Counties receive grant funding to combat drug use
County law enforcement agencies were awarded more than $4 million last week from two drug trafficking, substance use disorder grant programs.
Under the RecoveryOhio Law Enforcement Fund, 26 county agencies (predominantly sheriffs and prosecutors) received funding to increase substance abuse and mental health awareness, including age-appropriate prevention education in schools, and more direct anti-drug law enforcement purposes.
Under the Ohio Drug Law Enforcement Fund, 34 county agencies received funding to support drug task forces and to help drug overdose victims navigate education, support, and treatment options.
Secretary of State directive issued on election security; $10,000 available to each county
Last week, Secretary of State Frank LaRose issued Directive 2026-20 to county boards of elections regarding election safety as the state enters the 2026 election season. The requirements in the directive, many of which are ongoing requirements contained in Chapter 3 of the Elections Officials Manual, must be put in place by August 31.
The directive includes a $10,000 grant per county to support boards of elections in meeting the directive's requirements. Boards of elections must submit a signed copy of the agreement by the end of March.
Requirements in the directive include physical security (such as ensuring all voting equipment have a dual-control lock system) and cybersecurity (such as maintaining Endpoint Detection and Response protocols).
CCAO encourages members to ensure that their board of elections are familiar with the directive and ensure that the board of elections submits the agreement to the Secretary of State by the end of the month to secure the $10,000 available. Top Top 2026 Edition of the Yellow Book released
Attorney General Dave Yost released the 2026 edition of the Ohio Sunshine Laws: An Open Government Resource Manual, more commonly known as the Yellow Book.
The Yellow Book books an in-depth walkthrough of Ohio's public records laws and open meetings laws.
Among the notable additions to the 2026 Yellow Book is a discussion of the use of platforms and/or applications that automatically delete records (found on page 136 of the Yellow Book's PDF/page 126 of the physical Yellow Book). Examples of these platforms/applications include Signal, WhatsApp, and Telegram, among others.
The Yellow Book discourages public employees (including elected officials) from using these platforms/applications due to their self-deleting nature. The Yellow Book reminds public employees that the medium of communication is not determinative of whether or not something is a public record; rather, the content is determinative.
The Attorney General reminds Yellow Book readers that if communications are automatically deleted before they can be retrieved, the public office could be liable for the destruction of public records.
If a public office chooses to allow employees to use these platforms/applications (which the Attorney General strongly encourages against), the Yellow Book recommends it adopt a policy to provide guardrails. Some of the suggested guardrails include the following, among others:
- Specifying which platforms/applications may be used;
- Specifying which devices the platforms/applications may be used on;
- Requiring the setting of automatic message deletion be disabled.
County commissioners, executives, and council members, as well as key county staff, are highly encouraged to review the Yellow Book and refer to it when questions arise regarding public records and/or open meetings (in addition to discussing the issue with your county prosecutor).
President Trump issues EO on public benefit fraud prevention; NACo and CCAO seek information on best practices
Last Monday, President Donald Trump issued the Establishing the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud Executive Order. The task force, which will be led by Vice President J.D. Vance and comprised of federal agency heads, will develop measures to change eligibility verification for federal benefit programs, coordinate with federal agencies to implement per-disbursement controls and potentially preemptively pause funding in cases of suspected fraud, audit and ensure compliance, and promote information and data sharing between all levels of government.
These recommendations are to be made within 60 days of the Executive Order, which means the recommendations will be issued no later than June 14.
NACo is planning on putting together examples of how the 10 states that administer federal benefit programs at the county level advance anti-fraud efforts. Since Ohio is one of those states, CCAO is asking our members to share successful and/or innovative best practices that your county agencies have put in place to highlight the efficiencies that county-administered programs have.
If you would like to provide information about practices your counties implement, please either do so in a reply to this newsletter or to Rachel Reedy at rreedy@ccao.org.
Attorney General issues opinion on levy continuance when agency changes structure
Attorney General Dave Yost issued Attorney General Opinion 2026-001 last week in response to a request from Lake County.
Since 1979, the Lake County Narcotics Agency has investigated illegal drug sales and use and enforced drug-related criminal statutes across throughout the county. The Agency is a multi-jurisdictional subdivision created by agreement between the board of county commissioners, the county sheriff, and other subdivisions in the county.
Since 1982, there has been a countywide property tax levy to provide funding for the agency, and the ballot language specifically states that the funds will be used to "provid[e] funds...for the Lake County Narcotics Agency."
According to the opinion request, the Lake County Board of County Commissioners are interested in dissolving the agency and shifting it to a division of the county sheriff's office, with the intent to preserve the levy as dedicated funding solely for the division.
Attorney General Yost, in AGO 2026-001, cites prior opinions that have found that levies can continue if the functional purpose of the levy is constant, regardless of potential name changes/reorganizations of the original benefiting agency.
Further, since the original resolution proposing the levy nor the ballot language specified the governing structure of the Agency, Yost finds that the Agency can be restructured (in this case, merged into the county sheriff's office) provided that the revenue from the levy continue to be used for the intended purpose of investigating and enforcing anti-narcotics statutes.
The opinion is limited to the specific circumstances of the Lake County situation.
Congress considering surface transportation infrastructure bill with beneficial changes for counties
Congressional negotiations are ongoing for the Bridges and Safety Infrastructure for Community Success (BASICS) Act. The bill, among other provisions, would expand the Surface Transportation Block Grant and amend formula funding for bridges and safety infrastructure to provide direct funding for counties.
More information about the bill is available on NACo's website.
The bill has the support of NACo, the National Association of County Engineers, and other national associations of local governments.
NACo is asking counties to express their support for the bill to their federal representatives, especially Republican representatives to increase the likelihood the bill is included in the final reauthorization package. Contact information for key staffers of Ohio's congressional Republicans can be found here.
NACo has prepared a sample letter for counties to use to show your support for the bill.
If you communicate support to your representative(s), please inform a CCAO staff member so we can assist NACo in tracking outreach. Top WEDNESDAY: Webinar on Ohio Cyber Reserve and Resources
This Wednesday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., CyberOhio will host a webinar with the Ohio Cyber Reserve to share information about the Cyber Reserve's available resources, such as the Cyber Ready Made Kit and the Cyber Reserve Educate and Assist Missions.
The webinar will provide an inside look at the vital work the Reserve does to strengthen cybersecurity statewide and will include a walkthrough of their mission areas along with insights into how their teams mobilize during an event.
The webinar is intended for anyone looking to better understand Ohio’s cyber readiness efforts and for local governments looking for resources to comply with HB 96's cybersecurity program requirement.
Registration is free and can be completed here.
THURSDAY: America 250-Ohio to host webinar on marketing community events
Join America 250-Ohio for an informational webinar on how to work with the commission to effectively market and communicate your America 250 events and experiences.
The webinar will be held on Thursday, March 26, at 2:00 p.m. Registration is free and can be completed here.
Topics may include:
- Social media collaborations and amplification
- Logo use - the ins and outs of using the America 250-Ohio logo; examples of logo uses by partners; guidelines for working with the national America 250 brand
- Promotional partnerships - what they are and how they work
- America 250-Ohio merchandise - partners, guidelines and reviews
- How to share your events with the America 250-Ohio audiences - i.e. calendar of events, etc.
- How to share your materials with us and our audiences - i.e. blog posts, photos, education guides, etc.
- Who's who on the team and how to contact us to get help
- What's next for America 250-Ohio programs
- How you can help us
The session will be recorded to share with participants as well as those who cannot attend. CCAO will help distribute the recording in future editions of Counties Current.
We hope to see you there!
Mental health treatment grant available from federal government
The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications through the end of April for the Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program.
The program is intended to support the implementation of assisted outpatient treatment options to reduce the incidence/duration of hospitalization, homelessness, incarcerations, and interactions with the criminal justice system of people with serious mental illnesses.
For county purposes, counties themselves, mental health authorities (such as ADAMHS boards), and mental health-focused courts are eligible applicants. Additionally, if an agency was funded under prior iterations of the grant program, the agency is ineligible. For Ohio, that means that the Cuyahoga County Community Mental Health Board, the Montgomery County ADAMHS Board, and Erie County are all ineligible for this round of the program.
Awards under the program are limited to $500,000 per year for programs serving 50 or fewer patients and $750,000 per year for programs serving more than 50 patients. Programs can last up to five years.
More information about the program can be found here. Top Each week Counties Current highlights the happenings in our counties in the words of their local media.
One story from each of the CCAO's five districts is highlighted, and on occasion other stories may be highlighted as well.
Northwest District
Defiance commissioners deal with challenges on two big projects
Crescent News, March 20, 2026
Two projects being undertaken by Defiance County commissioners — one downtown, the other on Elliott Road — are presenting some challenges and remain pending, with completion of each possible this year.
The first — building an addition to house an elevator on the county courthouse’s east side — began in late 2024 and was to have been completed by now. But a variety of issues have caused delays.
The most recent is completing the elevator installation. This has been pushed back several months, according to Commissioner Dana Phipps, as there are some issues with the elevator’s delivery.
He said commissioners “aren’t happy with the delay as I am sure the public isn’t either.” But in the meantime, other construction will continue, however some work will have to await until the elevator’s arrival, he explained.
Meanwhile, commissioners have decided not to proceed with the staining of the new addition’s exterior brick after completion. Commissioners had planned to contract for this work when the weather warmed because the brick did not match the original on the remainder of the building.
“Right now we’re putting that on hold,” said Phipps. “We have been speaking with constituents of Defiance County off and on here, and what we decided is to hold off the staining for a minimum of one year to see if there is weathering (to the brick) that will occur.”
While commissioners wait on that and the elevator, other work is continuing, according to Phipps. He noted Thursday that interior improvements to the courthouse’s eastside entrance still have a ways to go.
The project was delayed initially when the courthouse foundation needed additional work. This pushed the work back almost from the get-go and added $196,800 to the original cost ($3.28 million).
Northeast District
Trumbull commissioners seek to control costs of nonunion employees
The Vindicator, March 19, 2026
The Trumbull County commissioners are discussing whether to eliminate a 2026 scheduled 2% wage increase for nonbargaining unit employees under the purview of the commissioner’s office that normally allows nonunion workers to automatically gain a salary increase equivalent to those negotiated by union employees.
The modification, if enacted, would affect nonunion employees in building inspection, human resources, maintenance and vehicle maintenance, dog pound, the Workforce Development Board of Trumbull County, the sanitary engineer’s office, senior levy administration, Trumbull Transit and the 911 Center.
In addition to looking at freezing the proposed wage increases under their control, commissioners Rick Hernandez and Tony Bernard are expected to request other county elected officials and appointing authorities to consider similar measures to reduce general fund expenditures.
Hernandez said the virtually automatic increases that nonbargaining unit employees receive whenever union contracts are negotiated will eventually bankrupt the county.
“We got some real heavy numbers that are going out to nonbargaining units,” he said. “This has been going on since 1994. The commissioners are taking a position to try to keep this county solvent. We don’t want to see layoffs and don’t want to see someone being put out, but we believe the me-too clauses are escalating to a point where it is putting a strain on the budget. We have to, as commissioners, pay attention to where we are going with our budget.”
Hernandez said this effort will not be popular. However, he emphasized they have to do something, and whatever they do will have to be across the board.
Bernard suggested each elected official and department head be responsible for determining the salary increases their nonbargaining unit employees should receive instead of simply following negotiated union contracts that are approved by the commissioners every three years.
“It is like the commissioners are giving a blank check for them to do this,” Bernard said. “If we pass this, we are saying it is up to each public official to live within their budget. If they want to give out additional raises, they can do that as long as they have the money in their budgets.”
Central District
Here's what to know about Licking County's plan to manage growth in the region
Newark Advocate, March 17, 2026
Licking County has launched a comprehensive plan process commissioners say will help manage growth and economic stability in one of the fastest growing areas of central Ohio.
The process will incorporate data to help assess that growth, leverage assets such as farmland and natural areas in the county, align investments in infrastructure and guide long-term fiscal and economic choices, the county stated in a news release.
Townships and municipalities across the county will play a role in the process, and commissioners appointed community members in the area to serve on the leadership team. The group is in place to ensure the process reflects different perspectives and priorities residents and leaders in the county have.
Once completed, the comprehensive plan will be the county’s first in more than 25 years, according to the release.
“This is one of a number of important tools in the county's toolbox to manage change,” Licking County Commissioner Duane Flowers said in the release. “As we undertake this important work, all of our communities, including the townships, should see the value and see opportunities to advance their interests.”
Members of the leadership team first met March 12, a day before the county announced the launch of the upcoming plan. The group and county staff plan to host three events in which it will welcome engagement from the public, through different participation formats.
Southwest District
County buying 27 acres in Harrison Twp. for new Job Center
Dayton Daily News, March 17, 2026
The Montgomery County commission is purchasing 27 acres of land at Forest Park in Harrison Twp. for its new Job and Training Center.
“This project is all about our residents,” said Commission President Carolyn Rice. “The new Job and Training Center will allow us to improve service delivery, enhance technology and strengthen access to resources from Job and Family Services and Workforce Development programs.”
Montgomery County has been paying roughly $4 million annually to keep the center’s presence on Edwin C. Moses Boulevard. The Job Center’s lease with the building’s owner, St. Vincent de Paul, ends on May 31.
Commissioners on Tuesday approved the land purchase agreement for the Harrison Twp. property for $500,000, with the potential of other adjacent parcels being purchased in a future development phase. The county will enter a 90-day due diligence period, which will include surveys, inspections and reviews of environmental and soil conditions. The county expects to close on the property this summer, pending the results of these reviews.
The Job Center relocation project will have an overall estimated price tag of up to $45 million.
The Forest Park site has developable land and is located near other county facilities — Montgomery County Children Services and the Stillwater Center on Main Street. County officials said that this fact, paired with the property’s proximity to public transportation lines, led to the county moving forward with the land purchase.
“We will now have a human services corridor, for the county and for all the residents that will be a great service line for everyone,” said Montgomery County Administrator Michael Colbert.
Southeast District
Jefferson County commissioners warn about rate hikes
Herald Star, March 17, 2026
Jefferson County water customers are already facing a $10-per-month hike in their minimum-use base rate to get the cash-strapped department through 2026, but commissioners warn the pain isn’t going to end there.
Going forward, commissioners were told the system is rapidly nearing the end of its life expectancy — everything from water lines, pumps and fire hydrants to water tanks and transmission lines is at risk of failing — and they’re going to have to find a way to pay for necessary repairs and updates just to keep water flowing through the pipes and into customers’ homes. To get a third-party opinion on exactly how much it’s going to take, commissioners have contracted with the Rural Community Assistance Partnership for a comprehensive water utility rate study.
The price tag for the study is $12,000, but it will include a free study of the county sewer system as well. It will take about 60-90 days for RCAP’s recommendations to come in.
“I think it’s a really great price for all the work they have to do, especially with reviewing all the data,” Arcadis Engineering’s Andrew Dawson said. “I personally think rates will need to be at least doubled to do what needs done here. I think (RCAP) is going to suggest that, if not … more.”
The county’s aging water system includes 300 miles of water lines, 1,500 fire hydrants, 18 water tanks and eight water pump stations, all serving just 8,000 customers. Top MARCH 27
CEBCO Board of Directors' Meeting
APRIL 1 - APRIL 9
Passover
APRIL 5
Easter
APRIL 10
CEBCO Annual Meeting
APRIL 17
CCAO Board of Directors Meeting (virtual) Top
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