Bill > HB49

This bill allows for the creation of water improvement districts in Ohio, establishing a comprehensive framework for their formation, governance, and operations. The bill creates a new chapter in the Ohio Revised Code that enables counties to establish water improvement districts with broad powers to facilitate, coordinate, fund, finance, construct, reconstruct, or repair water projects. The districts will be governed by a five-voting-member board of trustees, including the county sanitary engineer (or county engineer) and four members with experience in water-related facilities. The bill establishes a detailed process for these districts to acquire property, issue bonds, levy special assessments, and undertake water improvement projects. A key feature is the creation of a water improvement district appeals board with eleven members, which will have exclusive original jurisdiction over actions related to water facilities in the county. The appeals board provides a mechanism for stakeholders to challenge district actions, with a structured appeals process that includes filing fees, hearings, and the ability to appeal to the court of appeals. The bill emphasizes that these districts and their activities constitute essential governmental functions, and the bonds they issue will be tax-exempt. Importantly, the districts can only undertake projects within or across counties through specific intergovernmental agreements, ensuring collaborative and controlled expansion of water improvement initiatives.