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 January 18, 2019

OML UPDATE AT-A-GLANCE
Here are the top three things you need to know from this past week:
  • Ohio's new governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted were sworn into office just after midnight this past Monday. The Governor's first action was to sign six executive orders: two creating the Governors' RecoveryOhio Initiative and the Governor's Children's Initiative, one establishing Ohio as a disability inclusion state and model employer of people with disabilities, and two elevating both foster care and the prevention efforts of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services as priority issues. He later signed a seventh executive order creating the Governor's Advisory Group on Home Visitation.
  • The Ohio Senate will hold its first session day in the 133rd GA on Wednesday, January 30th, while the Ohio House of Representatives will hold its first session day on Wednesday, January 23rd
  • The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is requesting proposals for projects that would reduce nonpoint source pollutants and improve stream and riparian habitats. Approximately $3 million in grants is expected to be made available. Municipalities are eligible applicants. To submit a proposal, click HERE. Proposals are due by February 15th.
 
 
 
OML WELCOMES TWO NEW BOARD MEMBERS

The Ohio Municipal League's Board of Trustees is welcoming two new members this week. Mayor Carrie Schlade of the City of Bryan and Mayor Katrina Keith of the City of Ironton are the League's newest board members.

Mayor Keith is an Ironton native with a bachelor's degree from Ohio University Southern. She first joined the City of Ironton as a benefits specialist and bears the distinction of being elected as Ironton's first female mayor after winning election in 2015. Mayor Schalde began her public service as a member of the Bryan City Council from 2015 to 2017 and is also the City of Bryan's first female mayor, winning election in 2017.

The League is pleased to be able to announce the addition of Mayor Keith and Mayor Schlade to the Board of Trustees, and we are confident both the League and cities and villages across Ohio will benefit from their knowledge and expertise.
 
 
LEAGUE HIRES THOMAS WETMORE AS NEW LEGISLATIVE ADVOCATE

The League is pleased to announce the hiring of Thomas Wetmore as its new Legislative Advocate. Thomas is a graduate of Ohio University and has years of legislative and policy experience. Thomas worked as a legislative aide to former Majority Floor Leader Senator Gardner for four years and then as a program administer for the Department of Education in the office of Policy and Legislative Affairs. Thomas most recently worked for a Political Action Committee as a grassroots voter outreach manager for Ohio's 2018 gubernatorial election. We are certain Thomas will be an asset to our legislative team and we are excited to welcome him to the League.
 
 
OHIO COALITION LAUNCHES EFFORT TO PROPERLY FUND TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE

This week, the FOR Ohio Coalition (standing for "Fix Our Roads"), which the League is a part of, launched its public effort to draw attention to the need for critical transportation infrastructure funding and advocate for, among other funding mechanisms, an increase in Ohio's gas tax. The FOR Ohio Coalition published a press release detailing its goals of educating citizens and policymakers alike of the urgent need to properly fund Ohio's infrastructure and providing policy options that both the Ohio Legislature and the DeWine Administration should consider in order to provide a funding solution.

To read the press release and a detailed case statement on Ohio's transportation infrastructure funding needs and how to address them, click HERE.
 
 
NLC JOINS FCC LEGAL BATTLE, RELEASES 2019 NATIONAL MUNICIPAL POLICY

The National League of Cities made two substantial announcements this week. First, NLC has joined the litigation to halt the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) preemptive order regarding small cell deployment in municipal rights of way, which we wrote about this past fall. Dozens of cities and local advocacy groups are involved in the legal battle against the order, which went into effect on January 14 th. In the meantime, the litigation will continue in the 9 th Circuit Court of Appeals. The League will continue to report updates regarding the case.

Second, NLC has released their 2019 National Municipal Policy, which is a compilation of the federal policy positions that have been adopted by the full NLC membership. This policy will guide NLC's advocacy efforts throughout the year regarding all programs, legislation and federal actions that affect municipalities. You can read the policy   HERE.
 
MUNICIPALITIES PREPARE FOR THE 2020 CENSUS

As the 2020 census approaches, local governments are creating effective strategies to ensure an accurate count.

In northern Ohio, city administrators and county commissioners are joining forces and forming the Toledo-Lucas County Complete Count Committee. The committee will be comprised of representatives from all organizations located within a county or municipality, such as faith-based organizations, businesses, educational organizations, the media and more. The committee will also send volunteers throughout the county to encourage people to participate and ensure they are counted.

The census is important to local governments as the count will determine how much and what type of federal funding a local government can receive. An inaccurate count can cost local governments millions of dollars in federal funding.

Additionally, accurate census counts can help ensure fair representation at every level of government as well as providing complete and reliable data for research, which will help the public and private sectors in decision-making and planning.

For more information on the 2020 census and how to ensure your municipality gets an accurate count, click HERE.
 
GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATON TO OFFER TRAINING JULY 2019

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) will be offering training at the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton in downtown Columbus from July 22-25. Courses will include topics such as school budgeting best practices, evaluating internal controls and advance government accounting. To learn more about the courses offered and to find out about discounts you may be eligible for, click HERE.
 
UPDATES REGARDING THE CEMETARY GRANT PROGRAM

Cemetery operators and stakeholders should be aware of new draft rules for the Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing's cemetery grant program. These draft rules have been written with stakeholder input and have been filed with the Common Sense Initiative (CSI) office. You can find the proposed rules HERE.

Ohio Municipal League Meetings & Trainings

Integrated Risk Management for Ohio Public Entities Seminars
January 23, January 24 & February 27
Registration Information
HERE
OML/OMAA Webinar:
Private Financing of Public Projects
Registration Information 
OML/OMAA Webinar:
Dealing with people you can't stand - Commuincation in the workplace
Registration Information 

Ohio Municipal League

Legislative Inquires:
Kent Scarrett, Executive Director
Edward Albright, Deputy Director
Ashley Brewster, Director of Communications
Thomas Wetmore, Legislative Advocate

Website/Bulletin Issues:
Zoƫ Wade, Office Manager