of electors.

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

Prior to the vote of the electors authorizing bonds, or an additional tax levy as provided for in sections 345.02 to 345.05, inclusive, of the Revised Code, the taxing authority of the township or county or the mayor of the municipal corporation may, regardless of whether funds are presently available to complete the project, appoint a board of trustees, as provided by section 345.08 of the Revised Code, to determine and recommend to the taxing authority of the appointing subdivision the nature, extent, and estimated cost of an appropriate war memorial.

Such board shall formulate specific plans for the erection of such war memorial, or alternate plans, and obtain estimates of the cost of the completed project and all other information and data reasonably necessary to advise the residents of the appropriate subdivision as to the proposals of the board, either as an incident to an election for the voting of a tax levy or authorizing a bond issue, or both, for the purpose of erecting such memorial, or for the information of the appropriating authority in the event that the funds are available without a bond issue or additional tax levy.

Such board may call upon county engineers, city engineers, and other agencies of the appropriate subdivision to assist such board in preparing its proposals for such war memorial.

The taxing authority of the township, county, or municipal corporation may appropriate such amounts as are reasonably necessary to defray the preliminary expenses of such board incurred in hiring architects, engineers, and other persons or organizations to assist in preparing plans and estimates of the cost of a war memorial.

Section 345.07 | Certification of tax levy voted outside ten-mill limitation.

• Effective: August 22, 1995
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 99 - 121st General Assembly

A tax levy voted outside the ten-mill limitation under sections 345.03 to 345.05 of the Revised Code, shall be certified to the taxing authority of the political subdivision in the first year of such levy. The levy shall be extended on the tax lists after the February settlement succeeding such election. If such additional tax is to be placed on the tax list of the current year, as specified in the resolution providing for the submission thereof, the result of the election shall be certified, immediately after the canvass by the board of elections, to the taxing authority, which shall forthwith make the necessary levy and certify it to the county auditor, who shall extend it on the tax list for collection. Such levy shall, in all years after the first year, be included in the annual tax budget that is certified to the county budget commission.

Section 345.08 | Board of trustees.

• Effective: April 7, 2009
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 266 - 127th General Assembly

Within five days after the certification to the taxing authority of the result of an election held under sections 345.02 to 345.05 of the Revised Code, provided a majority of the votes cast on the proposal submitted are in favor of such proposal, or within five days after adoption by the taxing authority of an ordinance or resolution to authorize the issuance of any such bonds without a vote of the electors, the taxing authority of the township or county, or the mayor of the municipal corporation shall appoint a board of trustees, consisting of at least five but not more than eleven members, which shall, at all times, be so constituted that at least a majority of its members are honorably discharged veterans of the armed forces of the United States. A majority of such trustees shall be appointed for three years and the remaining trustees shall be appointed for five years, and thereafter, on the expiration of the original term, appointments shall be made for terms of five years. Appointments to fill vacancies shall be for the unexpired term.

Section 345.09 | Meetings of board of trustees.

• Effective: October 25, 1978
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 349 - 112th General Assembly

The appointing authority of the board of trustees provided by section 345.08 of the Revised Code, in making the appointments, shall fix a time and place for the first meeting of the board and shall give the trustees notice of such meeting. The time of such first meeting shall be not more than fifteen days after the date of their appointment. The board shall meet at the time and place appointed, and shall organize by the selection of a president, a vice-president, and a secretary, who need not be a member of the board, but who shall be a veteran, or the surviving spouse or parent of a deceased veteran who served in the armed forces of the United States in time of war. The compensation of such secretary shall be fixed by the board.

The trustees shall serve without compensation, but shall be allowed traveling and other expenses, which, with the compensation of the secretary and other necessary expenses of the board, shall be paid from the fund provided by section 345.11 of the Revised Code, on the order of the president and secretary, after being allowed and approved by the board at an authorized meeting.

Vacancies in the office of trustee shall be filled in the manner provided by section 345.08 of the Revised Code. The board shall hold regular meetings at such time and place as it agrees upon, and special meetings shall be held under such regulations as it prescribes. The board shall keep a full record of its proceedings.

Section 345.10 | Bond of trustees - employment of superintendents and architects.

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

Before making any expenditures from the memorial fund, the trustees appointed under section 345.08 of the Revised Code shall give bond to the state in such sum as the appointing authority fixes, and to the approval of such authority. Premium payments for such bond shall be an authorized expenditure by the board of trustees.

The board may appoint and employ such superintendents, architects, clerks, laborers, and other employees as are necessary, and fix their compensation. Whenever qualified veterans are available such appointees shall be veterans of the armed forces of the United States. Any such person may be removed at any time by a majority of the board.

Section 345.11 | The memorial fund.

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

The fund arising from a tax levy, or the proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized to be issued under sections 345.01 to 345.17, inclusive, of the Revised Code, shall be placed in the treasury of the subdivision to the credit of a fund to be known as "The Memorial Fund." Such fund shall be paid out on the order of the board of trustees, certified by the president and secretary of such board.

Section 345.12 | Establishment of memorial - acquisition of site - donations.

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

The board of trustees may provide for the establishment, arrangement, plans, and design of the soldiers' memorial provided by section 345.01 of the Revised Code; it may provide for the maintenance of such memorial; it may make such contracts, and such purchases of supplies and materials as are necessary. The board may acquire by purchase, condemnation, or otherwise, any necessary site for such memorial. Before acquiring any site or making any contract for construction of a memorial, the board shall secure the approval of such site and the design of the memorial from the taxing authority of the appointing subdivision. If it is necessary to condemn property for such purpose, the site fixed by the board shall be appropriated as provided for the appropriation of lands by the subdivision by which said board was appointed, and all purchases and contracts shall be made pursuant to the applicable laws of such subdivision. The board may accept donations of personal or real property or money, and all donations of money by gift, bequest, or otherwise shall be placed to the credit of the memorial fund.

Section 345.13 | Purpose of soldiers' memorial.

• Effective: October 24, 2024
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 301 - 135th General Assembly

A soldiers' memorial, provided for by section 345.01 of the Revised Code, shall be maintained so as to commemorate the services of all members and veterans of the armed forces of the United States. The board of trustees shall make rules and regulations for the use, administration, and maintenance of such memorial as is fitting and necessary to carry out the purposes thereof. The board of trustees may make rules and regulations for entertainment, retail, educational, sporting, social, cultural, or arts opportunities at the memorial.

When such memorial is a building, it shall provide suitable apartments of sufficient dimensions to commemorate the soldiers, sailors, marines, and all members of the armed forces of the United States, so designated by congress, who have lost their lives while in the service of the country. Suitable tablets shall be maintained with the names of such soldiers, sailors, and marines inscribed thereon. The building may include a public auditorium, music hall, and recreational facilities.

The board may establish rental fees and other charges for the use of the memorial, and it may waive any portion of such charges.

With the approval of the board of county commissioners, the board of trustees may enter into contracts with political subdivisions or nonprofit organizations for the use of other facilities separate and apart from the memorial, and to provide other services. Such use shall adhere to the rules and regulations established by the board of trustees to carry out the purposes of the memorial.

Last updated August 28, 2024 at 1:32 PM

Section 345.14 | Powers of board of trustees.

• Effective: June 11, 1968
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 321 - 107th General Assembly

The board of trustees, established by section 345.08 of the Revised Code, in addition to its usual powers shall:

(A) Conduct, maintain, and operate a soldiers' memorial, for the benefit of the entire county, for community, civic, and patriotic purposes;

(B) Provide, with or without cost, suitable and convenient county headquarters for all nationally organized veterans' organizations, chartered by congress;

(C) Use, rent, and lease office space in such memorial buildings to agencies of the United States and of this state or any of their political subdivisions engaged in any activity for the benefit of the men and women of the armed forces of the United States and the honorably discharged veterans thereof, and all earnings or receipts shall be used for the maintenance thereof;

(D) Co-ordinate and assemble within a county, as nearly as possible, in a one-stop information or service center in such memorial, all governmental agencies operated for the benefit of the honorably discharged veterans of the armed forces of the United States.

(E) Deposit in a bank or trust company, subject to the provisions of sections 135.01 to 135.21, inclusive, of the Revised Code, all moneys, gifts and rentals excepting funds arising from the proceeds of the sale of bonds coming into the possession of said board of trustees by virtue of its operation. Thereupon, such funds may be disbursed by the board of trustees for the uses and purposes of such memorials and shall be accounted for as provided by law.

Section 345.15 | Interest in contract.

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

No trustee, officer, or employee of the board of trustees of a soldiers' memorial shall be interested in any contract entered into by the board, nor shall a trustee, officer, or employee of the board be individually liable to any contractor upon any contract made under sections 345.01 to 345.17, inclusive, of the Revised Code, or to any person on any claim occasioned by any act or default of a contractor, or any one employed by such contractor.

Section 345.16 | Employment of veterans.

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

The board of trustees, for soldiers' memorials under its control, shall employ only honorably discharged soldiers, sailors, and marines, both men and women, of the armed forces of the United States, if available, as caretakers, janitors, or employees.

Employment of any person who is not such an honorably discharged soldier, sailor, or marine, without a showing on the journal of the board that none of the latter were available, shall be void, and it shall be unlawful to pay any money out of any fund to such person.

Last updated March 10, 2022 at 11:31 AM

Section 345.17 | Permitting use of county buildings.

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

The board of county commissioners may permit the occupancy by any society or association of soldiers, sailors, marines, and pioneers, or any historical association, of any county building, or part thereof, not necessary for other county purposes.

Section 345.18 | Limitation.

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

Sections 345.01 to 345.17, inclusive, of the Revised Code apply exclusively to memorials erected, equipped, furnished, and maintained or established by any political subdivisions of the state. All sections of the Revised Code, inconsistent with or prohibiting the exercise of the authority conferred by sections 345.01 to 345.17, inclusive, of the Revised Code, shall be deemed to be inoperative for the purpose of such sections.