CCAO and the Organization of Solid Waste Districts of Ohio are sponsoring four solid waste management training sessions in April.  All sessions will include a summary of solid waste management in Ohio from the perspective of solid waste districts.  Training funds are provided by an Ohio EPA Environmental Education Fund grant.  Sessions will be conducted by Ohio EPA, GT Environmental, Inc. and Eastman & Smith.

CCAO has joined many local and human service associations in advocating to the U.S. Senate to extend the increased federal Medicaid reimbursement (aka FMAP).  Without a federal extension of the increased funding, states, including Ohio, will have to cut expenses elsewhere to fill the hole left behind.

Over the decades, CCAO has published four editions of the County Commissioners Handbook and distributed copies to all counties.  Since the first edition, the Handbook has grown to nearly 1,000 pages and publishing an updated copy of all chapters in a timely manner is nearly impossible.  Copies of each updated chapter will be published on our website when they are completed.  Recently, Chapter 103 - Indigent Defense was updated and published on our website.  This chapter was written by CCAO Senior Policy Analyst, John Leutz, Esq. who can be contacted at 614/220-7994 or 888/757-1904.

The first census took place in 1790 to determine the number of seats each state would have in the U.S. House of Representatives.  Today, the census is still vitally important.  An online interactive census website has been established to serve residents and local communities by providing additional information regarding the 2010 Census and offering ways to partner with Complete Count Committees.  Forty-two counties have established Complete Count Committees - volunteer teams consisting of community leaders - who work together to make sure entire communities are counted. 

The State Budget bill (HB 1) includes a new provision authorizing counties to implement a mandatory cost savings program beginning July 1, 2009.  The mandatory cost saving program permits counties to implement furloughs of all employees not subject to a collective bargaining agreement for up to 80 hours between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010 and an additional 80 hours between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011. Click on the link below for more information.

Athens County Commissioner Lenny Eliason was elected 2nd Vice President of the National Association of Counties (NACo) by acclamation during the Annual Conference held July 24-28 in Davidson County (Nashville), Tennessee.  This is the first time that a NACo officer has been elected from Ohio.  In January, 2010 Lenny became NACo 1st Vice President, due to an opening on the Executive Committee. 

As you recall, the CCAOSC initiated its natural gas procurement program in 2000 that has collectively save 29 counties over $7.4 million.  Recent modifications in the natural gas program increased the participation to over 40 counties!  In response the many requests from county commissioners to start a program to provide wholesale electric costs, CCAOSC is forming a new program to assist counties in securing lower cost electricity.  To get your county started, please complete the response ASAP.  If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, please contact either Kirkland Mizerek, Vice President of Palmer Energy, at 419/539-9180 or Tom Strup, CCAO Deputy Director of Operations, at 614/220-7978.

Earlier this year, the CCAO Service Corporation  announced a new energy program designed to help keep your county's natural gas costs under control.  CCAOSC has partnered with Palmer Energy to help manage a new natural gas program for member counties designed specifically to help save on your natural gas bill by utilizing the strength of group buying.  As you recall, the CCAOSC established a natural gas program in 2000 that saved the 30-member counties over $7.4 million in gas commodities.  Recent modifications to the program have increased the participation to over 40 counties!  For more information, please contact Kirkland Mizerek, Palmer Energy Vice President, at 419/539-9180 or Tom Strup, CCAO Deputy Director of Operations, at 614/220-7978.

This paper summarizes the legislative policy of the Coalition of Local Governments and Services which supports extending the current replacement of TPP through 2011 and securing a long term replacement mechanism for lost TPP taxes.  In addition, this paper also summarizes the history of TPP and the revenue impact resulting from the loss of TPP under HB 66.  CCAO is one of 15 local government associations that together comprise the Coalition of Local Governments and Services. This paper was sent by the Coalition to all candidates for the 128th General Assembly.