OML UPDATE AT-A-GLANCE
Here are the top eight things you need to know from this past week:
· As this year’s 2021 OML Annual Conference will now take place from October 20-22 as a virtual conference, the League is using the opportunity to offer attendees an expanded agenda with even more topics and presentations on issues critical to municipalities. You can access this new expanded agenda HERE. We will also be sending recordings of each presentation to all attendees. This means no one will face any scheduling conflicts as you will be able to view the recording any time at your convenience. Additionally, we have lowered the registration fee to $150. If you have not already, you can register for the conference HERE.
· On Wednesday, Ohio’s Tenth District Court of Appeals heard the Buckeye Institute’s case regarding whether taxpayers will be able to file for refunds for tax year 2020 if they worked in a local jurisdiction other than their principle place of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this year, the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas dismissed the Buckeye Institute’s lawsuit against the City of Columbus challenging the constitutionality of Sec. 29 of HB 197, which instructs municipalities to continue withholding income tax even if a taxpayer is working remotely in another local jurisdiction because of the coronavirus. The Buckeye Institute appealed this ruling. There are similar court cases filed by the Buckeye Institute in Cuyahoga, Hamilton and Lucas counties. We will continue to keep our members updated on these cases.
· The Municipal Finance Officers Association of Ohio (MFOA) is excited to announce that it will be holding its 2021 Annual Fall Conference virtually November 3-5. This conference will provide attendees with the training they need to ensure excellent job performance, all from the comfort and convenience from wherever they are currently working. MFOA has greatly reduced registration costs to for a MFOA member is $50.00 and the cost for a nonmember is $75.00. All registrants will receive a copy of each session after the conferences, allowing participants to listen to any of the sessions that they might have missed at their convenience. You can find the conference agenda HERE. If you have not yet already, register HERE. Read more in the article below.
· The Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS), a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, is opening applications next week for the Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program. HB 110, the two-year state operating budget, allocated $8 million over the biennium to assist local communities in reducing and preventing crime through the use of promising or proven crime reduction strategies. Learn more HERE.
· The Ohio Department of Development (DOD) has announced over $12 million in grants has been awarded through the Community Development Critical Infrastructure program and the Neighborhood Revitalization program. 13 projects have received funding from the critical infrastructure program, while nine projects have received grants from the neighborhood revitalization program. These funds are projected to help over 35,000 Ohioans. Learn more HERE.
· The Ohio Office of Budget and Management is reporting that total state General Revenue Fund (GRF) tax revenues for September came in 4.5% or $94 million above estimates. Non-Auto sale tax receipts were 6.1% or $49.4 million above estimates, personal income tax revenues were 4.8% or $47.5 million over projections, the Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) revenues surpassed estimates by 68.3% or $5.7 million, while auto sales tax collections came in 3.4% or $5.4 million below projections. For the fiscal year thus far, tax revenues are beating estimates by 2.1% or $134 million.
· Municipal income tax administrators are invited to register for an upcoming webinar on Thursday, October 28 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. entitled “Municipal Income Tax: COVID-19 Impacts and What’s Next”. This webinar will cover extension of the temporary withholding provision in Sec. 29 of HB 197 until the end of 2021, which was enacted in the state operating budget earlier this year. The webinar will also cover the upcoming impacts of the expiration of Sec. 29 and what municipalities can do to prepare. There will be an opportunity for Q&A during the webinar. Register HERE.
· Calling all municipal engineers: the League has launched the newly-created Municipal Engineers Association of Ohio to enable municipal engineers to take advantage of peer-to-peer networking opportunities, understand and impact state legislation and policies, and receive professional development. Inaugural members will help shape the mission, goals, and priorities of this important organization. Learn more and find the link to join in the article below.
· League members can participate in a survey from the National League of Cities (NLC) regarding how municipalities have leveraged afterschool and summer programs to meet the needs caused by the COVID-19 disruptions to education, enrichment and recreation opportunities, and home life for children and youth. Individual survey responses will be anonymous and survey findings will only be shared in aggregate. The League is not affiliated with the survey and is not a participant, payee or beneficiary of the survey drawing. Learn more and find the survey HERE.
DON’T MISS THE NEW AND EXPANDED AGENDA FOR THE VIRTUAL 2021 OML ANNUAL CONFERENCE OCTOBER 20-22
As you are aware, the 2021 OML Annual Conference will now take place as a virtual conference from October 20-22. By going virtual, the League is able to offer attendees an expanded agenda, adding even more topics and presentations critical to Ohio’s municipal leaders. What all are we covering? Here are a few examples:
What the heck is happening in Congress? Clarence Anthony, Executive Director of the National League of Cities (NLC), will enlighten our attendees on federal legislation such as the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and where negotiations are with the current infrastructure package, and provide updates on other critical NLC programs and opportunities important to Ohio’s municipalities.
What do the new population trends mean to your community, other municipalities and the state? Representatives from the U.S. Census Bureau will discuss the impacts of the data from the 2020 census and what these trends and changes in demographics mean to the future of our state.
What is the current situation with the municipal income tax and what is the future impact to collections as it relates to new working conditions? Attendees will learn the latest about the changing landscape of this critical issue with a panel of municipal income tax experts.
What are the best strategies to tackle affordable housing issues and what are other communities doing? Experts in the field will give our attendees the most up to date information on opportunities and strategies to address these continuing challenges.
How do I attract more jobs to my community? The League is excited to host Mr. Ralph Inforzato, CEO of the Japanese External Trade Organization (JETRO) and Mr. Yusuke Shindo, Consul General of Japan in Detroit, to share with our members the mission of their non-profit organization that connects businesses and communities with the resources they need to successfully bring Japanese businesses that are ready and waiting to come to Ohio communities.
As a local elected official, have you ever thought “I wish I would have known…”? City of Mount Vernon Mayor Matthew Starr will present on ways municipalities can drastically improve their onboarding programs for local elected officials to reduce the learning curve and enable early success in areas like productivity, decision-making, and understanding the organizational culture. This is a can’t-miss session.
New state funding? Tell me more! The two-year state operating budget created several grant programs that can help municipalities fund essential local services. The Ohio Department if Development will present on both brownfield demolition grants and broadband expansion funding, while the Ohio Department of Public Safety will discuss new body-worn camera grants for local law enforcement agencies.
Peer-to-peer networking opportunities? We will once again hold our very popular roundtable discussions for village and city officials so members can take advantage of this crucial peer-to-peer networking opportunity.
These are only a few examples of critical information the League will be presenting at this year’s (virtual) 2021 OML Annual Conference. The full agenda can be found HERE.
Busy on the 20th-22nd? No worries. We will be sending recordings of each presentation to all attendees. This means no one will face any scheduling conflicts as you will be able to view the recording any time at your convenience.
The virtual conference will be held October 20-22 and we have lowered the registration fee to $150. If you have not already, you can register for the conference HERE.
We are looking forward to offering our attendees an agenda packed with valuable information covering timely issues that Ohio's local leaders need to navigate these unprecedented times. Make sure you register soon!
MORE HEARINGS HELD ON NEW VACCINE BILL
This week, the House Commerce and Labor Committee held two informal hearings on HB 435, the latest bill outlining who can and cannot mandate vaccines or proof of vaccination.
The bill, HB 435, is sponsored by Rep. Carfagna (R – Genoa Twp.) and Rep. Seitz (R – Green Township) and allows exemptions from both public and private sector COVID-19 vaccination mandates for FDA-approved vaccines for medical reasons, natural immunity demonstrated by COVID-19 antibodies and religious beliefs. These exemptions would not apply to those working in children’s hospitals, intensive or critical care units of hospitals or companies conducting research and development on infections organisms. You can read the bill analysis HERE.
The bill includes another infringement on local control by prohibiting facilities owned by a political subdivision from requiring proof of vaccination. The League stands opposed to preemptions on local control.
Another provision impacting municipalities is language extending qualified immunity for institutions including local governments. This provision was initially in HB 606 during the 133rd General Assembly. The qualified immunity would be extended through June 30, 2023. You can read the HB 606 analysis HERE.
Opponents and interested parties offered testimony on the bill. The legislation remains in a holding pattern as it is yet unknown if there will be any amendments added to the bill or if further committee hearings will be held. We will continue to keep our members apprised of this legislation.
INAUGURAL OF MUNICIPAL ENGINEERS ASSOCIATION OF OHIO (MEAO) CONFERENCE A SUCCESS
On Thursday, Municipal Engineers Association of Ohio (MEAO) held its inaugural Annual Conference at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) in Columbus.
Ohio’s first and only statewide municipal engineering association gave municipal engineers from across the state the opportunity to network, attend seminars and participate in formative discussions about the future direction of the association, aspirations for the group and the ability to influence legislative policy on both the state and Federal level
Participants heard from Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Jack Marchbanks, who spoke on the future of ODOT and his desire for an ongoing partnership with the members of MEAO. The conference also held an ethics training seminar led by Susan Willeke of the Ohio Ethics Commission and featured roundtable discussions led by MEAO board members. The event was well-attended, and leaders of the association look forward to future events for MEAO’s growing membership.
To ensure our members do not miss out on the opportunity to be a part of the exciting new association, the League is inviting your municipal engineer to become an inaugural member of the Municipal Engineers Association of Ohio. As an inaugural member, your municipality will help us shape the mission, goals, and priorities of this important organization. Membership will allow you to engage your fellow municipal engineers, understand and impact state legislation, programs and policies, receive professional development. Learn more about MEAO membership HERE.
MUNICIPAL FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION (MFOA) OPENS REGISTRATION FOR VIRTUAL CONFERENCE NOVEMBER 3-5
The Municipal Finance Officers Association of Ohio (MFOA) is excited to announce that it will be holding its 2021 Annual Fall Conference virtually November 3-5.
This conference will provide attendees with the training they need to ensure excellent job performance, all from the comfort and convenience from wherever they are currently working. The conference agenda is packed with talented presenters that attenders will enjoy listening to while gaining great deal of invaluable knowledge and information.
MFOA has greatly reduced registration costs: the registration fee for a MFOA member is $50.00 and the cost for a nonmember is $75.00. Participants will need a computer and a phone. Registration requires a valid individual email address, and multiple registrations with a bulk email address will be rejected.
Registration confirmation, instructions and materials will be sent to paid attendees on October 29, 2021. In order to ensure that the instructions and materials reach attendees in enough time, we have set a registration and payment deadline of Wednesday October 27, 2021.
All registrants will receive a copy of each session after the conferences, allowing participants to listen to any of the sessions that they might have missed at their convenience.
Continuing education credits will be available. You can find the conference agenda HERE. If you have not yet already, register HERE. We hope you will be able to join us for this exciting virtual conference!
OHIO EPA TO HOST WEBINARS ON ISSUES IMPACTING MUNICIPALITIES
On October 12 at 2 p.m., the Ohio EPA is hosting a webinar entitled “Nuisance Waste Sites, Illegal Dumping and Scrap Tires in Your Community. The webinar will discuss how to recognize and address nuisance waste situations and learn of available helpful tools. Attendees will also hear about nuisance waste sites for materials like shingles, scrap tires, electronics and other recyclable commodities and how Ohio EPA can help communities address these nuisance dumping situations. Learn more and register HERE.
On October 14 at 2 p.m., the Ohio EPA will also be hosting a webinar entitled “Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure – Oh My!” The webinar will discuss spill prevention, control, and countermeasure (SPCC) requirements for oil production, bulk oil storage, and end use storage facilities to ensure you’re in compliance. The webinar will also include an overview of what to expect during a federal SPCC inspection and the common issues seen in the field. Learn more and register HERE.
Finally, on October 21 at 10 a.m., the Ohio EPA will be hosting a webinar entitled “NPDES Permitting New and Proposed Rules and Policies.” The webinar will discuss new and proposed rules, policies, in-process, and upcoming regulations that could impact your non-stormwater National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. Learn more and register HERE.
FREE UPCOMING OML WEBINAR ON WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
On November 18 at 11:00 a.m., the League will be hosting a free webinar entitled “Workers’ Compensation Issues Most Impacting Cities and Villages”. The Ohio’s Firefighter Cancer Presumption law was enacted four years ago and PTSD legislation for first responders was passed last year. These laws impact cities & villages as much as any employer in the State. This presentation will discuss how cities & villages can investigate and respond to these claims. Learn more and register HERE.
MUNICIPAL BILLS PASSED BY THE SENATE
· SB 217 – Sen. Schaffer (R – Lancaster), would modify the law regarding access to criminal record check information with respect to long-term care ombudsman programs, direct-care positions, community-based long-term care services, and certain persons serving as a municipal corporation tax administrator, and declare an emergency. The bill was passed by a vote 32-0 and now heads to the House for consideration. The League is neutral on this legislation.
COMMITTEE RECAP: BILLS OF MUNICIPAL INTEREST
· SB 185 – Emergency Powers. Sponsored by Sen. Schaffer (R – Lancaster), is regarding a political subdivision's emergency powers when suppressing a riot, mob, or potential riot or mob and the preservation of rights regarding firearms during an emergency. During its second hearing before the Sente Veterans and Public Safety Committee, a substitute bill was adopted that added items such as crossbows and knifes to the list of dangerous weapons that cannot be restricted during an emergency. The bill was then reported out of committee. The League submitted opponent testimony, which you can read in full HERE.
· SB 225 – Tax Credits. Sponsored by Sen. Schuring (R – Canton), would temporarily modify the historic rehabilitation and the opportunity zone investment tax credits. During its first hearing before the Senate Finance Committee, the bill’s sponsor detailed the changes the bill would make to the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit and the Ohio Opportunity Zone Tax Credit for only fiscal years 2022 and 2023, including an increase to the tax credit for smaller municipalities from 25% to 35%. The League is supportive of this legislation.
· HB 177 – Ledger Technology. Sponsored by Rep. Carfagna (R – Genoa Twp.) and Rep. Fraizer (R – Newark), would allow a governmental entity to utilize distributed ledger technology, including blockchain technology. During its third hearing before the Senate Financial Institutions and Technology Committee, no testimony was given on the bill. The League is supportive of this legislation.
· SB 38 – Tax Credit. Sponsored by Sen. Schaffer (R - Lancaster), would allow an income tax credit for law enforcement officials and volunteer firefighters who purchase safety or protective items to be used in the course of official law enforcement or firefighting activities. During its third hearing before the Senate Ways and Means Committee, no testimony was given on the bill. The League is supportive of this legislation.
· SB 215 – Concealed Handguns. Sponsored by Sen. Johnson (R – McDermott), is regarding a concealed handgun licensee's duty to carry the license and notify a law enforcement officer if the licensee is carrying a concealed handgun, a right of a person age twenty-one or older and not legally prohibited from firearm possession to carry a concealed handgun in the same manner as if the person was a licensee, and a pretrial immunity hearing. During its second hearing before the Senate Veterans and Public Safety Committee, proponents including Ohio Gun Owners and the National Rifle Association testified in support of the bill. The League is still looking into this legislation.
· HB 23 – EMS Personnel. Sponsored by Rep. Plummer R – Dayton) and Rep. West (D – Canton), would require emergency medical service personnel and peace officers to undergo dementia-related training. During its third hearing before the Senate Veterans and Public Safety Committee, no testimony was given on the bill. The League is neutral on this legislation.
· HB 328 – Office of Drug Policy. Sponsored by Rep. Brown (D – Canal Winchester), would establish the Governor's Office of Drug Policy. During its first hearing before the House Behavioral Health & Recovery Supports Committee, the bill’s sponsor explained that the legislation creates an office that would coordinate state and local anti-drug efforts through public and private funding for drug addiction treatment and prevention. The League is supportive of this legislation.
