CCAO member races, county ballot issues unofficial results
Last week, Ohioans went to their polling places and voted on a number of primary elections and local issues. As a gubernatorial election year, one commissioner seat was up for election in each statutory county, as well as the county auditor position.
There were 102 county commissioner, county executive, and county council seats, as well as 35 county ballot issues. Full lists of the CCAO member races and the county ballot issues can be found on CCAO's Data Exchange.
Based on the unofficial results, 11 incumbents lost primary challenges:
- Denny Bittle (Ashland County)
- Cindy Carpenter (Butler County)
- Donald Leggett (Carroll County)
- Jim Dvorak (Geauga County)
- Stephanie Summerow Dumas (Hamilton County)
- Michael Linton (Hocking County)
- Mark Holtsberry (Paulding County)
- David Haber (Preble County)
- Julie Ehemann (Shelby County)
- Denny Malloy (Trumbull County)
- Eddie Place (Washington County)
Additionally, in Lorain County, incumbent Jeff Riddell finished the night with a 17-vote lead. That is within the automatic recount threshold, so the outcome could change once provisional ballots are counted and the recount is conducted.
As it currently stands, there will be at least 50 contested races in November, 30 of which will feature an incumbent. The remaining 54 seats did not have a primary in both parties, although there may be independents who filed to run.
As a note, there are two seats on the ballot in November that were not on the ballot this week. The unexpired terms in Fulton County and Sandusky County became vacant after the filing deadline for the primary, so there were not primary contests. Instead, the county political parties will appoint candidates to the ballot.
On the ballot issue front, there were 30 property tax levies, four sales tax levies (two county sales tax levies and two transit authority sales tax levies), and a referendum on a wind and solar energy siting designation.
Of the property tax levies, 19 passed and 11 were unsuccessful. This cycle featured a high number of levies, more than half (17), seeking new money. Of the 11 unsuccessful levies, 10 were new money requests. All of the unsuccessful levies were for human service purposes.
Of the four sales tax levies on the ballot, the only one to pass was Mahoning County's continuation of its 0.25% tax for roads and bridges.
Miami County attempted a 0.50% tax for a new jail but was unsuccessful. Licking County was attempting to set up its transit authority with a 0.15% sales tax levy but was unsuccessful, and the Stark Area Regional Transit Authority was seeking to renew its 0.35% tax, but voters rejected it.
Finally, there was a referendum on Richland County’s designation of restricted areas for wind and solar energy facilities. Voters approved the referendum, which means the restricted areas will remain in place. Top Top Former OBM directors pen op-ed against elimination of property taxation
The following is an op-ed that originally ran in the Columbus Dispatch on May 7, written by four former directors of the Office of Budget and Management (OBM):
- Bill Shkurti, OBM director for former Governor Dick Celeste from 1984-1987;
- Greg Browning, OBM director for former Governor George Voinovich from 1991-1998;
- Tom Johnson, OBM director for former Governor Bob Taft from 1999-2006; and
- Pari Sabety, OBM director for former Governor Ted Strickland from 2007-2011.
As former Ohio budget directors for Republicans and Democrats alike, we don’t always agree on everything. But on one thing we are united: a proposed constitutional amendment to eliminate property taxes in Ohio is one of the most reckless proposals we have ever seen.
Ohioans are fed up with rising property taxes, and more must be done to help homeowners. But eliminating the largest local revenue source for local governments and schools would set Ohio on a collision course toward financial ruin.
The property taxes slated for elimination generate $21.4 billion a year in Ohio – nearly equal to the combined revenue from the state sales tax ($14 billion) and state income tax ($10.5 billion).
Since the proposal has no plan to replace the lost revenue, maintaining current service levels would require drastic increases to other taxes, substantial reductions in services, or a combination of both.
According to the Ohio Office of Budget and Management, the state income tax would more than quadruple from 2.75% to approximately 15% to fill the budget hole, making it the highest in the country. If that doesn’t happen, the state sales tax would triple from 5.75% to nearly 20%, devastating businesses in every border county.
There will be massive layoffs
The Ohio Ballot Board certified a constitutional amendment May 14, 2025 that would ban property taxes in Ohio put forward by Citizens for Property Tax Reform.
But let’s say we don’t raise those taxes and just eliminate the property tax, which provides nearly two-thirds of the funding for local revenue. We would see massive cuts to essential services like police/fire/EMS, schools, senior services, veterans’ services, services for individuals with developmental disabilities and at-risk youth, libraries and more.
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According to the coalition Ohioans to Protect Public Services, more than 32,000 police officers, firefighters and EMS personnel would be laid off. More than half of Ohio teachers’ jobs would be eliminated.
Libraries, swimming pools, recreation centers and parks would be forced to close. Funding to build and rebuild schools, roads and bridges – and the good-paying jobs those projects create – would disappear. Abolishing property taxes would mean abolishing these essential services.
Schools, cities, and towns will collapse
There are hidden costs, too.
Ohio’s local governments and schools have more than $22 billion in outstanding bonds, money borrowed to build schools, police and fire stations, roads and other public infrastructure projects.
If there is no property tax revenue to pay the debt service on those bonds, local governments and schools would face possible defaults on those bonds, while credit rating agencies could downgrade existing bonds to “junk” status. Facing huge revenue shortfalls, towns and cities on the edge of fiscal collapse would face a wave of bankruptcies in a financial freefall.
Every state in the country utilizes property taxes because – unlike income and sales taxes, which can fluctuate with the economy – property taxes provide a stable and predictable revenue source to fund essential services and retire debt at the local level. And no state in the country has eliminated its property tax, as this proposal does.
Ohio should not be the first.
We spent important parts of our careers responsibly managing the state’s finances to ensure Ohio remains on stable financial footing, and that’s why we’re sounding the alarm: Ohioans deserve real solutions to rising property taxes, not a proposal that creates more serious problems than it solves.
Attorney General Opinion on county investment advisory committee authority issued
Last week, Attorney General Dave Yost issued Attorney General Opinion 2026-004, in response to a request from the Lucas County Prosecutor.
The Opinion concerns county investment in foreign debt. The request posed five questions:
- Does the Revised Code allow investment in sovereign debt of any foreign nation that satisfies the criteria in R.C. 135.35(A)(10)?
- Can a county investment advisory committee adopt a policy that prohibits or restricts investments otherwise authorized by the Revised Code?
- Can a county investment advisory committee adopt a legally binding motion on the county treasurer to not reinvestment in foreign government bonds upon maturity?
- Does the Revised Code allow for the removal of the county treasurer's investment authority for not following an unlawful investment advisory committee policy?
- Would the county's non-reinvestment in Israeli bonds upon maturity violate R.C. 9.76?
The overarching thrust of the opinion is that county investment decisions must be guided by ensuring the best and safest return of county funds and cannot be made with the "primary purpose of influencing any environmental, social, personal, or ideological policy."
The specific question of reinvestment in Israeli bonds is not addressed since that is beyond the scope of an Attorney General Opinion, but if a decision is made to constitute a "boycott" of a foreign jurisdiction, that would likely violate the prohibition on making investment decisions for ideological reasons.
Counties should review the Attorney General Opinion to familiarize themselves with the scope of what county investment advisory committees can and cannot do.
Attorney General Dave Yost to resign on June 7
Last week, Attorney General Dave Yost announced that he will resign his position on June 7 to take a job with a national non-profit. Governor Mike DeWine accepted the resignation.
Governor DeWine will appoint an individual to serve the remainder of the term, which expires at the end of the year. Top Save the Date! 2026 Innovation Summit to be held on July 30
The Ohio Innovation and Technology Association recently announced that it will hold the 2026 Innovation Summit on Thursday, July 30, in Columbus.
The Summit, which traditionally includes cabinet directors, legislative leaders, local government officials, and private sector leaders, will have a focus on artificial intelligence this year.
Planned topics include:
- The State of AI
- AI Impact on Private Industry Sectors
- AI Demos from OITA Partners
- Data Centers & Energy Solutions
- AI Policy Discussions
- AI Deployment in Government
Future editions of Counties Current will include information on how to register once registration for the event opens.
State funding opportunities
The table below contains current state grant or loan programs. A more comprehensive list can be found on the Ohio Grants Partnership webpage.
Grant Program
|
Brief Summary
|
Eligibility Criteria
|
Amount Available
|
Application Due Date
|
| County Coastal Erosion Control Loan Program |
To provide financing for construction of erosion control structures in coastal erosion areas. |
Counties with Lake Erie shoreline containing coastal erosion areas:
Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Erie, Lake, Lorain, Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky
|
Unspecified total, no maximum per request |
May 22, 2026 |
| Dam Safety Loan Program |
To provide financing for planning, design, and construction of dams and repairs. |
Counties, county sewer districts, and soil and water conservation districts, among others |
Maximum loan: $7.5 million |
May 22, 2026 |
| H2Ohio Conservation Ditch Program |
To fund construction of two-stage and self-forming ditches. |
Soil and water conservation districts and county engineers |
Unspecified, funding model is reimbursement |
June 1, 2026 |
| Ohio Sexual Assault Investigations Grant Program |
To reimburse for the cost of testing sexual assault kits, including capacity building for agencies that complete sexual assault investigations |
Law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and crime labs |
Unspecified, funding model is reimbursement |
June 10, 2026 |
| Extradition Reimbursement Program |
To reimburse LEAs for the cost of in-state and out-of-state extraditions. |
Law enforcement agencies and prosecutor's offices |
Unspecified total, no maximum per request; No match |
June 10, 2026 |
| Shine a Light on Dumpers Program |
To assist local governments in cleaning existing solid-waste dump sites and to take preventative action to deter future dumping. |
Counties and other local governments |
Max awards: $100,000 (clean-up projects);
$20,000 (deterrence projects)
|
July 31, 2026 |
Federal funding opportunities
The table below contains a sampling of current federal grant or loan programs. A full list can be found on Grants.gov.
Grant Program
|
Brief Summary
|
Eligibility Criteria
|
Amount Available
|
Application Due Date
|
| Youth Gang Prevention and Intervention Program |
To support the implementation of intervention and suppression strategies to reduce youth gang crime and to promote public safety. |
General Availability |
Maximum award: $500,000
No match required
|
May 21, 2026 |
| Rural Law Enforcement Violent Crime Reduction Initiative |
To support rural law enforcement and prosecutors through implementation of a crime reduction strategy that utilizes at least one of three specified approaches. |
Counties serving rural areas
|
Maximum award: $400,000
No match required
|
May 27, 2026 |
| De-escalation and Crisis Response Training Program |
To support the development, implementation, and/or expansion of de-escalation and crisis response training programs that improve law enforcement responses to and outcomes for individuals in crisis who have behavioral health conditions or physical or intellectual disabilities. |
General Availability |
Maximum award: $700,000
No match required
|
June 6, 2026 |
| Cooperative Landslide Hazard Mapping and Assessment Program |
To assist in the assessment and management of landslide risks through hazard mapping, public education, and community preparedness. |
General Availability |
Maximum award: $250,000
No match required
|
June 10, 2026 |
| Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program |
To improve railroad safety, efficiency, and reliability, to mitigate congest at both intercity passenger rail and freight rail choke points, and to enhance multi-modal connections. |
General Availability |
Total available: $2 billion
Local match of at least 20% (limited exceptions apply)
|
June 22, 2026 |
| Defense Community Infrastructure Program |
To address deficiencies in community infrastructure supportive of a military installation. |
Counties in proximity to a military installation |
Maximum award: $20 million
Local match of at least 30% (limited exceptions apply)
|
June 25, 2026 |
| Title X Family Planning Services Grants |
To promote the general family planning programs and goals under Title X of the Public Health Service Act. |
General Availability |
Maximum award: $22 million
Local match of between 1% and 10%
|
January 9, 2027 |
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.
A paid subscription may be required to view the full article in some cases.
Northwest District
Busy agenda for commissioners: Transit, mental health, HR changes
Advertiser-Tribune, May 7, 2026
The Seneca County Board of Commissioners approved a slate of resolutions and heard updates on several infrastructure projects during its regular Tuesday morning meeting, including plans for a new "green building" transit facility and a propane vehicle fleet.
Mary Habig, director of North Central Area Transit, presented commissioners with two pressing items from the agency Tuesday morning: placement of a 1,000-gallon above-ground propane tank to fuel a new fleet of bi-fuel vehicles and the ongoing procurement process for a large new maintenance and storage building on county property.
She said the agency is transitioning from electric vehicles to propane-capable vehicles.
"The vehicles we're getting are going to be between 12 and 15 vehicles," Habig said. "They're considered bi-fuel vehicles, which means they can run on fuel, gasoline, or they can ride with propane."
The propane tank placement has been complicated by setback requirements of 25 feet from neighboring properties, six feet from power lines and five to six feet from driveways, and Habig said an initial location she had in mind was ruled out after a conversation with the county's maintenance staff.
"I need the expertise of the commissioners to let me know where you would like us to have this thousand gallon tank brought in," Habig said.
Commissioners agreed that Commissioner Bill Frankart and the county's maintenance director would walk the property with Habig to identify an appropriate location.
The larger project, an 18,000-square-foot facility to be constructed on a roughly three-acre field between the NCAT building and the Opportunity Center, has been in development for about two and a half years. Habig described it as a "green building" designed to collect rainwater and snowmelt from surrounding rooftops into a cistern, power a drive-through bus wash from that collected water, and generate electricity through rooftop solar panels.
"We want to put small panel electric panels on the roof for the energy to help pay for the cost of it," Habig said.
She said the project also addresses security concerns for both the transit agency's vehicles and those housed by the Opportunity Center.
Northeast District
Bay Village officials formally thank Cuyahoga County Executive, former city resident Chris Ronayne
Cleveland.com, May 6, 2026
City officials, during a May 4 City Council meeting, presented a certificate of appreciation to Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne, who grew up in Bay Village.
“I think it’s always important to recognize partners and people who are special to the city of Bay Village and help advance the quality of life that we have for our residents,” Council President Dwight Clark said. “We invited Chris. He grew up in Bay Village and went to Bay High School, class of ’86.”
Clark, in presenting the certificate on behalf of City Council and Mayor Paul Koomar, said it was to recognize the county’s “exceptional joint participation in many city of Bay Village municipal projects.”
“Since 2020, Cuyahoga County has provided over $4.8 million of funding for capital projects,” Clark said. “A large part of that was (repaving) Wolf Road, which is just phenomenal. People still rave about it.”
Clark also pointed to repaving work on Bradley Road as another successful project that received county funds.
“It’s important to recognize in person what you have done,” Clark said.
Mayor Paul Koomar also expressed his gratitude, saying the county was helping the city by contributing funds for the proposed lakefront project at Cahoon Memorial Park that would improve lakefront access while combating erosion.
Ronayne said the county is working with numerous communities along the lakefront to stabilize and improve their lakefronts. He credited Bay Village with being “a little further ahead” than some of the other communities.
“I’m honored,” Ronayne said, adding he did not realize when he agreed to attend the City Council meeting that he would be receiving a certificate of appreciation.
Central District
Delaware County jail increases rate for holding federal detainees
Columbus Dispatch, May 5, 2026
The Delaware County Commissioners renewed a longstanding contract with U.S. Marshals to hold federal detainees at the Delaware County Jail.
The commissioners on May 4 approved the contract by a 2-0 vote, with Commissioner Barb Lewis absent.
The county jail has held 118 federal prisoners from Jan. 1, 2020, through May 4. But the jail has not held any detainees for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, in that timeframe, a sheriff's department spokesperson told The Dispatch.
From 2020-2025, the county billed the U.S. Marshals a total $1.4 million for holding federal detainees, according to information provided by the sheriff's office.
Sheriff Jeff Balzer told the commissioners that since the late 1980s the county has had a contract with the U.S. Marshals Service to hold prisoners. The contract, Balzer said, occasionally needs to be updated and the county needs to renegotiate the rates.
The new three-year contract increases the daily rate per prisoner from $83, which it has been since May 2020, to $102, and increases the hourly transportation rate from $36 to $49.50.
Southwest District
Clark County commission honors Clark State’s Blondin for her service
Springfield News Sun, May 8, 2026
Clark County commissioners honored Clark State President Jo Alice Blondin for her time at the college as she nears retirement.
Blondin, who was honored during the May 5 commission meeting with a proclamation, will retire at the end of June after a 33-year career in higher education, including 13 years at Clark State as the fifth president.
“I’m excited, I’ve been looking forward to this for a while now — to celebrate your time here,” said Commission President Sasha Rittenhouse during the meeting.
“First and foremost, I want to say a huge thank you to the commission for recognizing me. That means so much to me,” Blondin said. “I love this college, I love the residents of Clark County, and our commission has excellent leadership. Thank you so very much for recognizing me.”
Blondin said many people are asking her what she’s doing after she retires. The first thing she tells them is she is staying in Springfield, especially because her daughter, who is a veterinarian, lives there.
“It’s a lovely community. I’m proud to be from here,” she said.
Rittenhouse talked about how she’s a graduate of Clark State and appreciated that opportunity.
“I don’t think I ever would have survived college had I not been able to attend Clark State … I hold that very near and dear to my heart,” she said, explaining her oldest daughter also graduated from Global Impact STEM Academy last year with her high school diploma and associate’s degree from Clark State.
“I appreciate those opportunities and I know a lot of those opportunities have come from the hard work that Dr. Blondin has done … You do it with fantastic ease and you’re a fantastic leader and you’ve done a lot of great things … we can’t thank you enough for all of the things that you have done for our community.”
Southeast District
Washington County Sheriff’s Office awarded $454K in congressional funding as part of six-county public safety coalition
WTAP, May 6, 2026
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office announced it has received $454,000 in congressional directed spending funding to support a new six-county coalition aimed at strengthening public safety efforts across Southeast Ohio.
Sheriff Warden said the funding was secured “through a lot of hard work by a lot of different individuals and organizations,” including the Washington County commissioners, the government relations firm Sunday Creek Horizons, and a coalition of sheriffs representing six counties.
The money will be used for officer safety upgrades — including in-car cameras — and for investigative infrastructure and tools intended to expand what agencies can do when working together across county lines.
“This is a big day… for Southeast Ohio,” Warden said, describing the effort as more than an investigative partnership. “This is your entire agency coming together as a coalition… multiplying your work staff.”
Officials said the coalition is designed to help departments respond to crime trends that don’t stop at county borders, including narcotics trafficking along major corridors.
Warden pointed to Interstate 77 — which runs through Washington County and neighboring counties — as a key route.
“When you can reach out to six different counties… and bring in manpower to work interdiction up on those roads… that’s a force multiplier,” he said.
The coalition is intended to be flexible, allowing sheriffs to shift resources where needed.
“When I-77 gets hot, this is where the coalition comes into play,” Warden said, adding that resources could move to other counties, such as Athens County, when activity shifts.
During the press conference, officials acknowledged that agencies often operate with different systems and communications limitations.
“Each agency is an island, sometimes within themselves,” Warden said, referencing differences in radio systems and frequencies. Top MAY 15
CCAO Board of Directors Meeting
MAY 20 - 22
CEBCO Board of Directors Retreat
MAY 25
Memorial Day - Holiday
MAY 29
CCAO / CEAO Central District Meeting
JUNE 11
CCAO / CEAO Northwest District Meeting Top
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