Section 5705.05 | Purpose and intent of general levy for current expenses.

• Effective: October 12, 2016
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 158 - 131st General Assembly

The purpose and intent of the general levy for current expenses is to provide one general operating fund derived from taxation from which any expenditures for current expenses of any kind may be made. The taxing authority of a political subdivision may include in such levy the amounts required for carrying into effect any of the general or special powers granted by law to such subdivision, including the acquisition or construction of permanent improvements and the payment of judgments, but excluding the payment of debt charges and, in the case of counties, the construction, reconstruction, resurfacing, or repair of roads and bridges. The power to include in the general levy for current expenses additional amounts for purposes for which a special tax is authorized shall not affect the right or obligation to levy such special tax. Without prejudice to the generality of the authority to levy a general tax for any current expense, such general levy shall include:

(A) The amounts certified to be necessary for the payment of final judgments;

(B) The amounts necessary for general, special, and primary elections;

(C) The amounts necessary for boards and commissioners of health, and other special or district appropriating authorities deriving their revenue in whole or part from the subdivision;

(D) In the case of municipal corporations, the amounts necessary for the maintenance, operation, and repair of public buildings, wharves, bridges, parks, and streets, for the prevention, control, and abatement of air pollution, and for a sanitary fund;

(E) In the case of counties, the amounts necessary for the maintenance, operation, and repair of public buildings, for providing or maintaining senior citizens services or facilities, for the relief and support of the poor, for the relief of needy blind, for the support of mental health or developmental disability services, for the relief of honorably discharged soldiers, indigent soldiers, sailors, and marines, for the operation and maintenance and the acquisition, construction, or improvement of permanent improvements, including, without limitation, the acquisition and improvement of land and buildings owned or used by a county land reutilization corporation organized under Chapter 1724. of the Revised Code, for mothers' pension fund, support of soil and water conservation districts, watershed conservancy districts, and educational television, for the prevention, control, and abatement of air pollution, and for the county's share of the compensation paid judges;

(F) In the case of a school district, the amounts necessary for tuition, the state teachers retirement system, and the maintenance, operation, and repair of schools;

(G) In the case of a township, the amounts necessary for the relief of the poor and for the prevention, control, and abatement of air pollution.

This section does not require the inclusion within the general levy of amounts for any purpose for which a special levy is authorized by section 5705.06 of the Revised Code.

The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.

Available Versions of this Section

• December 30, 2008 – House Bill 458, Senate Bill 353 - 127th General Assembly
• October 12, 2016 – House Bill 158 - 131st General Assembly