Nominations for CCAO Board of Directors open
The CCAO Code of Regulations provides that the Board of Directors is composed of up to 35 members: 5 officers, 15 elected board members, 9 members appointed by the president, and the 6 most recent past presidents who still hold the office of county commissioner, county executive, or county council.
The Code of Regulations specifies that to be eligible to be nominated as an officer, an individual must be from a member county and have served a term of at least one year on the CCAO Board of Directors.
The CCAO Board of Directors typically meets nine times a year, and attendance and participation are vital. While there are circumstances where an individual cannot attend a meeting, this should not be the norm. The Association seeks people who are committed to attending and engaging in a majority of the meetings.
If you are interested in serving on the Board for a two-year term or as a past president or as an officer, please complete the attached Nominating Committee Form, or follow this link to an electronic form, along with the candidate questionnaire. Both forms must be returned no later than November 1, 2026, to the committee chair: Glenn Miller, 2408 Ken James Court, Napoleon, OH 43545, or by email at glenn.miller@henrycountyohio.gov.
In addition, mail copies to CCAO, 209 E. State Street, Columbus, OH 43215-4309, in an envelope marked: NOMINATING COMMITTEE – ATTENTION: Robin Garrett, or you may email your forms to rgarrett@ccao.org.
The Nominating Committee Report will be published on the web at www.ccao.org on November 23. The Business Meeting for election of officers and board members is scheduled for Thursday, December 10, 2026.
You can request consideration for more than one office. Also note that if you request to serve on the Board for a two-year term and/or as an officer and are not nominated, your name will automatically be submitted for consideration of a Presidential Appointment to the Board of Directors.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Chair Glenn Miller at (419) 779-0020, or call CCAO Executive Director Cheryl Subler at (614) 746-8507.
THURSDAY: CCAO hosting power siting
On Thursday, CCAO is hosting a webinar on the role that local governments play as power siting authorities and their ability to be intervenes in front of the Ohio Power Siting Board. The webinar will feature Dale Arnold, the will provide counties with information about the role that local governments can play in power siting, both as siting authorities themselves and as interveners before the Power Siting Board.
Local Government Involvement in Power Siting
Thursday, October 22, at 2:00 p.m.
Presenter: Dale Arnold, Director, Energy Development, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation
Local governments across the state are dealing with the topic of Energy Development and being asked what locals entities involvement can be. In the is webinar, Dale Arnold, from Ohio Farm Bureau will speak about what local government jurisdiction, the permitting process and timelines. As this remains an important topic for local governments we hope you are able to participate in this upcoming webinar.
Register Here!
Additionally, next Monday, CCAO is hosting a webinar with Alynea on how local governments can utilize AI to improve the permitting process.
Using AI to Improve Permit Application Quality
Monday, October 26, at 2:00 p.m.
Presenter: Alynea staff
In this webinar you will hear from the team at Alynea, who work with local governments across the country to develop AI solutions that assist with complex permitting processes. The Alynea team will educate attendees on how AI can be implemented safely within your existing permitting structure and the benefits of adopting AI for both applicants and staff. They will also conduct a brief demonstration of their products and answer attendee questions.
Register Here!
OCCO hosting Legislative Reception on November 10
On November 10, the Ohio Council of County Officials (OCCO) is hosting its annual Legislative Reception in the Statehouse Atrium from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Registration is no cost and is available on the Ohio Clerks of Courts Association's website.
Register Here
The event is a great way for CCAO members to network and discuss issues facing your counties with legislators and colleagues from around the state. Top Top State distributes $92 million for rural healthcare, including $30 million for rural hospitals
Last week, Governor DeWine and Dr. Oz, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, announced $92 million in funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program.
The $92 million is split between expansion of rural health innovation hubs, improvements to rural maternal care, and one-time investments in 22 rural hospitals.
Each of the 22 rural hospitals will receive $1.4 million for quality improvement projects. The specific nature of the projects vary from hospital to hospital, but include opening behavioral health units to support access to substance abuse treatment and mental health services, expanding MRI capacity, and expanding diagnostic services.
The full release on the $92 million can be read here, and more information about the Rural Health Transformation Project can be found on its webpage.
Top Economic Development Association releases data center toolkit
Earlier this month, the Ohio Economic Development Association released Data Centers: A Plain-Language Toolkit for Ohio Communities, a free resource to help assist local officials when considering whether or not to approve a data center development.
The toolkit includes a reference guide that provides details about how data centers work, their use of resources and electricity, and the role of local governments in the process.
OEDA is holding a webinar on Thursday to familiarize attendees with the toolkit.
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
|
| MARCS Grant |
To assist volunteer fire departments and small fire departments in acquiring systems and equipment to integrate into the Multi-Agency Radio Communication System. |
Volunteer fire departments and fire departments serving areas with less than 25,000 residents
[non-county grant]
|
Maximum award: $50,000
|
October 24, 2026 |
| Lake Erie Community Grant |
To help create healthy, thriving communities by providing resources and support to address local environmental challenges within the Lake Erie Basin. |
Local governments and non-profits within the Lake Erie Basin (page 45 & 46)
|
Maximum award: $350,000
|
December 16, 2026 |
| H2Ohio Conservation Ditch Grant Program |
To provide reimbursement for the construction of two-stage and self-forming conservation ditches. |
Soil and water conservation districts and county engineers |
Unspecified
Reimbursement model
|
June 1, 2027
(Rolling until) |
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
|
| Upholding the Rule of Law and Preventing Wrong Convictions Program |
To enhance wrongful conviction review entities and to prevent future wrongful convictions. |
General availability |
$5.4 million available
No match required
|
November 2, 2026 |
| DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program |
To increase capacity for existing crime labs to process DNA samples for entry into CODIS. |
General availability to entities with crime labs. |
$4.9 million available
No match required
|
November 3, 2026 |
| Family Treatment Court Program (New Courts) |
To support the implementation of family treatment courts. |
General availability to entities without a family treatment court. |
Maximum award: $850,000
Local match of at least 25%.
|
November 16, 2026 |
| Family Treatment Court Program (Existing Courts) |
To support the expansion of family treatment courts. |
General availability to entities with a preexisting family treatment court. |
Maximum award: $750,000
Local match of at least 25%.
|
November 16, 2026 |
| Opioid Affected Youth Initiative |
To reduce violent crime and overdose deaths through prevention, intervention, and treatment strategies. |
General availability |
$8.9 million available
No match required
|
November 16, 2026 |
| Expanding Youth Access to Community-Based Treatment |
To support the development and expansion of community-based treatment programs serving youth. |
General availability |
$4.0 million available
No match required
|
November 16, 2026 |
| Strategies to Support Children Exposed to Violence |
To improve communities' ability to help children exposed to violence in their homes, schools, and communities. |
General availability |
$7.3 million available
No match required
|
November 16, 2026 |
| Juvenile Justice System Enhancements |
To improve the cost-effectiveness of the juvenile justice system by implementing targeted solutions to high-cost crime drivers. |
General availability |
$4.0 million available
No match required
|
November 16, 2026 |
| Mentoring for Youth Impacted by Opioids and Substance Use |
To support high-quality mentoring services for youth currently using or dependent on substances, as well as youth with close family members using or dependent on substances. |
General availability |
$16.5 million available
No match required
|
November 16, 2026 |
| Strengthening Operations to Reduce Crime and Recidivism |
To support projects that address one or more urgent local justice system challenges. |
General availability |
$12.7 million available
No match required
|
November 20, 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
Commissioners crack down on over-budget spending, eyeing prosecutor
Toledo Blade, October 13, 2026
Lucas County department heads will be forced to plead their case before commissioners if they overspend, a move that comes as commissioners handle blowback from drastic budget cuts they are seeking for next year.
The board passed a resolution Tuesday requiring department heads and elected officials seeking additional money from the county’s general fund to publicly justify their requests at a hearing.
“This resolution makes it clear that this board will not appropriate additional funds beyond the department’s funded level without a public hearing,” Commissioner Lisa Sobecki said. “That’s for the sake of transparency and to make sure we are adhering to one clear and fair process across the board.”
Commissioners have faced criticism from county departments after telling officials to cut their 2027 budgets by 13 percent to help avoid a projected $27 million deficit. Among the most vocal critics is Prosecutor Julia Bates, who called the proposed cuts “entirely unacceptable and legally impermissible” and skipped her budget hearing last week.
Commissioner Pete Gerken directed some of his comments at Mrs. Bates, who is projected to end the year about $75,000 over her approved budget, according to the county’s budget office.
“There’s been a tendency over the years ... for county [elected officials] or departments to spend more toward the end of the year or mid-year than their budget allows,” Mr. Gerken said. “If you don’t show up for a budget hearing in public, you overspend your money, and then you come back and want more, it’s not going to be that easy anymore.”
Northeast District
Lake County commissioners back effort to end E-Check
Cleveland.com, October 15, 2026
Lake County commissioners approved a resolution Thursday supporting Gov. Mike DeWine’s effort to eliminate E-Check in Northeast Ohio, arguing that the vehicle emissions testing program places an unnecessary burden on residents.
The resolution supports DeWine’s direction to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to seek federal approval to end the program, which requires drivers in seven Northeast Ohio counties to undergo emissions testing to renew their vehicle registrations.
E-Check remains in effect while Ohio seeks approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Ending the program will also require a public comment period.
Commissioner John Plecnik, who requested the resolution, said Lake County residents have been subjected to testing requirements that do not apply to drivers in most other Ohio counties.
“Lake County has been unfairly singled out by this program,” Plecnik said during Thursday’s meeting.
Plecnik argued that the testing process creates additional costs and inconveniences for residents without necessarily improving local air quality. He also questioned the placement of air quality monitors, saying pollution originating outside Lake County can affect the readings.
Central District
Delaware County commissioners decline to buy 25-acre Buckeye Valley parcel, citing price
Delaware Source, October 2, 2026
The Delaware County commissioners opted to not purchase 25 acres of real estate that would have expanded the county’s footprint on County Home Road.
The parcel, owned by the Buckeye Valley Board of Education, sits directly next to 241 acres of county-owned land that is home to the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office Training Center and Peace Officer Academy.
Commissioner Gary Merrell said the two entities have been discussing the sale of the property for 18-24 months.
Commissioner Jeff Benton said there were no specific development plans in mind had they chosen to purchase the real estate, but rather a strategic investment because the land borders existing county-owned land.
But commissioners unanimously voted to not go through with the quit-claim-deed purchase, which would have been for a price of $387,270.
“Buckeye Valley School’s responsibility is to get the best price;
I have no criticism of that, in fact, I respect it,” Merrell said. “But my responsibility is to protect the county’s interest, all taxpayers in the county.
“Therefore, I believe this price of appraisal is high, but would like to support the appraisal we worked from in conversations we had 18-24 months ago.”
Merrell said that initial appraisal value was closer to $350,000, a number that “would more likely” have his support.
Southwest District
County agencies detail role of property tax funding
Register Herald, October 5, 2026
From services for seniors and residents with developmental disabilities to children in foster care, mental health programs and law enforcement, local officials outlined how property tax revenue supports services throughout Preble County during a recent town hall on property taxes.
The Preble County Council on Aging hosted the Property Tax Town Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at the Senior Center in Eaton, bringing county officials and agency leaders together to discuss how property taxes work, where the money goes and the potential effects of changes to Ohio’s property tax system.
Following a presentation by Preble County Deputy Auditor Sean Maggard on property taxation and how revenues are distributed, representatives of several county agencies discussed their funding structures and the services supported by local tax dollars.
Preble County Commissioner Adam Craft said the Board of Commissioners serves what he described as a “gatekeeper” when county agencies seek to place levies before voters.
Before approving a resolution allowing a levy to proceed to the ballot, Craft said commissioners examine an agency’s financial position, other available funds and grant performance and ask whether the request is appropriate.
“We feel as if the taxpayers, you all, have entrusted us with that responsibility,” Craft told those attending.
Craft said commissioners also oversee General Fund appropriations supporting a number of county operations. He pointed to Veterans Services and the Preble County Sheriff’s Office as examples of agencies he believes have worked to provide services while carefully managing taxpayer dollars.
As discussion continues statewide regarding property tax reform, Craft cautioned that eliminating property taxes could have consequences extending beyond annual operating revenue.
Local governments and schools often have outstanding bonds or other debt obligations underwritten based on property tax valuations, he said, raising questions about what would happen to those obligations if property taxes were eliminated.
“I think that when we talk about property tax reform, I think every single person up here would agree that we need property tax reform in a really meaningful way,” Craft said. “But we also kind of want to draw attention to the fact that we don’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater. We want to be strategic in how we look at that.”
Southeast District
Commissioners create county building department, communications department
Logan Daily News, October 17, 2026
The Hocking County Commissioners created two new departments during their weekly meeting on Thursday.
The first of these was a county building department. This comes after a visit from the Southeast Ohio Building Department, who offered their services to the county at a commissioners’ meeting in late September. The commissioners agreed to allow the Southeast Ohio Building Department to take over the state’s job as building inspector for the county for commercial buildings as long as this is approved by the Ohio Board of Building Standards. They also stressed that this will come at no extra cost to the county.
The second office created was a communications department. Following discussions amongst local officials, the commissioners have concluded that the county is in need of a permanent and coordinated communications strategy. As a result, they agreed to create a communications department that would fall under their office, as well as create and appoint a position for the department’s director. They also emphasized that this will not cost taxpayers more money, as they have located unappropriated money to pay for this.
The commissioners also approved a series of appropriations. These included appropriation transfers for 911, the auditor’s office and the veterans service commission, certificates of additional revenue for the commissioners’ office and the family and children first council, and an additional appropriation for EMS.
Additionally, they received a letter from county engineer William Shaw, requesting that the commissioners adopt a resolution to proceed with normal maintenance and repair of county roads as deemed appropriate. This was approved. Top OCTOBER 30
CEBCO Board of Directors Meeting
NOVEMBER 3
General Election
NOVEMBER 6
CORSA Board of Directors Meeting
NOVEMBER 10
OCCO Legislative Reception
NOVEMBER 11
Veterans Day - Holiday
NOVEMBER 13
CEBCO Board of Directors Meeting Top
|
