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Chapter 5540 | Transportation Improvement Districts

 
 
 
Section
Section 5540.01 | Transportation improvement district definitions.
 

As used in this chapter:

(A) "Transportation improvement district" or "district" means a transportation improvement district designated pursuant to section 5540.02 of the Revised Code.

(B) "Governmental agency" means a department, division, or other unit of state government; a county, township, or municipal corporation or other political subdivision; a regional transit authority or regional transit commission created pursuant to Chapter 306. of the Revised Code; a port authority created pursuant to Chapter 4582. of the Revised Code; and the United States or any agency thereof.

(C) "Project" means a street, highway, parking facility, freight rail tracks and necessarily related freight rail facilities, or other transportation project constructed or improved under this chapter and includes all bridges, tunnels, overpasses, underpasses, interchanges, approaches, those portions of connecting streets or highways that serve interchanges and are determined by the district to be necessary for the safe merging of traffic between the project and those streets or highways, service facilities, and administration, storage, and other buildings, property, and facilities, that the district considers necessary for the operation of the project, together with all property and rights that must be acquired by the district for the construction, maintenance, or operation of the project. "Project" includes a qualifying project.

(D) "Cost," as applied to the construction of a project, includes the cost of construction, including bridges over or under existing highways and railroads, acquisition of all property acquired by the district for such construction, demolishing or removing any buildings or structures on land so acquired, including the cost of acquiring any lands to which such buildings or structures may be moved, site clearance, improvement, and preparation, diverting streets or highways, interchanges with streets or highways, access roads to private property, including the cost of land or easements therefor, all machinery, furnishings, and equipment, communications facilities, financing and auditing expenses, interest prior to and during construction and for one year after completion of construction, traffic estimates, indemnity and surety bonds and premiums on insurance, and guarantees, engineering, feasibility studies, and legal expenses, plans, specifications, surveys, estimates of cost and revenues, other expenses necessary or incidental to determining the feasibility or practicability of constructing a project, and such other expense as may be necessary or incident to the construction of the project and the financing of such construction. Any obligation or expense incurred by any governmental agency or person for surveys, borings, preparation of plans and specifications, and other engineering services, or any other cost described above, in connection with the construction of a project may be regarded as part of the cost of the project and reimbursed from revenues, taxes, or the proceeds of bonds as authorized by this chapter.

(E) "Owner" includes any person having any title or interest in any property authorized to be acquired by a district under this chapter.

(F) "Revenues" means all moneys received by a district with respect to the lease, sublease, or sale, including installment sale, conditional sale, or sale under a lease-purchase agreement, of a project, all moneys received by a district under an agreement pursuant to Section 515.03 of H.B. 66 of the 126th general assembly, Section 555.10 of H.B. 67 of the 127th general assembly, or Section 755.20 of H.B. 153 of the 129th general assembly, any gift or grant received with respect to a project, tolls, special assessments levied by the district, sales and use taxes received from a qualifying regional transit authority for any purpose authorized by section 306.353 of the Revised Code, proceeds of bonds to the extent the use thereof for payment of principal or of premium, if any, or interest on the bonds is authorized by the district, proceeds from any insurance, condemnation, or guaranty pertaining to a project or property mortgaged to secure bonds or pertaining to the financing of a project, and income and profit from the investment of the proceeds of bonds or of any revenues.

(G) "Street or highway" has the same meaning as in section 4511.01 of the Revised Code.

(H) "Financing expenses" means all costs and expenses relating to the authorization, issuance, sale, delivery, authentication, deposit, custody, clearing, registration, transfer, exchange, fractionalization, replacement, payment, and servicing of bonds including, without limitation, costs and expenses for or relating to publication and printing, postage, delivery, preliminary and final official statements, offering circulars, and informational statements, travel and transportation, underwriters, placement agents, investment bankers, paying agents, registrars, authenticating agents, remarketing agents, custodians, clearing agencies or corporations, securities depositories, financial advisory services, certifications, audits, federal or state regulatory agencies, accounting and computation services, legal services and obtaining approving legal opinions and other legal opinions, credit ratings, redemption premiums, and credit enhancement facilities.

(I) "Bond proceedings" means the resolutions, trust agreements, certifications, notices, sale proceedings, leases, lease-purchase agreements, assignments, credit enhancement facility agreements, and other agreements, instruments, and documents, as amended and supplemented, or any one or more of combination thereof, authorizing, or authorizing or providing for the terms and conditions applicable to, or providing for the security or sale or award or liquidity of, bonds, and includes the provisions set forth or incorporated in those bonds and bond proceedings.

(J) "Bond service charges" means principal, including any mandatory sinking fund or mandatory redemption requirements for retirement of bonds, and interest and any redemption premium payable on bonds, as those payments come due and are payable to the bondholder or to a person making payment under a credit enhancement facility of those bond service charges to a bondholder.

(K) "Bond service fund" means the applicable fund created by the bond proceedings for and pledged to the payment of bond service charges on bonds provided for by those proceedings, including all moneys and investments, and earnings from investments, credited and to be credited to that fund as provided in the bond proceedings.

(L) "Bonds" means bonds, notes, including notes anticipating bonds or other notes, commercial paper, certificates of participation, or other evidences of obligation, including any interest coupons pertaining thereto, issued pursuant to this chapter.

(M) "Net revenues" means revenues lawfully available to pay both current operating expenses of a district and bond service charges in any fiscal year or other specified period, less current operating expenses of the district and any amount necessary to maintain a working capital reserve for that period.

(N) "Pledged revenues" means net revenues, moneys and investments, and earnings on those investments, in the applicable bond service fund and any other special funds, and the proceeds of any bonds issued for the purpose of refunding prior bonds, all as lawfully available and by resolution of the district committed for application as pledged revenues to the payment of bond service charges on particular issues of bonds.

(O) "Special funds" means the applicable bond service fund and any accounts and subaccounts in that fund, any other funds or accounts permitted by and established under, and identified as a special fund or special account in, the bond proceedings, including any special fund or account established for purposes of rebate or other requirements under federal income tax laws.

(P) "Credit enhancement facilities" means letters of credit, lines of credit, standby, contingent, or firm securities purchase agreements, insurance, or surety arrangements, guarantees, and other arrangements that provide for direct or contingent payment of bond service charges, for security or additional security in the event of nonpayment or default in respect of bonds, or for making payment of bond service charges and at the option and on demand of bondholders or at the option of the district or upon certain conditions occurring under put or similar arrangements, or for otherwise supporting the credit or liquidity of the bonds, and includes credit, reimbursement, marketing, remarketing, indexing, carrying, interest rate hedge, and subrogation agreements, and other agreements and arrangements for payment and reimbursement of the person providing the credit enhancement facility and the security for that payment and reimbursement.

(Q) "Refund" means to fund and retire outstanding bonds, including advance refunding with or without payment or redemption prior to stated maturity.

(R) "Property" includes interests in property.

(S) "Administrative agent," "agent," "commercial paper," "floating rate interest structure," "indexing agent," "interest rate hedge," "interest rate period," "put arrangement," and "remarketing agent" have the same meanings as in section 9.98 of the Revised Code.

(T) "Outstanding" as applied to bonds means outstanding in accordance with the terms of the bonds and the applicable bond proceedings.

(U) "Interstate system" has the same meaning as in section 5516.01 of the Revised Code.

(V) "Qualifying regional transit authority," "qualifying project," "qualifying bonds," and "sales and use tax" have the same meanings as in section 306.353 of the Revised Code.

Last updated April 27, 2023 at 12:16 PM

Section 5540.02 | Creation of transportation improvement district.
 

(A) A transportation improvement district may be created by the board of county commissioners of a county. The board, by resolution, shall determine the structure of the board of trustees of the transportation improvement district it creates by adopting the structure contained either in division (C)(1) or (2) of this section.

(B) A transportation improvement district is a body both corporate and politic, and the exercise by it of the powers conferred by this chapter in the financing, construction, maintenance, repair, and operation of a project are and shall be held to be essential governmental functions.

(C)(1) If the board of county commissioners so elects, a transportation improvement district shall be governed by a board of trustees consisting of the following members:

(a) Two members appointed by the board of county commissioners;

(b) Three members appointed by the legislative authority of the most populous municipal corporation in the district;

(c) Two members appointed by the legislative authority of the second most populous municipal corporation in the district;

(d) Two members appointed by the board of township trustees of the township in the county that is most populous in its unincorporated area;

(e) The county engineer;

(f) One member appointed by the legislative authority of any township or municipal corporation that cannot otherwise appoint a member to the board pursuant to this section, and that is wholly or partially within the area of the transportation improvement district as the district was originally designated by the board of county commissioners;

(g) If the area of a transportation improvement district is expanded by the board of county commissioners, the legislative authority of any township or municipal corporation that is wholly or partially within the area of expansion and that cannot otherwise appoint a member to the board pursuant to this section, with the consent of the board of trustees of the district, may appoint one member to the board;

(h) One member appointed by the regional planning commission for the county, who shall be a nonvoting member of the board;

(i) One member appointed at the discretion of the speaker of the house of representatives, who, if appointed, shall be a nonvoting member of the board and who may be a member of the house of representatives.

One of each of the appointments made by the board of county commissioners, the legislative authority of a municipal corporation, and the board of township trustees under divisions (C)(1)(a), (b), (c), and (d) of this section, shall be members of the chamber of commerce for the respective political subdivision.

Whenever the addition of members to the board of trustees of a transportation improvement district pursuant to division (C)(1)(f) or (g) of this section results in an even number of total voting members on the board, the board of trustees of the district may appoint an additional person to its membership to maintain an odd number of voting members.

(2) As an alternative to the structure prescribed in division (C)(1) of this section, a board of county commissioners, by resolution, may elect that the transportation improvement district it creates be governed by a board of trustees consisting of the following members:

(a) Five members appointed by the board of county commissioners;

(b) One member appointed at the discretion of the speaker of the house of representatives, who, if appointed, shall be a nonvoting member of the board and who may be a member of the house of representatives.

(D) Each appointed member of the board shall hold office for a term of two years but subject to removal at the pleasure of the authority that appointed the member. Members may be reappointed. Except as otherwise provided in this division, any vacancy on the board shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. Any vacancy on a board appointed under division (C)(1) of this section lasting longer than thirty days due to the failure of the legislative authority of a municipal corporation or a board of township trustees to make an appointment shall be filled by the board of trustees of the transportation improvement district.

(E) The voting members of the board shall elect from the entire board membership a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary-treasurer. A majority of the voting members of the board constitutes a quorum, the affirmative vote of which is necessary for any action of the district. No vacancy in the membership of the board impairs the right of a quorum to exercise all the rights and perform all duties of the district.

(F) The board of county commissioners of any county, the legislative authority of any municipal corporation, and the board of township trustees of any township may make appropriations from moneys available to them and not otherwise appropriated to pay costs incurred by the district in the exercise of its functions under this chapter, provided those moneys are available to use for that purpose.

(G) An organizational meeting of the board of trustees of a transportation improvement district created under this section shall be held at the time and place designated by the board member who has served the most years as a member of the board of county commissioners that created the transportation improvement district.

Last updated April 27, 2023 at 12:16 PM

Section 5540.03 | Powers of transportation improvement district.
 

(A) A transportation improvement district may:

(1) Adopt bylaws for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business;

(2) Adopt an official seal;

(3) Sue and be sued in its own name, plead and be impleaded, provided any actions against the district shall be brought in the court of common pleas of the county in which the principal office of the district is located, or in the court of common pleas of the county in which the cause of action arose, and all summonses, exceptions, and notices of every kind shall be served on the district by leaving a copy thereof at its principal office with the secretary-treasurer;

(4) Purchase, fund, finance, construct, maintain, repair, sell, exchange, police, operate, or lease projects;

(5) Issue either or both of the following for the purpose of providing funds to pay the costs of any project or part thereof:

(a) Transportation improvement district revenue bonds;

(b) Bonds pursuant to Section 13 of Article VIII, Ohio Constitution.

(6) Maintain such funds as it considers necessary;

(7) Direct its agents or employees, when properly identified in writing and after at least five days' written notice, to enter upon lands within its jurisdiction to make surveys and examinations preliminary to the location and construction of projects for the district, without liability of the district or its agents or employees except for actual damage done;

(8) Make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of its functions and the execution of its powers under this chapter;

(9) Employ or retain or contract for the services of consulting engineers, superintendents, managers, and such other engineers, construction and accounting experts, auditors, financial advisers, trustees, marketing, remarketing, and administrative agents, attorneys, and other employees, independent contractors, or agents as are necessary in its judgment and fix their compensation, provided all such expenses shall be payable solely from the proceeds of bonds or from revenues;

(10) Receive and accept from the federal or any state or local government, including, but not limited to, any agency, entity, or instrumentality of any of the foregoing, loans and grants for or in aid of the construction, maintenance, or repair of any project, and receive and accept aid or contributions from any source or person of money, property, labor, or other things of value, to be held, used, and applied only for the purposes for which such loans, grants, and contributions are made. Nothing in division (A)(10) of this section shall be construed as imposing any liability on this state for any loan received by a transportation improvement district from a third party unless this state has entered into an agreement to accept such liability.

(11) Acquire, hold, and dispose of property in the exercise of its powers and the performance of its duties under this chapter;

(12) Establish and collect tolls or user charges for its projects;

(13) Subject to section 5540.18 of the Revised Code, enter into an agreement with a contiguous board of county commissioners other than the board of county commissioners that created the transportation improvement district, for the district to exercise all or any portion of its powers with respect to a project that is located wholly or partially within the county that is party to the agreement;

(14) Cooperate with any governmental agencies in the planning, design, acquisition, construction, maintenance, funding, and financing of projects, including qualifying projects. In doing so, the district may enter into agreements with other governmental agencies to plan, design, acquire, construct, maintain, fund, and finance the projects or qualifying projects and to use pledged or assigned sales and use tax revenue to pay the debt service on qualifying bonds.

(15) Enter into an agreement with the board of county commissioners that created the transportation improvement district and with the boards of county commissioners of any contiguous group of counties to exercise all powers of the district with respect to a project that is both of the following:

(a) Located partially or wholly within any county that is a party to the agreement;

(b) Partially funded with federal money.

(16) Do all acts necessary and proper to carry out the powers expressly granted in this chapter.

(B)(1) Chapters 123., 124., 125., and 153., and sections 9.331 to 9.335 and 307.86 of the Revised Code do not apply to contracts or projects of a transportation improvement district.

(2) A transportation improvement district is subject to sections 4115.03 to 4115.21 and 4115.99 of the Revised Code, unless the amount of state or local government funds, including, but not limited to, those provided by any agency, entity, or instrumentality of the state or a local government as described in division (A)(10) of this section received for the contract or project, is, in the aggregate, less than the amounts described in or calculated under section 4115.03 of the Revised Code.

Last updated April 27, 2023 at 12:15 PM

Section 5540.031 | Special assessments for improvements.
 

(A) The board of trustees of a transportation improvement district may provide for the construction, reconstruction, improvement, alteration, or repair of any road, highway, public place, building, or other infrastructure and levy special assessments, if the board determines that the public improvement will benefit the area where it will be constructed, reconstructed, improved, altered, or repaired. However, if the improvement is proposed for territory in a political subdivision located outside the district's territory, the legislative authority of that political subdivision shall approve the undertaking of the improvement within the political subdivision.

(B) If any improvements are made under this section, contracts for the improvement may provide that the improvement may be owned by the district or by the person or corporation supplying it to the district under a lease.

(C) If the board of trustees of a district proposes an improvement described in division (A) of this section, the board shall conduct a hearing on the proposed improvement. The board shall indicate by metes and bounds the area in which the public improvement will be made and the area that will benefit from the improvement.

(D) The board of trustees shall fix a day for a hearing on the proposed improvement. The secretary-treasurer of the board shall deliver, to each owner of a parcel of land or a lot that the board identifies as benefiting from the proposed improvement, a notice that sets forth the substance of the proposed improvement and the time and place of the hearing on it. At least fifteen days before the date set for the hearing, a copy of the notice shall be served upon the owner or left at the owner's usual place of residence, or, if the owner is a corporation, upon an officer or agent of the corporation. On or before the day of the hearing, the person serving notice of the hearing shall make return thereon, under oath, of the time and manner of service, and shall file the notice with the secretary-treasurer of the board.

At least fifteen days before the day set for the hearing on the proposed improvement, the secretary-treasurer shall give notice to each nonresident owner of a lot or parcel of land in the area to be benefited by the improvement, by publication once in a newspaper of general circulation in the one or more counties in which this area is located. The publication of the notice shall be verified by affidavit of the printer or other person having knowledge of the publication and shall be filed with the secretary-treasurer of the district on or before the date of the hearing.

(E) At the time and place specified in the notice for a hearing on the proposed improvement, the board of trustees of the district shall meet and hear any and all testimony provided by any of the parties affected by the proposed improvement and by any other persons competent to testify. The board or its representatives shall inspect, by an actual viewing, the area to be benefited by the proposed improvement. The board shall determine the necessity of the proposed improvement and may find that the proposed improvement will result in general as well as special benefits. The board may adjourn from time to time and to such places as it considers necessary.

(F)(1) The board may award contracts or enter into a lease agreement for the construction, reconstruction, improvement, alteration, or repair of any improvement described in division (A) of this section and may issue notes, bonds, revenue anticipatory instruments, or other obligations, as authorized by this chapter, to finance the improvements.

(2) All or a part of the costs and expenses of providing for the construction, reconstruction, improvement, alteration, or repair of any improvement described in division (F)(1) of this section may be paid from a fund into which may be paid special assessments levied under this section against the lots and parcels of land in the area to be benefited by the improvement, if the board finds that the improvement will result in general or special benefits to the benefited area. These special assessments shall be levied not more than one time on the same lot or parcel of land. Such costs and expenses may also be paid from the treasury of the district or from other available sources in amounts the board finds appropriate.

(3) The board shall levy special assessments at an amount not to exceed ten per cent of the assessable value of the lot or parcel of land being assessed. The board shall determine the assessable value of a lot or parcel of land in the following manner: the board shall first determine the fair market value of the lot or parcel being assessed in the calendar year in which the area to be benefited by the public improvement is first designated and then multiply this amount by the average rate of appreciation in value of the lot or parcel since that calendar year. The assessable value of the lot or parcel is the current fair market value of the lot or parcel minus the amount calculated in the manner described in the immediately preceding sentence. The board may adjust the assessable value of a lot or parcel of land to reflect a sale of the lot or parcel that indicates an appreciation in its value that exceeds its average rate of appreciation in value.

(4) Special assessments levied by the board may be paid in full in a lump sum or may be paid and collected in equal semiannual installments, equal in number to twice the number of years for which the lease of the improvement is made or twice the number of years that the note, bond, instrument, or obligation that the assessments are pledged to pay requires. The assessments shall be paid and collected in the same manner and at the same time as real property taxes are paid and collected, and assessments in the amount of fifty dollars or less shall be paid in full, and not in installments, at the time the first or next installment would otherwise become due and payable. Complaints regarding assessments may be made to the county board of revision in the same manner as complaints relating to the valuation and assessment of real property.

Credits against assessments shall be granted equal to the value of any construction, reconstruction, improvement, alteration, or repair that an owner of a parcel of land or lot makes to an improvement pursuant to an agreement between the owner and the district.

(5) After the levy of a special assessment, the board, at any time during any year in which an installment of the assessment becomes due, may pay out of other available funds of the district, including any state or federal funds available to the district, the full amount of the price of the contract that the special assessments are pledged to pay for that year or any other portion of the remaining obligation. The board shall be the sole determiner of the definition, extent, and allocation of the benefit resulting from an improvement that the board authorizes under this section.

(G)(1) The board shall certify to the appropriate county auditor the boundaries of the area that is benefited by any public improvement the board authorizes under this section and, when the board so requests, the auditor shall apportion the valuation of any lot or parcel of land lying partly within and partly outside the area so benefited.

(2) The board by resolution shall assess against the lots and parcels of land located in the area that is benefited by a public improvement such portion of the costs of completing the public improvement as the board determines, for the period that may be necessary to pay the note, bond, instrument, or obligation issued to pay for the improvement and the proceedings in relation to it, and shall certify these costs to the appropriate county auditor.

(3) Except for assessments that have been paid in full in a lump sum, the county auditor shall annually place upon the tax duplicate, for collection in semiannual installments, the two installments of the assessment for that year, which shall be paid and collected at the same time and in the same manner as real property taxes. The collected assessments shall be paid to the treasury of the district and the board of the district shall use the assessments for any purpose authorized by this chapter.

Section 5540.04 | Acquiring and disposing of property.
 

(A) A transportation improvement district may acquire by purchase, lease, lease-purchase, lease with option to purchase, appropriation, or otherwise and in such manner and for such consideration as it considers proper, any public or private property necessary, convenient, or proper for the construction, maintenance, repair, or operation of a project. The district may pledge net revenues, to the extent permitted by this chapter with respect to bonds, to secure payments to be paid by the district under such a lease, lease-purchase agreement, or lease with option to purchase. Title to real and personal property shall be held in the name of the district. In any proceedings for appropriation under this section, the procedure to be followed shall be in accordance with that provided in sections 163.01 to 163.22 of the Revised Code. Except as otherwise agreed to by the owner, full compensation shall be paid for public property so taken.

(B) This section does not authorize a district to take or disturb property or facilities belonging to any public utility or to a common carrier engaged in interstate commerce, which property or facilities are required for the proper and convenient operation of the public utility or common carrier, unless provision is made for the restoration, relocation, replication, or duplication of the property or facilities elsewhere at the sole cost of the district.

(C) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, disposition of real property shall be by sale, lease-purchase agreement, lease with option to purchase, or otherwise in such manner and for such consideration as the district determines if to a governmental agency, and otherwise in the manner provided in section 5501.45 of the Revised Code for the disposition of property by the director of transportation. Disposition of personal property shall be in such manner and for such consideration as the district determines.

Section 5540.05 | Acquiring excess real property in connection with project.
 

The board of trustees of a district may acquire real property in fee simple in the name of the district in connection with, but in excess of that needed for, a project by any method other than appropriation and hold the property for such period of time as the board determines. All right, title, and interest of the district in the property may be sold at public auction or otherwise, as the board considers in the best interests of the district; but in no event shall the property be sold for less than two-thirds of its appraised value. Sale at public auction shall be undertaken only after the board advertises the sale in a newspaper of general circulation in the district for two weeks or as provided in section 7.16 of the Revised Code, prior to the date set for the sale.

Section 5540.06 | Issuing bonds.
 

(A) The board of trustees of a transportation improvement district may provide by resolution for the issuance, at one time or from time to time, of bonds of the district for the purpose of paying all or any part of the cost of any one or more projects. The bond service charges shall be payable solely from pledged revenues pledged for such payment pursuant to the applicable bond proceedings. The bonds of each issue shall be dated, shall bear interest at a rate or rates or at variable rates, and shall mature or be payable at such time or times, with a final maturity not to exceed thirty years from their date or dates, all as determined by the board in the bond proceedings. The board shall determine the form of the bonds, including any interest coupons to be attached thereto, and shall fix the denomination or denominations of the bonds and the place or places of payment of bond service charges.

(B) The bonds shall be signed by the chairperson or vice-chairperson of the board or by the facsimile signature of that officer, the official seal of the district or a facsimile thereof may be affixed thereto or printed thereon and attested by the secretary-treasurer of the district, which may be by facsimile signature, and any coupons attached thereto shall bear the facsimile signature of the chairperson or vice-chairperson of the board. In case any officer whose signature, or a facsimile of whose signature, appears on any bonds or coupons ceases to be such officer before delivery of the bonds, such signature or facsimile shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes the same as if the officer had remained in office until such delivery.

(C) Subject to the bond proceedings and provisions for registration, the bonds shall have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under Title XIII of the Revised Code. The bonds may be issued in such form or forms as the board determines, including without limitation coupon, book entry, and fully registered form, and provision may be made for the registration of any coupon bonds as to principal alone and also as to both principal and interest, and for the exchange of bonds between forms. The board may sell such bonds by competitive bid on the best bid after advertisement or request for bids or by private sale in the manner, and for the price, it determines to be for the best interest of the district.

(D) The proceeds of the bonds of each issue shall be used solely for the payment of the costs of the project or projects for which the bonds were issued, and shall be disbursed in such manner and under such restrictions as the board provides in the bond proceedings.

(E) Prior to the preparation of definitive bonds, the board may, under like restrictions, issue interim receipts or temporary bonds or bond anticipation notes, with or without coupons, exchangeable for definitive bonds when such bonds have been executed and are available for delivery. The board may provide for the replacement of any mutilated, stolen, destroyed, or lost bonds.

(F) Sections 9.98 to 9.983 of the Revised Code apply to the bonds.

(G) The bond proceedings shall provide, subject to the provisions of any other applicable bond proceedings, for the pledge to the payment of bond service charges and of any costs of or relating to credit enhancement facilities of all, or such part as the board may determine, of the pledged revenues and the applicable special fund or funds, which pledges may be made to secure the bonds on a parity with bonds theretofore or thereafter issued if and to the extent provided in the bond proceedings. Every pledge, and every covenant and agreement with respect thereto, made in the bond proceedings may in the bond proceedings be extended to the benefit of the owners and holders of bonds and to any trustee and any person providing a credit enhancement facility for those bonds, for the further security for the payment of the bond service charges and credit enhancement facility costs.

(H) The bond proceedings may contain additional provisions as to:

(1) The redemption of bonds prior to maturity at the option of the board or of the bondholders or upon the occurrence of certain stated conditions, and at such price or prices and under such terms and conditions as are provided in the bond proceedings;

(2) Other terms of the bonds;

(3) Limitations on the issuance of additional bonds;

(4) The terms of any trust agreement securing the bonds or under which the same may be issued;

(5) Any or every provision of the bond proceedings being binding upon the board and state agencies, or other person as may from time to time have the authority under law to take such actions as may be necessary to perform all or any part of the duty required by such provision;

(6) Any provision that may be made in a trust agreement;

(7) Any other or additional agreements with the holders of the bonds, or the trustee therefor, relating to the bonds or the security for the bonds, including agreements for credit enhancement facilities.

(I) Any holder of bonds or a trustee under the bond proceedings, except to the extent that the holder's or trustee's rights are restricted by the bond proceedings, may by any suitable form of legal proceedings, protect and enforce any rights under the laws of this state or granted by the bond proceedings. Those rights include the right to compel the performance of all duties of the board required by this chapter or the bond proceedings; to enjoin unlawful activities; and in the event of default with respect to the payment of any bond service charges on any bonds or in the performance of any covenant or agreement on the part of the board contained in the bond proceedings, to apply to a court having jurisdiction of the cause to appoint a receiver to receive and administer the revenues and the pledged revenues which are pledged to the payment of the bond service charges on such bonds or that are the subject of the covenant or agreement, with full power to pay, and to provide for payment of, bond service charges on such bonds, and with such powers, subject to the direction of the court, as are accorded receivers in general equity cases, excluding any power to pledge additional revenue or receipts or other income, funds, or moneys of the board to the payment of such bond service charges and excluding the power to take possession of, mortgage, or cause the sale or otherwise dispose of any project or other property of the board.

(J) Each duty of the board and the board's officers and employees, undertaken pursuant to the bond proceedings, is hereby established as a duty of the board, and of each such officer, member, or employee having authority to perform the duty, specifically enjoined by law resulting from an office, trust, or station within the meaning of section 2731.01 of the Revised Code.

(K) The board's officers or employees are not liable in their personal capacities on any bonds issued by the board or any agreements of or with the board relating to those bonds.

(L) The bonds are lawful investments for banks, savings and loan associations, credit union share guaranty corporations, trust companies, trustees, fiduciaries, insurance companies, including domestic for life and domestic not for life, trustees or other officers having charge of sinking and bond retirement or other funds of the state or its political subdivisions and taxing districts, the commissioners of the sinking fund of the state, the administrator of workers' compensation, the state teachers retirement system, the public employees retirement system, the school employees retirement system, and the Ohio police and fire pension fund, notwithstanding any other provisions of the Revised Code or rules adopted pursuant thereto by any state agency with respect to investments by them, and also are acceptable as security for the repayment of the deposit of public moneys.

(M) Provision may be made in the applicable bond proceedings for the establishment of separate accounts in the bond service fund and for the application of such accounts only to the specified bond service charges pertinent to such accounts and bond service fund, and for other accounts therein within the general purposes of such fund.

(N) The board may pledge all, or such portion as it determines, of the pledged revenues to the payment of bond service charges, and for the establishment and maintenance of any reserves and special funds, as provided in the bond proceedings, and make other provisions therein with respect to pledged revenues, revenues, and net revenues as authorized by this chapter, which provisions shall be controlling notwithstanding any other provisions of law pertaining thereto.

(O) The board may pledge all, or such portion as it determines, of the pledged or assigned sales and use taxes received from a qualifying regional transit authority to the payment of debt service charges on any qualifying bonds issued by the transportation improvement district to fund or finance qualifying projects under section 306.353 of the Revised Code.

Last updated April 27, 2023 at 12:14 PM

Section 5540.07 | Refunding outstanding bonds.
 

The board of trustees of a transportation improvement district may provide by resolution for the issuance of bonds of the district, payable solely from pledged revenues, for the purpose of refunding any bonds then outstanding, including the payment of related financing expenses and, if considered advisable by the board, for the additional purpose of paying costs of improvements, extensions, renovations, or enlargements of any project. The issuance of refunding bonds, the maturities and other details thereof, the rights of the holders thereof, and the rights, duties, and obligations of the board in respect to such bonds shall be governed by the provisions of this chapter insofar as they are applicable and by the applicable bond proceedings.

Section 5540.08 | Additional alternative methods.
 

This chapter provides an additional and alternative method for doing the things and taking the actions authorized by this chapter. This chapter shall be regarded as supplemental and additional to powers conferred by other laws. The issuance of bonds under this chapter need not comply with any other law applicable to the issuance of bonds.

Section 5540.09 | Bonds not a debt of state.
 

(A) The bonds do not constitute a debt, or a pledge of the faith and credit, of the state or of any political subdivision of the state. Bond service charges on outstanding bonds are payable solely from the pledged revenues pledged for their payment as authorized by this chapter and as provided in the bond proceedings. All bonds shall contain on their face a statement to that effect.

(B) All expenses incurred in carrying out this chapter shall be payable solely from revenues provided under this chapter. Except as provided in Section 515.03 of H.B. 66 of the 126th General Assembly, this chapter does not authorize the board of trustees of a district to incur indebtedness or liability on behalf of or payable by the state or any political subdivision of the state.

Section 5540.10 | Securing bonds by trust agreement.
 

(A) In the discretion of the board of trustees of a transportation improvement district any bonds may be secured by a trust agreement between the board and a corporate trustee, which may be any trust company or bank having the powers of a trust company within or without the state but authorized to exercise trust powers within this state.

(B) Any trust agreement may pledge or assign the revenues to be received, but shall not convey or mortgage any project or any part thereof. Any such trust agreement or other bond proceedings may contain such provisions for protecting and enforcing the rights and remedies of the bondholders as are reasonable and proper and not in violation of law, including covenants setting forth the duties of the board in relation to the acquisition of property, and the construction, maintenance, and repair of the project or projects in connection with which such bonds are authorized and the custody, safeguarding, and application of all moneys, and provisions for the employment or retention of the services of consulting engineers in connection with the construction, maintenance, or repair of the project or projects. Any bank or trust company incorporated under the laws of this state which may act as depository of the proceeds of bonds or of revenues may furnish such indemnifying bonds or may pledge such securities as are required by the board. Any such trust agreement may set forth the rights and remedies of the bondholders and of the trustee, may restrict the individual right of action by bondholders as is customary in revenue bond trust agreements of public bodies, and may contain such other provisions as the board considers reasonable and proper for the security of the bondholders. All expenses incurred in entering into or carrying out the provisions of any such trust agreement may be treated as a part of the cost of the project or projects. Chapter 135. of the Revised Code shall not apply to investments made pursuant to any such trust agreement.

Section 5540.11 | Applying revenue from project.
 

Revenues derived from each project of a transportation improvement district in connection with which any bonds are outstanding shall be first applied to pay the cost of the construction, maintenance, and repair of the project and to provide such reserves therefor as are provided for in the bond proceedings authorizing the issuance of those outstanding bonds, and otherwise as provided by the board of trustees of the district, and the balance of the pledged revenues shall be set aside, at such regular intervals as are provided in the bond proceedings in a bond service fund which is hereby pledged to and charged with the payment of the bond service charges on any such outstanding bonds as provided in the applicable bond proceedings. Such pledge shall be valid and binding from the time the pledge is made; the revenues and the pledged revenues thereafter received by the board shall immediately be subject to the lien of such pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act, and the lien of such pledge shall be valid and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract, or otherwise against the board, whether or not such parties have notice thereof. The bond proceedings by which a pledge is created need not be filed or recorded except in the records of the board. The use and disposition of moneys to the credit of a bond service fund shall be subject to the applicable bond proceedings. Except as is otherwise provided in such bond proceedings, such a bond service fund shall be a fund for all such bonds, without distinction or priority of one over another.

Section 5540.12 | Deposit and use of moneys.
 

All moneys received by the board of trustees of a transportation improvement district under this chapter, whether as proceeds from the sale of bonds, as revenues, or otherwise are to be held and applied solely as provided in this chapter and in any applicable bond proceedings. Such moneys shall be kept in depositories as selected by the board in the manner provided in sections 135.01 to 135.21 of the Revised Code, insofar as such sections are applicable, and the deposits shall be secured as provided in sections 135.01 to 135.21 of the Revised Code. The bond proceedings shall provide that any officer to whom, or any bank or trust company to which, revenues or pledged revenues are paid shall act as trustee of such moneys and hold and apply them for the purposes thereof, subject to applicable provisions of this chapter and the bond proceedings.

Section 5540.13 | Protection and enforcement of rights of bondholder and trustees.
 

Any holder of bonds issued and outstanding under this chapter, or any of the coupons appertaining thereto, and the trustee under any trust agreement, except to the extent the rights given by this chapter may be restricted or modified by the bond proceedings, may by suit, action, mandamus, or other proceedings, protect and enforce any rights under the laws of the state or granted under this chapter or the bond proceedings, and may enforce and compel the performance of all duties required by this chapter or the bond proceedings, to be performed by the board of trustees of a transportation improvement district or any officer of the board.

Section 5540.14 | Enforcing rights of bondholder.
 

The exercise of the powers granted by this chapter is in all respects for the benefit of the people of the state, for the increase of their commerce and prosperity, and for the improvement of their health and living conditions, and as the construction, maintenance, and repair of projects by a transportation improvement district constitute the performance of essential governmental functions, the district shall not be required to pay any state or local taxes or assessments upon any project, or upon revenues or any property acquired or used by the district under this chapter, or upon the income therefrom. The bonds issued under this chapter, their transfer, and the income therefrom, including any profit made on the sale thereof, shall at all times be free from taxation within the state.

Section 5540.15 | Demonstrating ways to facilitate public-private cooperation and flexibility in financing, constructing, maintaining, or operating transportation projects.
 

The department of transportation shall undertake a demonstration project to study, develop, and demonstrate ways to facilitate public-private cooperation and flexibility in financing, constructing, maintaining, or operating transportation projects. In so doing it shall take all steps necessary and appropriate to facilitate the efforts of a transportation improvement district established in accordance with this chapter for the expeditious completion of the Butler county regional highway, the Allen road interchange, and the State Route 747 expansion in Butler county. Such steps may include advising and providing technical assistance to the district, and may also include designating the county engineer to serve as the department's agent to review project designs and determine if they meet state and federal specifications.

Section 5540.16 | Findings as to surface transportation projects undertaken under chapter.
 

It is hereby found and determined that surface transportation projects undertaken pursuant to this chapter are essential and will contribute to the improvement of the prosperity, health, safety, and welfare of the people of a transportation improvement district and to all of the state, and that it is in the public interest and a proper public purpose for a transportation improvement district to acquire, construct, enlarge, improve, equip, sell, lease, lease-purchase, exchange, or otherwise dispose of property, structures, and other facilities for such transportation projects. It is further found and determined that exercise of the authority granted by sections 5540.01 to 5540.17 of the Revised Code is consistent with and will promote industry, commerce, distribution, and research activity in the state. Sections 5540.01 to 5540.17 of the Revised Code, being necessary for the prosperity, health, safety, and welfare of the state and its people, shall be liberally construed to effect their purposes.

Section 5540.17 | Political subdivision need not consent or approve.
 

Notwithstanding any other section of the Revised Code to the contrary, the approval, consent, or cooperation of a political subdivision is not required for a transportation improvement district project that involves constructing or improving a street or highway that runs through the territory of the political subdivision, connects to a highway that is part of the interstate system, and has been journalized by the director of transportation prior to the effective date of this section.

Last updated April 21, 2022 at 3:49 PM

Section 5540.18 | Transportation improvement district projects outside district.
 

A board of county commissioners may enter into an agreement with a contiguous transportation improvement district that the board of county commissioners did not create for the district to undertake a project that is located wholly or partially within that county provided that, the board of county commissioners of the county that created the transportation improvement district also must enter into the agreement.

No transportation improvement district shall undertake a project that is located wholly or partially within a county that did not create the transportation improvement district except pursuant to an agreement entered into in accordance with this section, a project being undertaken by two or more transportation improvement districts, or as otherwise provided by law.