Last week the OTA received an e-mail from the Ohio Department of Taxation updating the State Associations to the status of the Local Government Fund. As you all know, last year the General Assembly passed legislation that created a formula for the LGF, rather than the LGF being a line item in the State's budget. By making the LGF a formula-based pot of money, local governments will share in the state's good fortune and, in the case of the economy now, share in the state's bad fortune.

The attached word document was provided to us by the Department of Taxation. The Department explains that LGF projections for 2009 are 7% less than CY 2008 actual receipts due to the economic crisis Ohio and the country is facing. This means that you will likely see at least a 7% reduction in LGF dollars from 2008. The OTA is recommending that you budget at least 8-10% less in LGF revenue for 2009, as the economic conditions are likely to worsen rather than get better.

Should you have any questions about the LGF, please visit the Department of Taxation's website or talk to your county auditor.

Sincerely,

Heidi M. Fought Director of Governmental Affairs Ohio Township Association 6500 Taylor Road, Suite A Blacklick, OH 43004 (614) 863-0045 (614) 863-9751 - Fax

New 01/01/09 Dear Township Officials: I am pleased to announce that Governor Strickland signed HB 458 on Tuesday, December 30. The bill is effective as of December 30, 2008. The OTA encourages you to work with your legal counsel to utilize HB 458 and to clear up any findings for recovery with respect to the health insurance reimbursement issue.

Thank you again for all your calls and letters on this issue.

Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Heidi M. Fought Director of Governmental Affairs Ohio Township Association 6500 Taylor Road, Suite A Blacklick, OH 43004 (614) 863-0045 (614) 863-9751 - Fax

Additionally, the federal government is looking to stimulate the economy by distributing transportation stimulus funds in 2009. It is imperative that township officials communicate their “ready to go” projects to the appropriate state administering agency. A “ready to go” project is being defined as a project that can commence construction within 90-180 days of enactment of the stimulus legislation (we will not know the actual number until final passage of the bill; it also may vary by program), and be completed by the end of calendar year 2010. Funds will not be used for engineering, design, or environmental work. The information provided to the state administering agency should be: the project description, how the project will benefit the community, and the number of jobs that will be created as a result of project funding. In addition to providing the state administering agency with this information, townships should also communicate their “ready to go” projects to their respective Governors’ offices.

Should you have any questions about NATaT's Economic Stimulus Report and Call to Action, feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Jennifer L. Imo

National Association of Towns and Townships (NATaT)

1130 Connecticut Avenue, NW

Suite 300

Washington, DC 20036

202.331.8500 Main

202.454.3947 Direct

202.331.1598 Fax

www.natat.org

[Click here for more infomation in MS Word Document]

[Senate Letter] [House Letter]

Sheriff Patrol Services
Anderson Township has had some issues with the Hamilton County Commissioners regarding our current sheriff patrol contract we have in place.  I am interested in finding out how many, and which, County Sheriffs in Ohio provide any patrol services to unincorporated areas of townships and do not charge those townships 100% of the cost of these services.

Thank you for your consideration.

Henry Dolive, Administrator
Anderson Township, Hamilton County
Voice (513) 688-8400
FAX   (513) 231-2967
HDolive@AndersonTownship.org

Dear Township Officials:

I am happy to report that the Ohio Senate has passed House Bill 458, which would permit townships to use general fund monies derived from inside millage for road/bridge purposes and clarifies the township health insurance statute.

The bill passed out of the Senate Ways & Means Committee earlier today by a vote of 7-0.  There was an amendment added, at the request of the Ohio Department of Taxation, that has no relevance to the township measures in the bill however the amendment did need an emergency clause which HB 458 has.  The full Senate took the measure up this afternoon.  The Senate first voted on whether to include the emergency clause and they voted in the affirmative by a vote of 30-1 with Grendell voting in the negative.  Then the Senate took a vote on the bill and they voted 30-1 to pass the bill with Grendell voting in the negative.

The Ohio Township Association is asking that each township official call or send an e-mail to their respective senators and express your thanks for their vote on HB 458.  You may find the list of senate members and their contact information at http://www.senate.state.oh.us/senators/by_name.html.  Additionally, we ask that you also thank Senator Ron Amstutz, the chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Now HB 458 will head back to the House for concurrence on the changes made to the bill.  The OTA will keep you updated on this bill.

Sincerely,

Heidi

Heidi M. Fought
Director of Governmental Affairs
Ohio Township Association
6500 Taylor Road, Suite A
Blacklick, OH  43004
(614) 863-0045
(614) 863-9751 - Fax

NOTICE: This electronic mail transmission is for the use of the named individual or entity

05-27-08 Legislative Update from OTA-Internet Action, Use of General Fund Moneys, Bid Advertising, Commissions to Study Local Governments and More [click here]

09/07 Pay to Play 

(Political Contributions for Government Contracts)