OHIO VILLAGE OFFICER’S HANDBOOK ____________________________________ March 2017 Dear Village Official: Public service is both an honor and challenge. In the current environment, service at the local level may be more challenging than ever before. This handbook is one small way my office seeks to assist you in meeting that challenge. To that end, this handbook is designed to be updated easily to ensure you have the latest information at your fingertips. Please feel free to forward questions, concerns or suggestions to my office so that the information we provide is accurate, timely and relevant. Of course, a manual of this nature is not to be confused with legal advice. Should you have concerns or questions of a legal nature, please consult your statutory legal counsel, the county prosecutor’s office or your private legal counsel, as appropriate. I understand the importance of local government and want to make sure we are serving you in ways that meet your needs and further our shared goals. If my office can be of further assistance, please let us know. I look forward to working with you as we face the unique challenges before us and deliver on our promises to the great citizens of Ohio. Thank you for your service. Sincerely, Dave Yost Auditor of State 88 East Broad Street, Fifth Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215-3506 Phone: 614-466-4514 or 800-282-0370 Fax: 614-466-4490 www.ohioauditor.gov This page is intentionally left blank. Village Officer’s Handbook TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1: Home Rule I. Definition ............................................................................................................................ 1-1 II. Classification ....................................................................................................................... 1-1 III. Plans of Government ........................................................................................................... 1-1 IV. Home Rule .......................................................................................................................... 1-1 A. Definition and Purpose ............................................................................................... 1-1 B. Charter vs. Non-Charter Village ................................................................................. 1-1 C. Local Self-Government Powers vs. Police Regulations ............................................. 1-2 V. Local Self-Government Powers .......................................................................................... 1-2 A. Procedural Local Self-Government Powers ................................................................ 1-2 B. Substantive Local Self-Government Powers .............................................................. 1-2 VI. Police Regulations .............................................................................................................. 1-3 A. Conflict ....................................................................................................................... 1-3 B. General Laws .............................................................................................................. 1-3 VII. Public Utilities .................................................................................................................... 1-3 A. Powers under Article XVIII, Section 3; Regulations .................................................. 1-3 B. Proprietary Function; Operation ................................................................................. 1-4 C. Rate Fixing .................................................................................................................. 1-4 D. Utility Contracts .......................................................................................................... 1-4 VIII. Questions and Answers ....................................................................................................... 1-5 Village Government .................................................................................................... 1-5 Matters of Procedural Local Self-Government ........................................................... 1-5 Matters of Substantive Local Self-Government .......................................................... 1-6 Police Regulations ...................................................................................................... 1-7 Conflict with General Laws ........................................................................................ 1-8 Chapter 2: Officers and Employees I. General Considerations ....................................................................................................... 2-1 A. Commission Plan ........................................................................................................ 2-1 B. Manager Plan .............................................................................................................. 2-1 C. Federal Plan ................................................................................................................ 2-1 II. Village Council ................................................................................................................... 2-1 A. Qualifications, Elections, Terms, and Compensation ................................................. 2-1 B. Organization ................................................................................................................ 2-3 C. Meetings ...................................................................................................................... 2-4 D. Actions ........................................................................................................................ 2-4 III. Village Mayor ..................................................................................................................... 2-5 A. Qualifications, Election, and Term ............................................................................. 2-5 B. Administration Powers and Duties ............................................................................. 2-5 C. Judicial Powers and Duties; Mayor’s Court ............................................................... 2-6 IV. Village Clerk ....................................................................................................................... 2-7 A. Clerk ............................................................................................................................ 2-7 B. Qualifications and Term ............................................................................................. 2-7 C. Clerk of the Board of Trustees of Public Affairs ........................................................ 2-8 D. Powers and Duties ...................................................................................................... 2-8 i Village Officer’s Handbook TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 2: Officers and Employees (continued) V. Village Treasurer ................................................................................................................. 2-9 A. Treasurer ..................................................................................................................... 2-9 B. Qualifications and Term ............................................................................................. 2-9 C. Powers and Duties ...................................................................................................... 2-9 D. Deposit of Funds ....................................................................................................... 2-10 E. Tax Administrator ..................................................................................................... 2-10 VI. Village Administrator........................................................................................................ 2-10 A. Appointment and Abolishment ................................................................................. 2-10 B. Powers and Duties .................................................................................................... 2-10 VII. Board of Trustees of Public Affairs .................................................................................. 2-11 A. Appointment and Election ........................................................................................ 2-11 B. Powers and Duties .................................................................................................... 2-11 VIII. Other Officers and Employees .......................................................................................... 2-12 A. Legal Counsel ........................................................................................................... 2-13 B. Street Commissioner ................................................................................................. 2-13 C. Marshal ..................................................................................................................... 2-13 D. Fire Chief and Fire Prevention Officer ..................................................................... 2-14 E. Planning Commission ............................................................................................... 2-14 F. Recreation Board and Board of Park Trustees .......................................................... 2-14 G. Board of Cemetery Trustees ..................................................................................... 2-14 H. Municipal Records Commission ..............................................................................