CCAO invites all county commissioners, affiliates & guests to the "CCAO Summer Seminar" to be held on June 8, 2012 at the Doubletree Columbus/Worthington Hotel.  CCAO is pleased to announce that online registration is available for the first time.  Click on the link below for all the conference information.

Cutbacks in state and federal funding and increased demand for human services in a weak economy are causing county job and family service departments to look at new approaches to achieve efficiencies through department mergers and collaboration projects.  Join CCAO for a 2nd Wednesday Seminar on June 13, 2012.  Contact Tanya McComas, CCAO Administrative Assistant, to register for this seminar.

The CCAO Policy Team recently completed five regional seminars during September entitled "Ohio's State Budget:  Challenges & Opportunities for Counties."  The seminar included a presentation of issues impacting counties such as revenue sources, criminal justice, human services & other budget provisions.  In addition, the seminar provided instructions on how to implement new budget tools with the legislation such as centralized services & intergovernmental agreements, quarterly allotments, and other budget provisions intended to help counties manage with limited revenues. 

This document is the final installment of CCAO's review of the state budget bill (HB 153) as the measure continued through the legislative process and has now been signed into law by the Governor.  The purpose of the document is to provide an overview of the many provisions related to county government included within HB 153 with an emphasis on the various tools to assist commissioners in meeting the funding challenges of the budget.  If you have any questions, contact a member of the CCAO Policy Staff Members at 614/221-5627 or 888/757-1904.

The Ohio Department of Taxation has recently updated spreadsheets that the Department prepared on the “Phase – out of the Tangible Personal Property Tax and Public Utility Deregulation Replacement Payments as Enacted in HB 153.” The Department has prepared an overview for counties explaining the accelerated phase out of TPP and Public Utility Deregulation reimbursement and ten spreadsheets – one each for TPP and Public Utility phase -  out for each of five county levy categories:  mental health/developmental disabilities, public health, senior services, children services, and other levies not included in any of the above categories. For additional information on the financial impact of the accelerated phase - out of TPP and public utility reimbursement as enacted by the state budget on county property tax levies, please see the attached documents.

In September, the ODOT I-71/670 project started in Franklin County (Columbus).  When complete, this major interstate construction project will safely move people, goods and services through Columbus and to the downtown neighborhoods.  Some road closures started in September, while the biggest impact to traffic will occur in November.  Click the link below or call 877/381-7071 for more information before you travel.

The Ohio Department of Taxation has recently released Local Government Fund distribution amounts for calendar years 2011, 2012, and the first six months of 2013. The Department of Taxation also has prepared a document entitled “Changes to the Local Government Fund, as enacted by SFY 12-13 state operating budget.” For additional information on changes made to the Local Government Fund by the State Budget, please see the attached documents.

The CCAO Policy Team has released the "House-passed" version of the budget overview.  This document highlights the impacts of the budget following passage by the Ohio House.  Included is information on revenue impacts, reforms included within the bill, and a breakdown of other changes by subject area.  In addition, the team will continue to update commissioners on changes ad the proposal moves through the legislative process.

The CCAO Policy Staff reviewed and analyzed the Kasich Administration's Budget Proposal - The Jobs Budget...and its impact on county government.  One of the biggest impacts on county government is the Local Government Fund formula being replaced by an appropriation for the biennium.  The Budget utilizes the FY 2011 distribution and appropriates 75% of the amount to the political subdivisions in FY 2012 and 50% of the amount in FY 2013.  In addition, changes in the Tangible Personal Property and Public Utility Reimbursements will cause county budget shortfalls. (See next article for more information on TPP and Public Utility proposals.)

The Kasich Administration has released a detailed 20-page analysis of how it proposes to change reimbursements to counties & other local governments for the Tangible Personal Property tax and Public Utility Tangible taxes on electric & natural gas companies.