As Introduced

136th General Assembly

Regular Session H. B. No. 520

2025-2026

Representatives Mathews, T., Thomas, D.

Cosponsors: Representatives Fischer, Hall, T.

To establish and convene a Blue Ribbon Committee in each county to review and assess each taxing unit within the county and each county program or department to identify duplication of services and generally to streamline and improve county efficiency and effectiveness.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section 1. (A) As used in this section, "taxing unit" has the meaning defined in section 5705.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) The board of county commissioners of each county, or the county executive, shall establish and convene a Blue Ribbon Committee to do all of the following:

(1) Review and assess each taxing unit within the county to determine the taxing districts and levying entities most able to combine and consolidate operations for taxpayer savings;

(2) Review and assess each county program or department to identify duplication of services and generally to streamline and improve county efficiency and effectiveness;

(3) Review and assess each public service and district, including water, sewer, health, park, and cemetery, to identify duplication of services and ability for consolidation.

(C) The Blue Ribbon Committee shall consist of all of the following:

(1) The three members of the board of county commissioners, or, in the case of a county with an appointed or elected county executive, the county executive and two residents of the county appointed by the executive, with the approval of the legislative authority of the county;

(2) The county auditor, or the official acting in that capacity;

(3) The mayor of each municipal corporation that levies an income tax, and which is located, in whole or in part, within the county;

(4) A township trustee, for each township that is located in whole or in part within the county, selected by the board of township trustees;

(5) The superintendent of any school district and educational service center that is located in whole or in part within the county.

(D) Members of the Blue Ribbon Committee are not entitled to compensation for service on the Committee, but may be reimbursed, by the county, for their actual and necessary expenses that are incurred in the discharge of duties on the Committee.

(E) The Blue Ribbon Committee shall, not later than one year after the effective date of this act, prepare a report of its recommendations for combining taxing entities, sharing services, and executing programs more efficiently. The report shall be published on the internet web site of the county, and shall be submitted to the General Assembly under division (B) of section 101.68 of the Revised Code.