Final week for CCAO Summer Symposium early bird pricing!
Early bird pricing for CCAO's 2026 Summer Symposium ends NEXT MONDAY, on August 10. Afterwards, registration for the event, to be held in Hamilton County, will be at the standard price of $340.
The Symposium will include sessions on data center development, an EMA disaster simulation, how counties can continue to combat the addiction crisis, and more.
It will also include a tour of the Cincinnati Convention Center, Cincinnati's Rhine Tunnels, and an evening at the Great American Ballpark.
Registration for the event is limited to county commissioners, county executives, county council members, and key staff.
OCERP Retirement Advisors holding webinar on budgeting in August
Join your Ohio County Employees Retirement Plan (OCERP) Retirement Plan Advisor for their July and August 2026 Financial Wellness Webinars:
- August: Budgeting
- Do you have a monthly budget? Your Retirement Plan Advisor will review the basics of budgeting and how having a budget in place helps you stay on track to meet your retirement savings goal.
Registration is required, but is free. Please select the registration link in the table below based on which OCERP region your work location is located within. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email that includes the meeting access information.
SNAP payment error rate webinar materials available
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services recently held a webinar for CCAO members regarding the release of the first county-level SNAP payment error rate report.
The Department has shared the slide deck from the webinar and an FAQ concerning the process, based off questions that were asked during the webinar. These are linked to below.
Webinar Slide Deck
SNAP Payment Error Rate FAQ
CCAO appreciates the work of our county JFS agency staff in driving the state's error rate down. We continue to advocate for policies and practices with our state partners to help Ohio continue that work.
If you have questions concerning SNAP payment error rates, please contact Rachel Reedy. Top Top Department of Administrative Services to appropriate $10 million for NG 9-1-1 rollout
Last week, the state Controlling Board approved a Department of Administrative Services (DAS) request for $10 million towards last-mile connections in the Next Generation 911 system.
The $10 million will be used to cover anticipated expenses for establishing last-mile connections and enhancing the connections currently in place. A pilot test with 10 counties was completed on June 30, 2025 and as of June 2026, most counties had indicated their intent to migrate to the Next Generation 911 Core Services (NGCS) system.
Last-mile connections have currently been established in 53 counties, with 22 counties fully active in the system. The appropriation will provide funds to establish last-mile connectivity in remaining counties and enhance connectivity across all current and future connections.
Specific funding efforts include the following:
- Purchase and installation of circuits for last-mile connections in remaining counties, as many are now evaluating their local networks and/or replacing their 911 phone systems.
- GIS-related software updates to provide accurate call routing and consistent data formatting, as well as training local officials on the formats for address data entry.
- Establish a tertiary connection with AT&T/FirstNet to the OARnet Next Generation 911 network and to public safety answering points (PSAPs) to prevent outages in the event of fiber connectivity issues.
- Establish NGCS connectivity with emergency systems in bordering states and Canadian provinces.
DAS added it anticipates “nearly all” counties will be fully active on the Next Generation 911 network by the end of FY27, well in advance of a five-year deadline of July 1, 2030.
Back-to-school sales tax holiday will occur this weekend
Unlike the past two years, Ohio will be reverting back to the standard back-to-school sales tax holiday this year. The holiday will occur this weekend, from Friday, August 7, through Sunday, August 9.
The back-to-school holiday is more limited than the expanded holidays of 2024 and 2025. For counties, the most notable difference is that foregone sales tax revenue due to back-to-school holidays are not reimbursed.
Sales tax will be waived on the following items:
- All items of clothing priced at $75 or less;
- School supplies priced at $20 or less; and,
- School instructional materials priced at $20 or less.
The Department of Taxation has detailed listing of eligible items and answers to common scenarios.
Schools: Last week to sign up for Team Tressel Fitness Challenge
Counties are encouraged to help spread the word for schools to sign up and join the 3rd round of the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge before the August 7 deadline passes.
Round 3 of the challenge will begin on August 31st, and schools can sign up now to participate at TeamTressel.Ohio.gov.
The challenge runs for 30 days, can be plugged in when it best fits schools' schedules, includes grade-specific workbooks designed to meet students where they are, and is designed so students may complete it before, during, or after school. Top Guidance for SFY 2027 Brownfield Remediation Grants released; overview webinar TOMORROW
The Department of Development recently released the updated Fiscal Year 2027 guidelines and application information for the Brownfield Remediation Program. Applications will open on August 11 and will close on September 11.
The Brownfield Remediation Program provides grants for the cleanup of brownfield sites and assists with the remediation of hazardous substances or petroleum at industrial, commercial, or institutional properties.
Remediation may include the acquisition of a brownfield, demolition performed at a brownfield, and the installation or upgrade of the minimum amount of infrastructure necessary to make a brownfield site operational for economic development activity.
The SFY 2027 program year will provide roughly $120 million in grants, with funds being awarded on a merit-based evaluation process that takes the following criteria into consideration:
- Economic merit of the project to the county, surrounding counties, and state;
- Ensuring that projects are awarded in different regions of the state;
- Readiness of the project to begin upon notification of award; and,
- Local support of the proposed project.
The Department is hosting an overview webinar for the new program year TOMORROW from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. You can register for the webinar here.
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
|
| Court Improvement Program: Court Navigator Grant |
To support the implementation of a Court Navigator Pilot Program within abuse, neglect, and dependency (A/N/D) cases. |
Courts of Common Pleas Juvenile Courts |
One grant of up to $80,000.
No match required.
|
August 5, 2026 |
| Court Improvement Program: Technology Grant |
To help juvenile and probate courts improve their ability to maintain operations during emergencies, enhance virtual hearing capabilities, and enhance digital communications with families and system partners. |
Courts of Common Pleas Juvenile and Probate Courts |
Maximum grant: $25,000
No match required.
|
August 5, 2026 |
| Court Improvement Program: Mediation Grant |
To support the creation of mediation programs within A/N/D cases, to assist older youth transitioning out of foster care, to address school absenteeism, and to prevent child welfare or juvenile justice involvement. |
Courts of Common Pleas Juvenile Courts |
Maximum grant: $80,000
No match required.
|
August 5, 2026 |
| Ohio Environmental Education Fund |
To support environmental education and restoration efforts based on priorities identified by the OEEF Advisory Council. |
Entities regulated by the OEPA |
Between $500 and $25,000
|
August 14, 2026 |
| Brownfield Remediation Program |
To assist in the remediation of hazardous substances or petroleum at industrial, commercial, or institutional properties. |
General availability |
$120 million available
No match required
|
September 11, 2026 |
| Precinct Election Official Recruitment and Training Grant |
To provide assistance in the recruitment and training of precinct election officials for the 2026 November general election. |
County boards of elections |
Set allocation per county, contact the Secretary of State for further information
|
Unspecified, but terms must be completed by November 2, 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
|
| Continuum of Care and Youth Homelessness Program |
To provide funding to enable the quick rehousing of homeless individuals, families, and other vulnerable populations. |
General availability |
$4 billion available
Local match of at least 25%
|
August 26, 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
State seeks penalties over alleged illegal cattle operation
Toledo Blade, July 30, 2026
Ohio Attorney General D. Andrew Wilson’s office is seeking thousands of dollars in penalties from an Indiana couple it claims illegally built a concentrated animal feeding operation, or CAFO, for more than 1,000 cattle some 18 months ago.
The allegations against James N. Schmucker, Catherine E. Schmucker, and their teenage son, James S. Schmucker, Jr., all of the same residence along South 1000 East near Angola, Ind., were filed Monday in Williams County Common Pleas Court.
The 10-page document, filed by Assistant Attorneys General Eliza Vanness and Greta Raser, said the state is seeking more than $25,000 in fines for violations of Ohio’s CAFO laws. They said in their filing that they are entitled to seek up to $10,000 per violation per day.
The plaintiffs also seek a court order requiring the Schmuckers to obtain the necessary Ohio Department of Agriculture permits within 90 days. They need separate permits to build their structures and to operate them, the complaint states.
The Schmucker-owned site is in a rural part of Williams County’s Superior Township, just east of the Indiana-Ohio state line.
According to the complaint, the Schmuckers began building two side-by-side beef cattle barns, each capable of holding up to 999 cattle, in February, 2025, without obtaining the required permits. The size of those barns and their proximity to one another effectively made the operation one large CAFO, the state attorneys general said.
Under Ohio law, more than 1,000 cattle housed at any one location is considered a CAFO.
Northeast District
Ashland County commissioners commit $10K to juvenile court education, prevention initiative
Ashland Source, July 31, 2026
Karen DeSanto Kellogg’s request of the Ashland County Board of Commissioners last week proved fruitful Thursday.
The Ashland County Juvenile and Probate Court judge asked the three-member board on July 23 for funding from the county’s opioid settlement fund to support a community-based education and prevention initiative designed to “strengthen the ability to recognize and respond to youth mental health concerns and to help identify early indicators of substance abuse.”
Kellogg did not assign a specific dollar amount to the request, but urged commissioners to consider the ask and its alignment with established parameters as to what opioid settlement funds can be used for — which includes preventative education and resource connection, according to the board.
Commissioners on Thursday unanimously approved a $10,000 funding commitment from the county’s opioid settlement fund to the court’s initiative.
“It sounds like a good program to try out,” Commissioner Michael Welch said.
Last week, Commissioner Jim Justice said the efforts proposed by Kellogg would not be a duplication of any existing county program.
“I believe that the settlement proceeds, or some portion of settlement proceeds from the opioid settlement, directly align with the vision of providing additional substance abuse and mental health awareness, education and connection to resources in Ashland,” Kellogg said July 23.
Central District
Officer, county tourism praised
Delaware Gazette, July 21, 2026
An officer’s retirement and a tourism economic report were among the things that happened at Monday morning’s Delaware County Board of Commissioners meeting.
As is customary when a police officer retires and as permitted by Ohio law, they are allowed to purchase their assigned firearm for a dollar. The official language, as used in the resolution was “in the matter of declaring county personal property not needed for public use and authorizing the sale of the personal property to Lieutenant David Buttler on the occasion of his retirement.”
Buttler “retired from the Sheriff’s Office in good standing with the office,” and he was praised by Sheriff Jeffrey Balzer, fellow officers, and the commissioners for his prior military and recent county service.
“The sale of the firearm shall be conditioned upon Lt. Buttler accepting the firearm as-is and accepting sole responsibility for the care and maintenance of the firearm,” the resolution language said. “The sale of the firearm is further conditioned upon the Lt. Buttler executing and submitting an acknowledgement and release from liability.”
Delaware County Convention and Visitors Bureau/Destination Delaware Executive Director Tim Wilson gave a 2025 Tourism Economic Report. According to the website www.visitdelohio.com, here is a summary of last year’s numbers:
- Total Economic Impact of Tourism: $2.4 billion.
- Direct Tourism Spending: $1.4 billion.
- Employment Sustained by Tourism: 13,929 jobs.
- Wages Sustained by Tourism: $429 million.
- Taxes Sustained by Tourism: $290 million.
- Local Tax: $61.2 million.
- State Tax: $144 million.
- Per Household Tax Burden Relief: $1,750.
The commissioners praised the report, saying the numbers kept going up, and touched on Delaware County’s biggest event, the upcoming Little Brown Jug and Delaware County Fair, along with area golf courses and golf-related activities such as Top Golf.
Southwest District
Miami County commissioners tighten NDA policy, update zoning rules for data centers
Dayton 247Now, July 30, 2026
Miami County commissioners have adopted a new policy limiting the use of work-related non-disclosure agreements while moving forward with updates to the county's zoning resolution to address future data center development.
According to a press release, effective Thursday, July 30, county employees, managers and department heads under the authority of the Board of Miami County Commissioners must receive approval from the commissioners before signing any work-related nondisclosure or confidentiality agreements.
The new policy also reportedly prohibits employees from making verbal confidentiality agreements or indicating an intent to sign an NDA without commissioner approval.
County officials said the changes are intended to promote a more transparent approach to economic developments, particularly as interest in data center projects continues to grow.
Commissioners are also said to oversee updates to the Miami County Zoning Resolution, which will address data centers for the first time.
Officials say the revisions are designed to ensure potential impacts of future projects are carefully considered before approval.
The zoning resolution applied to most unincorporated areas of Miami County, but officials say it does not cover incorporated cities and villages or Brown, Lost Creek, Elizabeth and Bethel townships, which maintain their own zoning authority.
Southeast District
Belmont commissioners act on levies, senior meals and jail contracts
The Times Leader, July 29, 2026
The Belmont County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday approved resolutions declaring it necessary to renew two property tax levies that will appear on the November ballot.
The board adopted resolutions declaring the necessity of levying taxes in excess of the 10-mill limitation and requested Belmont County Auditor Cindi Henry certify the matters related to a 0.75-mill renewal levy for Belmont County 911 and a 0.75-mill renewal and decrease levy for Senior Services of Belmont County.
“We talked about this last week. We’re decreasing, as most of you know by now, the Senior Services levy by a slight amount from one mill to 0.75 mill, and that’ll be on the Nov. ballot,” Commissioner Jerry Echemann said. “This should be the final time that we will have to include resolutions for this.”
He said the 911 levy is a renewal that will neither increase nor decrease the millage.
“We’re not decreasing the 911 levy, but we’re not increasing it either. It’ll be renewed at the same rate for 911, and that’s also on the ballot for November,” Echemann said.
He added that, with the second round of resolutions approved, the next step is to send them to the Belmont County Board of Elections to ensure both levies are placed on the November ballot.
The board also approved the purchase of a Hot Shot Box from Delivery Concepts Inc. for $37,930 for Senior Services.
Echemann said the Hot Shot Box will be installed on a 2026 Ford F-150 recently purchased from Tri-State Ford for use in delivering meals to senior citizens.
“Hot Shot Box, as the name implies, it keeps the food hot while we take it out to the seniors for their lunches. We send out about 1,112 meals a day,” Echemann said.
Commissioners also adopted a resolution granting Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services Director Jeff Felton authority to transfer $102,752.15 from the Public Assistance Fund to the Child Support Enforcement Agency Fund for fiscal year 2026.
The board also approved renewing an agreement with Keefe Commissary Network LLC to provide food and other commissary items and services at the Belmont County Jail. The agreement, recommended by Sheriff James Zusack, runs from July 31, 2026, through July 31, 2027. Top AUGUST 7
CCAO Board of Directors Meeting (virtual)
AUGUST 14
CORSA Board of Directors Meeting
AUGUST 21
CEBCO Board of Directors Meeting
OCTOBER 2
CCAO/CEAO Southeast District Meeting (RSVP by September 15) Top
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