Below are resources offering the latest information about the Coronavirus
Coronavirus Relief Fund Resources
- Talking Points for State and Federal Advocacy
- How to Use Coronavirus Relief Funding to Impact Ohio Communities
- U.S. Treasury CARES Act Webpage
- Guidance on Using Federal Coronavirus Relief Funds
- Sample Resolution for Counties to Pass Regarding HB 481
- U.S. Treasury Guidance for State, Territorial, Local, and Tribal Governments (Updated 9-2-20)
- U.S. Treasury Coronavirus Frequently Asked Questions (Updated 10-19-2020)
- Understanding the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, And Economic Security (CARES) Act webinar Presentation and Recording
Responsible RestartOhio and Stay Safe Resources
- Public Health and Executive Orders
- RestartOhio Sector Specific Operating Requirements
- Responsible RestartOhio General Office Environment Guidelines
HR Resources
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Webinars
- Auditing of CARES Act Funding – Oct. 1, 2020
Presentation and Recording - The Impact of the Ohio Department of Health Travel Advisory on Counties – August 5 Recording and Presentation
- CCAO and Montrose Group COVID 19 Economic Recovery Webinar Series: County Models and State & Federal Funding Approaches Presentation
- Navigating Unemployment Insurance during COVID-19: Tips and Pathways for Employers” webinar: Recording and Presentation
- Layoffs and Furloughs Under Civil Service Law webinar: PowerPoint, Recording and Supplemental Material
- Update to Employment Implications and Options During The Coronavirus Pandemic webinar: Powerpoint and Recording
- Employer Rights/Obligations in the Coronavirus Pandemic webinar: Presentation and Recording
- FFCRA and COVID-19 Employment Law Issues Webinar: Powerpoint and Recording
- Auditing of CARES Act Funding – Oct. 1, 2020
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County Advisory Bulletins
- County Advisory Bulletin 2020-15 Coronavirus Relief Funds and State Capital Reappropriations
- County Advisory Bulletin 2020-14 COVID-19 – What Happens When Employees Return to Work Frequently Asked Questions
- County Advisory Bulletin 2020-12 Layoffs and Furloughs Under Civil Service Law
- County Advisory Bulletin 2020-11 Updated Sample Temporary Emergency Paid Sick Leave Policy
- County Advisory Bulletin 2020-10 Updated Sample FMLA COVID-19 Policy
- County Advisory Bulletin 2020-09 COVID-19 Employment Related FAQs
- County Advisory Bulletin – 2020-02 COVID-19 Family First Coronavirus Response Act Leave Provisions
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Other Resources
- OBM Guidance and FAQs (Updated 8-26-2020)
- JFS SharedWork Ohio Guide
- Employer Relief from COVID-19: 2020 Employer Dividend from the Ohio Department of Health
- Family First Coronavirus Response Act FAQs from Zashin & Rich
- Public Employer Summary of H.R. 6201 – Family First Coronavirus Response Act from Zashin & Rich
CCAO Letter of Support for Gov. DeWine
CCAO updates to members
- CCAO sends daily memos to our members with updates with the latest information to assist counties as they deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to access the memos.
CORSA Resources for Employers
- CORSA Risk Control Service Bulletin: Teleconferencing and Video Meetings
- CORSA Risk Control Service Bulletin: Reopening
- CORSA Risk Control Service Bulletin: Operational Changes During Ohio’s Stay at Home Order
- CORSA Risk Control Service Bulletin: Emergency Sick Leave & Temporary FMLA Leave Request Form
- CORSA Risk Control Employer Checklist for COVID-19
- CORSA Risk Control Service Bulletin: Employee Temperatures
- CORSA Risk Control Bulletin: Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Poster
- Best Practices Panel HR Toolkit
CEBCO Resources
FAQ
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Can counties amend their credit card policies to allow for COVID-19 related purposes?
While current ORC Sec 301.27 limits the allowable purchases that county agencies may make with credit cards, the Auditor of State’s office has advised counties that boards of county commissioners may pass a resolution to allow for certain purchases on the credit card during the state of emergency for COVID-19. The policy should have clearly defined starting and ending dates. Counties are encouraged to involve the prosecutor in addressing the issue from a legal and policy perspective for the County as a whole. The Auditor of State could then audit against this resolution to make sure purchases were made with proper authority. Counties are encouraged to ensure the necessary documentation is kept for any such purchases.
We appreciate this flexibility in the short-term and look forward to longer-term conversations with stakeholders to identify ways to modernize county purchasing.
For more information or for sample resolutions, please contact Jon Honeck at jhoneck@ccao.org.
Are there options for reducing county elected officials’ salaries during budget reductions?
As counties consider budget reductions, some county elected officials have considered returning or reducing their statutory salaries to aid in cost reduction efforts. It is important to remember that this is the voluntary choice of individual elected officials alone. Commissioners cannot order the reduction of other county elected officials’ salaries.
If they wish to reduce or return their compensation, county officials have two options. Option one: they can voluntarily return all or a portion of their pay via check back to the county. Full tax withholdings and OPERS contributions would be taken out of paychecks regardless of the amount returned. Option two: county officials can notify the county auditor to reduce their compensation. The reduced salary would translate into less tax withholding and reduced OPERS contributions. Additional details regarding this process can be found in the following Attorney General opinion.
How does the Dispute Resolution Commission work?
- Business owner, or local health department, submits a dispute resolution request form to dispute.resolution@odh.ohio.gov.
- The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) assigns the dispute resolution request with a number, reviews the submission, contacts the local health department for more information, and then shares with Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO).
- PUCO then compiles cases, prepares meeting agenda, and publishes a meeting agenda on the ODH website with all requests to be considered.
- The Dispute Resolution Commission convenes virtually, reviews each case, and makes a determination.
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- All Commission meeting minutes and opinions will be published on the ODH website with specific date and time specified for enforcement.
- Opinions and recommendations become final orders 48 hours after date and time of issuance absent action by ODH director or designee.
- ODH sends opinions and recommendations to local authorities and requestees.
The Commission will convene as needed and endeavor to make determinations on dispute resolution requests submitted within 24 hours.
Do counties need to declare a “State of Emergency” to receive federal funds?
Commissioners DO NOT need to declare a “State of Emergency” pursuant to ORC 5502.21 et seq. in order to receive federal FEMA disaster assistance (typical emergency management funding through the Stafford Act and State Disaster Relief Program). FEMA has indicated that counties (and other local
governments) are covered by the President’s actions on March 13 and do not have to take any action to be able to access FEMA funding. FEMA, in a response to NACo on March 19, 2020, indicates:
“On March 13, 2020, the President declared the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant an emergency declaration for all states, tribes, territories, and the District of Columbia pursuant to section 501 (b) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121-5207 (the “Stafford Act”). State, Territorial, Tribal, local government entities and certain private non-profit (PNP) organizations are eligible to apply for Public Assistance. States, Tribal and Territorial governments do not need to request separate emergency declarations to receive FEMA assistance under this nationwide declaration. The emergency declaration will reimburse for eligible emergency protective measures taken to respond to the COVID-19 emergency at the direction or guidance of public health officials under Category B of FEMA’s Public Assistance program.”
Does the county have to declare an emergency in order for its small businesses to qualify for Small Business Administration (SBA) COVID-19 federal funding?
Do the commissioners have the authority to close or control access to county buildings?
What emergency authority do counties have to do purchasing? Can a county extend blanket purchasing orders during an emergency?
If an employee has no daycare due the coronavirus pandemic, can they bring their non-diagnosed non-symptomatic child to work?
Who can I contact to make sure I am looped in on countywide pandemic response efforts?
Federal Response and Resources
- Understanding the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, And Economic Security (CARES) Act webinar Presentation and Recording
- How to Use FEMA Public Assistance Funding During the COVID-19 Pandemic webinar Presentation and Recording
- COVID-19 Disaster Resources Report
- U.S. Treasury Coronavirus Frequently Asked Questions (Updated 10-20-20)
- U.S. Treasury Guidance for State, Territorial, Local, and Tribal Governments
- NACo Letter on CDBG formula
- Congressional Democrats Plan for Local CDBG Allocation Under 4th COVID-19 Supplemental Aid Package
- Coronavirus Community Relief Act Text
- Federal CARES Act Update
- Focus on 457 CARES Act provided by Empower Retirement
Resources
- CDC Considerations on Events and Gatherings
- Ohio Office of Small Business Relief
- How-to Guide to Making a Face Mask
- OSU Extension Announcement of Cancelled Events
- How to Request Resources Through Your County EMA
- COVID-19 Guidance on Dispute Resolutions for Essential and Non-Essential Businesses
- Emergency Declarations FAQ
- State of Ohio Administrative Policy: Critical Event Preparation and Response
- CDC Guidance for Law Enforcement
- Ohio Department of Health Coronavirus page
- Link to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s press conferences on Ohio Channel
ODH has also opened a call center to answer questions regarding coronavirus (COVID-19).
The call center will be open 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and can be reached at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).
Call center staff includes licensed nurses and infectious disease experts. They will be available to answer questions and provide accurate information about COVID-19, the risk to the public and the state’s response.