From: "Heidi Fought" <[log in to unmask]>
A substitute version of the budget bill was introduced last week by Sponsor
and Finance Committee Chairman Vernon Sykes. An omnibus amendment was
introduced and accepted yesterday afternoon. Late last evening, Sub. HB 1
was favorably reported by the House Committee by a vote of 16-15 and will be
on the House floor on April 29. The altered budget bill contains several
provisions that pertain to townships.
Extension of Full TPP Reimbursement
A provision was included that would extend 100% TPP reimbursement through FY
2011, which ends June 30, 2011. This gives local governments an extra six
months of full reimbursement and members of the general assembly extra time
to possibly come up with a funding source to address the trainwreck that
will occur in 2018 when the TPP is completely phased out. The OTA strongly
supports the inclusion of this provision.
Rural University Funding & OSU Extension Funding
The Sub. bill includes a provision to restore partial funding ($149,891 each
year) to the Rural University Program, of which Miami University - Center
for Public Management and Regional Affairs (CPMRA) receives their funding.
As you all know, the Ohio Township Association has a cooperative agreement
with CPMRA and we work very closely with Dr. Russo and staff on a variety of
projects including our website, surveys, Leadership Academy, conference
presentations, and much, much more. Sub. HB 1 also restored 2008 level
funding to OSU Extension. The OTA also works closely with OSU Extension on
projects including zoning surveys, Leadership Academy, zoning seminars, OTA
scholarships, and many more. The OTA strongly supports the restoration of
funding for both of these programs.
Fire Department Grants
Language was inserted in Sub. HB 1 through the omnibus amendment that would
provide for over $1.6 million in fire department grants and the following
entities would be eligible: volunteer fire departments, fire departments
serving small communities, joint fire districts comprised of volunteers that
serve primarily small communities, and units of local government responsible
for fire departments or the provision of fire protection for small
communities. Additionally, fire protection services would be an eligible
use of grant money but award amounts will be limited to $15,000 per fiscal
year per award winning entity for fire protection services and fire fighter
training. The OTA strongly supports all programs that would provide grants
to local governments.
OTHER THINGS IN THE BILL
Extension of Time for Forming Enterprise Zones
A provision was inserted in the omnibus amendment that would extend the
possibility of creating an enterprise zone. Current law sunsets enterprise
zone law in October 15, 2009. The language in the omnibus amendment would
extend the time period to October 15, 2010.
County Land Banks
Last General Assembly, Cuyahoga County was given permissive authority to
create a county land bank to deal with foreclosed homes and abandoned homes.
This permissive authority is being granted to all counties in the omnibus
amendment to Sub. HB 1. This program will allow counties to create a land
reutilization corporation for the purpose of disposing of tax-delinquent
real property.
CONCERNS WITH SUB HB 1 & OMNIBUS AMENDMENT
Collective Bargaining for All Paid, Full-Time Township Fire Departments
Unfortunately the House Majority did not remove a provision of the bill that
pertains to township fire departments. Current law exempts townships that
have less than 5,000 people from the collective bargaining law. Sub. HB 1
contains a provision that would require all paid, full-time township fire
departments, regardless of population, to be subjected to the collective
bargaining law. This is of grave concern for townships, as collective
bargaining causes substantial costs increases for townships. (Attached is a
letter that the OTA prepared pertaining to HB 1 and this issue is discussed
and you are encouraged to review the letter.) The OTA is working with
several members of the House minority caucus on an amendment to Sub. HB 1
that may be offered prior to the bill being voted out of Finance Committee
next week. The OTA strongly objects to this provision.
Mandated Cafeteria Plans for Health Care
New language (Section 4113.11) was inserted in HB 1 that would mandate any
township with 10 or more employees to offer a cafeteria plan. Townships with
more than 500 employees would be required to implement a cafeteria plan by
January 1, 2011 or six months after rules are adopted, townships with
150-500 employees would be required to implement by July 1, 2011 or 12
months after rules are adopted and townships with 10-150 employees would be
required to implement by January 1, 2012 or 18 months after rules are
adopted. This is of grave concern to us because it is an unfunded mandate
and it would require a township to additionally offer a cafeteria plan even
though the township is offering an alternate form of health care coverage.
(Please refer to RC 505.603 for township's current ability to offer this
program.) The OTA strongly objects to this provision.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
The OTA is requesting that townships contact your state representatives and
express their support for the TPP extension, the Rural University
Program/OSU Extension Funding, and the fire department grants and your
opposition to the collective bargaining and mandated cafeteria plan
language.
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