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Chapter 6115 | Sanitary Districts

 
 
 
Section
Section 6115.01 | Sanitary district definitions.
 

As used in sections 6115.01 to 6115.79 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Publication" means once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the counties wherein publication is to be made or as provided in section 7.16 of the Revised Code. Publication need not be made on the same day of the week in each of the weeks; but not less than fourteen days, excluding the day of first publication, shall intervene between the first publication and the last publication. Publication shall be complete on the date of the last publication.

(B) "Person" means person, firm, partnership, association, or corporation, other than county, township, municipal corporation, or other political subdivision.

(C) "Public corporation" means counties, townships, municipal corporations, school districts, road districts, ditch districts, park districts, levee districts, and all other governmental agencies clothed with the power of levying general or special taxes.

(D) "Court" means the court of common pleas in which the petition for the organization of a sanitary district was filed and granted. In the case of a district lying in more than one county, "court" means the court comprised of one judge of the court of common pleas from each county as provided in section 6115.04 of the Revised Code.

(E) "Land" or "property," unless otherwise specified, means real property, as "real property" is used in and defined by the laws of this state, and embraces all railroads, tramroads, roads, electric railroads, street and interurban railroads, streets and street improvements, telephones, telegraph, and transmission lines, gas, sewerage, and water systems, pipelines and rights-of-way of public service corporations, and all other real property whether public or private.

(F) "Board of directors" applies to the duties of one director appointed in accordance with section 6115.10 of the Revised Code in a district lying wholly within one county.

(G) "Biting arthropods" include mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, or other biting arthropods capable of transmitting disease to humans.

(H) "Bond" or "bonds" means bonds, notes, certificates of indebtedness, certificates of participation, commercial paper, and other instruments in writing, including, unless the context does not admit, bonds or notes issued in anticipation of the issuance of other bonds, issued by a sanitary district to evidence its obligation to repay money borrowed, or to pay interest, by, or to pay at any future time other money obligations of, the sanitary district.

(I) "Financing costs" has the same meaning as in division (K) of section 133.01 of the Revised Code.

Section 6115.02 | Sanitary district tax books and records.
 

The tax books and records provided for in this chapter shall be termed "sanitary district books" or "sanitary district records," and such titles shall be printed, stamped, or written thereon.

Section 6115.03 | Jurisdiction, evidence, forms establishing sanitary district.
 

(A) In any orders of court the words "The court now here finds that it hath jurisdiction of the parties to and of the subject matter of this proceeding" are equivalent to a finding that each jurisdictional fact necessary to confer plenary jurisdiction upon the court, beginning with the proper signing and filing of the initial petition to the date of the order, meets every legal requirement imposed by sections 6115.01 to 6115.79, inclusive, of the Revised Code.

(B) No other evidence of the legal hypothecation of the special tax to the payment of the bonds is required than the passage of a bonding resolution by the board of directors of a sanitary district and the issuance of bonds in accordance therewith.

(C) In the preparation of any assessment or appraisal roll the usual abbreviations employed by engineers, surveyors, and abstractors may be used.

(D) Where properly to describe any parcel of land, it would be necessary to use a long description, the board of appraisers of a sanitary district, after locating the land generally, may refer to the book and page of the public record of any instrument in which the land is described, which reference shall suffice to identify for all the purposes of such sections the land described in the public record so referred to.

(E) It is not necessary in any notice required by such sections to be published to specify the names of the owners of the lands or of the persons interested therein; but any such notice may be addressed "To All Persons Interested" with like effect as though such notice named by name every owner of any lands within the territory specified in the notice and every person interested therein, and every lienor, actual or inchoate.

(F) Every district declared upon hearing to be a sanitary district shall thereupon become a political subdivision and a public corporation of the state, invested with all the powers and privileges conferred upon such districts by such sections.

Section 6115.04 | Establishment and purpose of sanitary districts.
 

The court of common pleas of any county in this state, when the conditions stated in section 6115.05 of the Revised Code are found to exist, may establish sanitary districts within the county in which the court is located. Districts partly within and partly without such county may also be established by a court comprised of one judge of the court of common pleas from each county having area within the district, as provided in section 6115.08 of the Revised Code.

If there are but two judges who sit as a court under this section, and the judges are unable to agree as to the establishment of such district or upon any other question left for their decision, then a third judge from a disinterested county shall be appointed by the chief justice of the supreme court, which judge shall sit with the other two judges, and the decisions of a majority of the judges shall be final. Compensation for such judge shall be fixed by the chief justice.

Sanitary districts may be established for any of the following purposes:

(A) To prevent and correct the pollution of streams;

(B) To clean and improve stream channels for sanitary purposes;

(C) To regulate the flow of streams for sanitary purposes;

(D) To provide for the collection and disposal of sewage and other liquid wastes produced within the district;

(E) To provide a water supply for domestic, municipal, and public use within the district, and incident to those purposes and to enable their accomplishment to construct reservoirs, trunk sewers, intercepting sewers, siphons, pumping stations, wells, intakes, pipe lines, purification works, treatment and disposal works, to maintain, operate, and repair the same, to acquire additional water supplies by purchase, and to do all other things necessary for the fulfillment of the purposes of sections 6115.01 to 6115.79 of the Revised Code;

(F) To reduce populations of biting arthropods and abate their breeding places, and incident to those purposes to purchase supplies, materials, and equipment, to employ technicians and laborers, to build, construct, maintain, and repair such structures, devices, and improvements, to conduct studies and surveys of the populations of biting arthropods and of the incidence or spread within or among human or animal populations of diseases transmitted by biting arthropods, and to do such other things as are necessary or desirable to accomplish those purposes;

(G) To collect and dispose of garbage;

(H) To collect and dispose of any other refuse that may become a menace to health.

Section 6115.05 | Petition for establishment of sanitary district.
 

Before any court establishes a sanitary district as outlined in section 6115.04 of the Revised Code, a petition shall be filed in the office of the clerk of said court, signed by five hundred freeholders, or by a majority of the freeholders, or by the owners of more than half of the property, in either acreage or value, within the limits of the territory proposed to be organized into a district. Such a petition may be signed by the governing body of any public corporation lying wholly or partly within the proposed district, in such manner as it prescribes, and when so signed by such governing body such a petition on the part of said governing body shall fill all the requirements of representation upon such petition of the freeholders of such public corporation, as they appear upon the tax duplicate; and thereafter it is not necessary for individuals within said public corporation to sign such a petition. Such a petition may also be signed by railroads and other corporations owning lands.

Such petition may be filed by any city interested in some degree in the improvement, upon proper action by its governing body. Property in each political subdivision wholly or partly included in the proposed district shall be represented by the signers of the petition provided for by this section.

The petition for the establishment of a district to provide a water supply for domestic, municipal, and public use shall be signed by the governing body of each municipal corporation, or part thereof included in the proposed district, or by a majority of the freeholders of political subdivisions or parts thereof included in the proposed district and lying outside municipal corporations, and shall also be signed by the public service corporation which may be supplying water to the inhabitants of such political subdivisions under franchise granted by the governing bodies thereof.

The petition shall set forth the proposed name of said district, the necessity for the proposed work and that it will be conducive to the public health, safety, comfort, convenience, or welfare, and a general description of the purpose of the contemplated improvement, and of the territory to be included in the proposed district. Said description need not be given by metes and bounds or by legal subdivisions, but it is sufficient if a generally accurate description is given of the territory to be organized as a district. Said territory shall include two or more political subdivisions or portions thereof, and, except as a subdistrict provided for by section 6115.69 of the Revised Code, shall not be included wholly within the limits of a single municipal corporation. Said territory need not be contiguous, provided it is so situated that the public health, safety, comfort, convenience, or welfare will be promoted by the organization as a single district of the territory described. Said petition shall pray for the organization of the district by the name proposed.

No petition with the requisite signatures shall be declared void because of alleged defects, but the court may at any time permit the petition to be amended in form and substance to conform to the facts by correcting any errors in the description of the territory, or in any other particular. Several similar petitions or duplicate copies of the same petition for the organization of the same district may be filed and shall together be regarded as one petition. All such petitions filed prior to the hearing on said petition shall be considered by the court as though they had been filed with the first petition placed on file.

In determining when a majority of landowners has signed the petition, the court shall be governed by the names as they appear upon the tax duplicate, which shall be prima-facie evidence of such ownership.

Section 6115.06 | Bond for expenses to be filed with petition.
 

At the time of filing the petition provided for in section 6115.05 of the Revised Code, or at any time subsequent thereto and prior to the time of the hearing on said petition, a bond shall be filed, with security approved by the court, sufficient to pay all the expenses connected with the proceedings in case the court refuses to organize the sanitary district. If at any time during the proceeding the court is satisfied that the bond first executed is insufficient in amount, it may require the execution of an additional bond within a time to be fixed, which shall be not less than ten days distant, and upon failure of the petitioners to execute such additional bond the petition shall be dismissed.

Section 6115.07 | Notice of petition and hearing - jurisdiction.
 

Immediately after the filing of the petition provided for in section 6115.05 of the Revised Code, the clerk of the court with whom such petition is filed shall give notice by publication, in accordance with the suggested form in division (A) of section 6115.79 of the Revised Code, of the pendency of the petition and of the time and place of the hearing thereon. The clerk shall send notice by certified mail to the director of environmental protection. Such clerk shall cause such notices to be served personally upon the clerk of each political subdivision within the proposed district.

The court of common pleas of the county in which the petition was filed shall thereafter for all purposes of sections 6115.01 to 6115.79 of the Revised Code, except as otherwise provided in such sections, maintain and have original and exclusive jurisdiction coextensive with the boundaries and limits of said district and of lands and other property proposed to be included in said district or affected by said district, without regard to the usual limits of its jurisdiction.

Section 6115.08 | Hearing - order establishing district.
 

Any owner of real property in a proposed sanitary district who individually has not signed a petition under section 6115.05 of the Revised Code, and who wishes to object to the organization and incorporation of said district shall, on or before the date set for the cause to be heard, file his objections to the organization and incorporation of such district. Such objections shall be limited to a denial of the statements in the petition, and shall be heard by the court as an advanced case without unnecessary delay.

Upon the hearing, if it appears that the purposes of sections 6115.01 to 6115.79, inclusive, of the Revised Code, would be subserved by the creation of a district, the court, after disposing of all objections as justice and equity require, shall by its findings, duly entered of record, adjudicate all questions of jurisdiction, declare the district organized, and give it a corporate name by which in all proceedings it shall thereafter be known. A district so organized shall be a political subdivision of the state and a body corporate with all the powers of a corporation, and shall have perpetual existence, with power to sue and be sued, to incur debts, liabilities, and obligations, to exercise the right of eminent domain and of taxation and assessment as provided in such sections, to issue bonds, and to do all acts necessary and proper for the carrying out of the purposes for which the district was created and for executing the powers with which it is invested.

In such decree, the court shall designate the place where the office or principal place of business of the district shall be located, which shall be within the corporate limits of the district if practicable, and which may be changed by order of court. The regular meetings of the board of directors of the district shall be held at such office or place of business, but for cause may be adjourned to any other convenient place. The official records and files of the district shall be kept at the office so established.

If the court finds that the property set out in said petition should not be incorporated into a district, it shall dismiss said proceedings, and adjudge the costs against the signers of the petition in the proportion of the interest represented by them.

After an order is entered establishing the district, such order is final and binding upon the real property within the district and finally and conclusively establishes the regular organization of such district against all persons except the state upon suit commenced by the attorney general. Any such suit must be commenced within three months after said decree declaring such district organized. The organization of said district shall not be directly or collaterally questioned in any suit, action, or proceeding except as expressly authorized in sections 6115.01 to 6115.79, inclusive, of the Revised Code.

In the case of a district lying in more than one county, one judge of the court of common pleas of each of the counties having land in the district shall sit as a court in the courthouse where the original petition was filed to make the findings required by this section and by section 6115.16 of the Revised Code. A majority of said judges shall be necessary to render a decision.

Section 6115.09 | Filing and recording findings and decree of incorporation of district.
 

Within thirty days after the sanitary district has been declared a corporation by the court, the clerk of such court shall transmit to the secretary of state, and to the county recorder in each of the counties having lands in said district, copies of the findings and the decree of the court incorporating said district. The same shall be filed and recorded in the office of the secretary of state in the same manner as articles of incorporation are required to be filed and recorded under the general law concerning corporations. Copies shall also be filed and become permanent records in the office of the recorder of each county in which a part of the district lies. Each recorder shall receive a base fee of one dollar for filing and preserving such copies and a housing trust fund fee of one dollar pursuant to section 317.36 of the Revised Code, and the secretary of state shall receive for filing and for recording said copies such fees as are provided by law for like services in similar cases.

Section 6115.10 | Appointment of directors.
 

Within thirty days after entering the decree incorporating a sanitary district, providing the district is wholly within one county, the court shall appoint one person who shall be a resident elector within the district as a director of the district for a term of five years from the date of the person's appointment. If the district is composed of more than one county or part thereof, each county is entitled to one director who shall be a resident elector of that county. In no event shall there be more than one director for each county. Except as otherwise provided in section 6115.103 of the Revised Code, the court shall fill all vacancies that occur in the office of director. However, the board of directors of a sanitary district organized after October 9, 1981, wholly for the reduction of populations of biting arthropods shall be composed and appointed in accordance with section 6115.101 of the Revised Code, and the board of directors of a sanitary district organized wholly for the purpose of providing a water supply for domestic, municipal, and public use that includes two municipal corporations in two counties shall be composed and appointed in accordance with section 6115.103 of the Revised Code.

Section 6115.101 | Directors of sanitary district organized wholly for reduction of populations of biting arthropods.
 

The board of directors of a sanitary district organized after the effective date of this section wholly for the reduction of populations of biting arthropods shall consist of five members to be appointed by the advisory council of the district, one of whom shall be an employee of a city or general health district. Within sixty days after the court enters the decree incorporating the district, the advisory council shall make the initial appointments to the board of directors. Of the initial appointments to the board, one shall be for a term ending one year after the date upon which the court entered the decree, one shall be for a term ending two years after that date, one shall be for a term ending three years after that date, one shall be for a term ending four years after that date, and one shall be for a term ending five years after that date. Thereafter, terms of office shall be for five years, each term ending on the same day of the same month of the year as the term which it succeeds. Each member of the board shall hold office from the date of his appointment until the end of the term for which he was appointed. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which his predecessor was appointed shall hold office for the remainder of that term. Any member shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of his term until his successor takes office, or until a period of sixty days has elapsed, whichever occurs first. Members of the board shall be residents of the sanitary district.

Section 6115.102 | Sanitary district advisory council for sanitary district organized wholly for reduction of populations of biting arthropods.
 

(A) With respect to sanitary districts organized after the effective date of this section wholly for the reduction of populations of biting arthropods, there shall be appointed, within thirty days after the court enters the decree incorporating the district, a sanitary district advisory council. The council shall consist of one member to be appointed from each municipal corporation, county, township, city health district, or general health district located wholly or partly within the sanitary district. A member of the council representing a municipal corporation, county, or township shall be appointed by the governing body thereof and shall be a resident thereof. A council member representing a city or general health district shall be appointed by the board of health thereof and shall be a resident of the health district. Appointments to the council shall be made by resolution of the appointing authority. Within ten days after making an appointment to the council, the appointing authority shall submit an authenticated copy of the appointment resolution to the clerk of the court.

(B) If the court, in its order confirming the report of the board of appraisers of a sanitary district organized after the effective date of this section wholly for the reduction of populations of biting arthropods, directs that additional territory be included within the district and if the inclusion of the additional territory results in the inclusion of all or a portion of the territory of a municipal corporation, county, township, or city or general health district not represented on the advisory council prior to the inclusion, the governing body of the municipal corporation, county, township, or health district shall, within thirty days after the court enters its order confirming the report of the board of appraisers, appoint a representative to the council. If the court, in its order, directs that certain territory be eliminated from the district and if the exclusion results in the exclusion of all of the territory of a municipal corporation, county, township, or city or general health district previously included within a sanitary district, the member of the advisory council representing the municipal corporation, county, township, or health district shall be removed from the board on the date upon which the court enters the order confirming the report of the board of appraisers.

(C) If two or more sanitary districts organized wholly for the reduction of populations of biting arthropods are united under section 6115.68 of the Revised Code, the advisory councils of the original districts shall cease to exist on the effective date of the union and an advisory council of the united district shall be appointed in the manner prescribed in division (A) of this section. If the court, in accordance with section 6115.68 of the Revised Code, directs that one or more sanitary districts organized wholly for the reduction of populations of biting arthropods be included within another such district and the inclusion results in the addition of all or a portion of a municipal corporation, county, township, or city or general health district not represented on the council of the district prior to the inclusion, the governing body of each municipal corporation, county, township, or health district not so represented shall, within thirty days after the court directs the inclusion, appoint a representative to the council of the original district. If the original district was organized prior to the effective date of this section, an advisory council shall be appointed within the original district and all the territory included by the court within the original district, in the manner prescribed in this section for the appointment of advisory councils.

(D) A majority of the council constitutes a quorum, and a concurrence of the majority in any matter within the council's duties is sufficient for its determination. The council shall appoint one of its members as chairman and one member as secretary. The council shall adopt bylaws governing its proceedings. The council shall meet at least once annually and shall meet upon the call of its chairman, the president of the board of directors of the district, or whenever a majority of the members of the council, by petition filed with the chairman of the council, requests a meeting of the council. The chairman shall call a meeting of the council within thirty days after the receipt of the petition.

(E) The council shall:

(1) Make appointments to the board of directors in accordance with section 6115.101 of the Revised Code;

(2) Annually review and evaluate the receipts and disbursements of funds by the board of directors during the preceding calendar year;

(3) Review, evaluate, and make recommendations to the board of directors regarding the operation, policies, programs, and improvements of the district.

Last updated October 21, 2022 at 4:22 PM

Section 6115.103 | Directors of sanitary district organized wholly for purpose of providing water supply.
 

(A) The board of directors of a sanitary district organized wholly for the purpose of providing a water supply for domestic, municipal, and public use that includes two municipal corporations in two counties shall be appointed as follows:

(1) One member shall be appointed by the chief executive officer of one of the municipal corporations included in the district;

(2) One member shall be appointed by the chief executive officer of the other municipal corporation included in the district;

(3) One member shall be appointed by the legislative authority of one of the municipal corporations included in the district;

(4) One member shall be appointed by the legislative authority of the other municipal corporation included in the district.

A person appointed by the chief executive officer and legislative authority of a municipal corporation shall be a resident of that municipal corporation.

(B) The initial terms of the members of the board of directors appointed under this section shall be as follows:

(1) In the case of the member appointed by the chief executive officer of the more populous municipal corporation included in the district, one year from the date of the member's appointment;

(2) In the case of the member appointed by the chief executive officer of the less populous municipal corporation included in the district, two years from the date of the member's appointment;

(3) In the case of the member appointed by the legislative authority of the more populous municipal corporation included in the district, two years from the date of the member's appointment;

(4) In the case of the member appointed by the legislative authority of the less populous municipal corporation included in the district, three years from the date of the member's appointment.

Thereafter, terms of office of all members of the board shall be three years. Each member of the board appointed under this section shall hold office from the date of appointment until the end of the term for which the member was appointed. A vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. A member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration date of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall hold office for the remainder of that term. A member shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of the member's term until the member's successor takes office or a period of sixty days elapses, whichever occurs first. A member of the board appointed under this section may be reappointed. A member of the board may be removed for cause by the appointing authority that originally appointed the member.

(C) The appointing authorities designated in division (A) of this section shall appoint a new board within each sanitary district organized wholly for the purpose of providing a water supply for domestic, municipal, and public use that includes two municipal corporations in two counties. The appointing authorities shall make their appointments within sixty days of the effective date of this section. The offices of the members of the board of such a district existing prior to the effective date of this section are abolished upon the appointment of the new members of the board as required by this division.

(D) The appointing authorities specified under division (A) of this section shall accept and consider all applications submitted by persons eligible to be appointed under division (A) of this section.

Section 6115.104 | Sanitary district advisory council for sanitary district organized wholly for purpose of providing water supply.
 

(A) With respect to a sanitary district organized wholly for the purpose of providing a water supply for domestic, municipal, and public use that includes two municipal corporations in two counties, there shall be appointed, within sixty days of the effective date of this section, a sanitary district advisory council. The council shall consist of one member who uses water supplied directly or indirectly by the district to be appointed from each municipal corporation or township that receives all or part of its water supply directly or indirectly from the district. Appointments to the council shall be made by resolution of the legislative authority of the municipal corporation or the township, as appropriate. Within ten days after making an appointment to the council, the appointing authority shall submit an authenticated copy of the appointment resolution to the board of directors of the sanitary district and to the clerk of the court.

(B) If a municipal corporation or township that, prior to the effective date of this section, did not receive any of its water supply from a sanitary district described in division (A) of this section begins to receive all or part of its water supply either directly or indirectly from such a district and the municipal corporation or township is not represented on the advisory council of that district, the legislative authority of the municipal corporation or township, within sixty days after it begins receiving all or part of its water supply from the district, shall appoint a representative to the council and make the submittals as provided in division (A) of this section. If a municipal corporation or township that, on the effective date of this section, receives all or part of its water supply from such a district ceases to receive any of its water supply either directly or indirectly from the district, the member on the advisory council representing that municipal corporation or township shall no longer serve on the council.

(C) A majority of the council constitutes a quorum, and a concurrence of the majority in any matter within the council's duties is sufficient for its determination. The council shall appoint one of its members as chairperson and one member as secretary. The council shall adopt bylaws governing its proceedings. The council shall meet at least once annually and shall meet upon the call of its chairperson or of the president of the board of directors of the district, or whenever a majority of the members of the council, by petition filed with the chairperson of the council, requests a meeting of the council. The chairperson shall call a meeting of the council within thirty days after the receipt of the petition.

(D) The council shall do both of the following:

(1) Annually review and evaluate the receipts and disbursements of funds by the board of directors during the preceding calendar year;

(2) Review, evaluate, and make recommendations to the board of directors regarding the operation, policies, programs, and improvements of the district. The board shall consider all recommendations made under division (D)(2) of this section.

Section 6115.11 | Oath, bond of director.
 

Each director of a sanitary district, before entering upon his official duties, shall take and subscribe to an oath before an officer authorized to administer oaths that he will honestly, faithfully, and impartially perform the duties of his office, and that he will not be interested directly or indirectly in any contract let for the purpose of carrying out sections 6115.01 to 6115.79, inclusive, of the Revised Code. Said oath shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the court of common pleas of the county from which the director was appointed.

Each director shall give a good and sufficient bond for the faithful and honest performance of his duties.

Section 6115.12 | Seal - records - transcripts of meetings.
 

(A) The director or board of directors of a sanitary district shall adopt a seal and shall keep in a well-bound book a record of all proceedings, minutes of all meetings, certificates, contracts, bonds given by employees, and corporate acts. The book shall be open to the inspection of all owners of property in the district and to all other interested parties.

(B) In addition to the requirements established in section 121.22 of the Revised Code, any court of jurisdiction meeting pursuant to section 6115.10 of the Revised Code in regard to the appointment, removal, or reappointment of a member of the board of directors of a sanitary district organized wholly for the purpose of providing a water supply for domestic, municipal, and public use or meeting for any other matter regarding such a district other than litigation involving the district shall keep a written transcript of the meeting and shall make the transcript available to the public upon request.

Section 6115.13 | President of board - temporary director - quorum.
 

Upon taking the oath of office, the board of directors of a sanitary district shall choose one of its members as president of the board.

If a district, other than a district organized after the effective date of this amendment wholly for the reduction of populations of biting arthropods, is composed of an even number of counties or parts thereof and the board finds itself unable to agree on any question pertaining to or in connection with its operation or management of that district, at the request of any director another person from within or without the district shall be appointed director temporarily by the court. The temporary director shall serve as a member of the board until the question in dispute has been satisfactorily adjusted. Compensation for the temporary director shall be fixed by the appointing court.

A majority of the board constitutes a quorum, and a concurrence of the majority in any matter within the board's duties is sufficient for its determination. All actions by the board shall be by resolution.

Section 6115.14 | Secretary - executive director - chief engineer - treasurer - attorney - employees.
 

Upon taking the oath of office, the director or board of directors of a sanitary district shall select some suitable person as secretary. The secretary selected by the board may or may not be a member of the board. The secretary shall be the custodian of the records of the district and of its corporate seal and shall assist the board in such particulars as it directs in the performance of its duties. The secretary shall attest, under the corporate seal of the district, all certified copies of the official records and files of the district that are required of him by sections 6115.01 to 6115.79 of the Revised Code, or by any person ordering such copies and paying the reasonable cost of transcription. Any portion of a record so certified and attested prima facie imports verity. The secretary shall serve also as treasurer of the district, unless a treasurer is otherwise provided for by the board. The treasurer shall be the fiscal officer of the district.

The board may employ an executive director; a chief engineer who may be an individual, partnership, or corporation; an attorney; and such other engineers, attorneys, agents, and assistants as are needed, and may provide for their compensation, maintain, furnish, and equip offices, and purchase such office supplies, equipment, apparatus, appliances, instruments, and tools as are necessary, which, with all other necessary expenditures, shall be taken as a part of the cost of the improvement.

The employment of the executive director, secretary, treasurer, chief engineer, and attorney for the district shall be evidenced by agreements in writing, which, so far as possible, shall specify the amounts to be paid for their services.

The executive director shall perform such duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors, including the execution on behalf of the board of such contracts and agreements as may be authorized by resolution of the board, and may be the secretary of the board if the board appoints a treasurer who is not the secretary of the board.

The chief engineer shall be superintendent of all the works and improvements, and shall make a full report to the board and the executive director each year, or more often if required, and may make such suggestions and recommendations to the board as he deems proper.

Section 6115.141 | Certificate of available funds.
 

The prohibition and requirements established under division (D) of section 5705.41 of the Revised Code, other than those applicable solely to counties, apply to a sanitary district established under this chapter.

Section 6115.15 | Plans for sewage or other liquid waste or treatment or disposal works submitted to board.
 

If a sanitary district is established for purposes other than the provision of a water supply for domestic, municipal, and public use, or for the reduction of populations of biting arthropods, after the establishment of the district and the organization of the board of directors of the district no public corporation or person shall install within the district any outlet for discharge of sewage or other liquid waste or any treatment or disposal works until the plans therefor have been submitted to and have received the approval of the board.

Section 6115.16 | Improvement plan approval and execution.
 

Upon its qualification, the board of directors of a sanitary district shall prepare a plan for the improvement for which the district was created. The plan shall include such maps, profiles, plans, and other data and descriptions as are necessary to set forth properly the location and character of the work, and of the property benefited or taken or damaged, with estimates of cost. In the case of a district organized wholly or partly for the reduction of populations of biting arthropods, the plan is sufficient if it includes a description, in general terms, of the methods of reducing such populations to be utilized, and it shall not be necessary to indicate in the plan the particular parcels of land in the district where the physical structures, devices, or improvements incident to the reduction of such populations are to be constructed or where the labor incident to the reduction of biting arthropod populations will be employed.

In the preparation of the plan, the board may recognize the necessity of future extensions and enlargements that may result from enlargements of the area of the district, in order that the district improvements may be designed to meet properly the increased demands. The plan for a water supply for domestic, municipal, and public use shall be prepared with recognition of an equitable apportionment of the available supply to each political subdivision within the district. If the purposes for which the district was established include both improved sanitation and improved water supply a plan shall be prepared for each purpose.

If the board finds that any former survey made by any other district or in any other manner is useful for the purposes of the district, the board may take over the data secured by such survey, or such other proceedings as is useful to it, and may pay therefor an amount equal to the value of such data to the district.

Upon the completion of the plan, the board shall submit it to the environmental protection agency for approval. In deciding whether to approve or reject the plan, the agency shall consider, among other factors, the protection of the public health, and compliance with air and water quality standards and regulations and solid waste disposal requirements. If the agency rejects the plan, the board shall proceed as in the first instance under this section to prepare another plan. If the agency refers the plan to the board for amendment, the board shall prepare and submit an amended plan to the agency. If the agency approves the plan, a copy of the action of the agency shall be filed with the secretary of the district and by him incorporated into the records of the district.

Upon the approval of the plan by the agency, the board shall cause notice by publication to be given in each county of the district of the completion of the plan, and shall permit the inspection of the plan at its office by all persons interested. The notice shall fix the time and place for the hearing of all objections to the plan which shall be not less than twenty nor more than thirty days after the last publication of the notice. All objections to the plan shall be in writing and filed with the secretary at his office not more than ten days after the last publication of the notice. After the hearing before the board, the board shall adopt the plan as the official plan of the district. If any persons object to the official plan, so adopted, then those persons may, within ten days from the adoption of the official plan, file their objections in writing, specifying the features of the plan to which they object, in the original case establishing the district in the office of the clerk of the court, who shall fix a day for the hearing of the objections before the court which shall be not less than twenty nor more than thirty days after the time fixed for filing objections, at which time the judges, sitting as a court as provided in section 6115.08 of the Revised Code for the organization of the district, shall meet at the courthouse of the county where the original case is pending and hear the objections and adopt, reject, or refer back the plan to the board. A majority of the judges shall control. If the court rejects the plan, the board shall proceed as in the first instance under this section to prepare another plan. If the court refers the plan to the board for amendment, then the court shall continue the hearing to a day certain without publication of notice. If the court approves the plan as the official plan of the district, a certified copy of the journal of the court shall be filed with the secretary, and by him incorporated into the records of the district.

The official plan may be altered in detail until the assessment roll is filed, and of all the alterations the board of appraisers of the sanitary district shall take notice. After the assessment roll has been filed in court, no alterations of the official plan shall be made except as provided in section 6115.40 of the Revised Code.

The board of directors of a sanitary district shall have full power and authority to devise, prepare for, execute, maintain, and operate all works or improvements necessary or desirable to complete, maintain, operate, and protect the official plan. It may secure and use men and equipment under the supervision of the chief engineer or other agents, or it may let contracts for such works, either as a whole or in parts.

Section 6115.17 | Right of entry for surveys and examinations.
 

(A) The board of directors of any sanitary district, or its employees or agents, including contractors and their employees, and the board of appraisers of the sanitary district and its assistants, may enter upon lands within or without the district to make surveys and examinations to accomplish the necessary preliminary purposes of the district, or to have access to the work. They shall be liable, however, for actual damage done, but no unnecessary damage shall be done. In the case of a district organized wholly or partly for the reduction of populations of biting arthropods, the board of directors or its employees or agents may enter upon any lands within the district and inspect them to ascertain whether the owner, tenant, agent, or other person having charge of the lands is complying with the regulations of the board of directors pertaining to the prevention and elimination of stagnant water or other breeding places for biting arthropods.

(B) No person or corporation shall prevent any entrance upon lands authorized by division (A) of this section. Whoever violates this section shall be subject to a writ of injunction issued upon application of the board of directors by a court of proper jurisdiction.

Section 6115.18 | Powers and duties of board of directors.
 

The powers of the board of directors of a sanitary district do not include construction and maintenance of lateral sewers, sewerage systems, water mains, and distributing systems or other related improvements for local service within the political subdivisions forming the district, and such improvements shall in every case be provided by the public corporations or persons served by the works of the district. The powers of the board are limited to the construction and maintenance of such works as are necessary to carry out the purposes of the district in improvement of sanitation and water supply as set forth in section 6115.04 of the Revised Code. Sections 6115.01 to 6115.79, inclusive, of the Revised Code do not limit or interfere with the right of public corporations to install, maintain, and operate sewerage systems and water-works systems as otherwise permitted by law. Such sections do give to the board full power and authority in the construction and maintenance of improvements for the purposes of the district to serve the area included within the district, and the board may require the use of the improvements of the district by public corporations and persons included within the district and for which such improvements were installed.

In order to effect the proper collection and disposal of sewage and other liquid wastes produced within the district, to provide a water supply for domestic, municipal, and public use within the district, to promote the public health, comfort, convenience, and welfare, and to accomplish all other purposes of the district, the board may:

(A) Clean out, straighten, alter, deepen, or otherwise improve any stream, watercourse, or body of water receiving sewage or other liquid wastes and located in or out of said district;

(B) Fill up any abandoned or altered stream, watercourse, or body of water located in or out of said district;

(C) Construct, preserve, operate, and maintain, in or out of said district, trunk sewers, intercepting sewers, siphons, pumping stations, wells, intakes, pipe lines, purification works, treatment and disposal works, reservoirs, and any other works and improvements deemed necessary to accomplish the purposes of the district;

(D) Construct connections to the works of the district for the delivery thereto of sewage and other liquid wastes;

(E) Construct connections for the delivery of a water supply from the works of the district to public corporations and persons within the district;

(F) Incorporate with the works of the district or otherwise utilize any public sewers, drains, or other sewerage and water supply improvements either without modification or with such repairs, modifications, or changes as are deemed necessary;

(G) Construct any of said works and improvements across or through any public or private property in or out of said district;

(H) Hold, encumber, control, acquire by donation, purchase, or condemnation, construct, own, lease, use, and sell any real or personal property or easement necessary for right of way or location for the works and improvements of the district, or for any necessary purpose, or for obtaining or storing material to be used in constructing and maintaining said works and improvements.

Section 6115.19 | Improvement plan for district organized to provide water supply.
 

In case a sanitary district or subdistrict is organized for the purpose of providing a water supply for domestic, municipal, and public use within such district or subdistrict, the board of directors of the sanitary district shall proceed to prepare a plan for the improvement. The proceedings in reference to the improvement shall in all matters conform to this chapter; except that in the issuance of bonds, in the levying of assessments or taxes, and in all other matters affecting only the improvements of the district for water supply for domestic, municipal, and public use all proceedings and records thereof shall be kept separate from and shall not be amalgamated with the proceedings and records of the district in case it is also organized for other purposes, and no maintenance assessments shall be levied upon the property of the district for the purpose of maintaining a water supply for domestic, municipal, and public use and the maintenance fund for such purpose shall be obtained from the sale of water to public corporations and persons within the district.

The board shall determine reasonable rates of compensation for such water, and may require bond to be given to secure the payment for such use. Upon the determination of any rate, the board shall make a report of its determination to the court. The court shall thereupon cause personal notice by summons to be given to the parties interested, stating that such a determination of rate has been made, that a hearing before the court will be had thereon on a certain day, and that objection may be made at such time to such determination. A hearing may be had before the court, and objections may be made in the same manner as in case of the appraisal of benefits. Upon the final determination of the matter by the court, the determination of such rate of compensation shall be conclusive and binding for the term and under the conditions specified in the lease or other agreement. If any user fails to pay for the use of the water in the manner specified by order of the court, the board may compel payment and may enjoin further use until such payment is made. The rights under any lease or sale shall not extend to a change of use or of place, time, or manner of use, except insofar as is specifically stated in the lease or other agreement. The compensation for the use of water furnished by the district may be made by payment according to a unit price per cubic foot of water used or in any other reasonable measurement of value received.

Section 6115.191 | Assessing interest on unpaid balance of water supply payments.
 

If a municipal corporation, township, or other member or customer of a sanitary district organized wholly for the purpose of providing a water supply for domestic, municipal, and public use that includes two municipal corporations in two counties is delinquent in paying any moneys owed to the sanitary district for the supply of water from the district, the board of directors of the sanitary district may assess interest on the unpaid balance that reflects administrative and financial costs incurred by the sanitary district as a result of the delinquency.

Section 6115.20 | Contract bidding procedures.
 

(A) When it is determined to let the work relating to the improvements for which a sanitary district was established by contract, contracts in amounts to exceed fifty thousand dollars shall be advertised after notice calling for bids has been published once a week for five consecutive weeks completed on the date of last publication or as provided in section 7.16 of the Revised Code, in a newspaper of general circulation within the sanitary district where the work is to be done. The board of directors of the sanitary district shall let bids as provided in this section or, if applicable, section 9.312 of the Revised Code. If the bids are for a contract for the construction, demolition, alteration, repair, or reconstruction of an improvement, the board of directors of the sanitary district shall let the contract to the lowest or best bidder who meets the requirements of section 153.54 of the Revised Code. If the bids are for a contract for any other work relating to the improvements for which a sanitary district was established, the board of directors of the sanitary district shall let the contract to the lowest or best bidder who gives a good and approved bond, with ample security, conditioned on the carrying out of the contract and the payment for all labor and material. The contract shall be in writing and shall be accompanied by or shall refer to plans and specifications for the work to be done prepared by the chief engineer. The plans and specifications at all times shall be made and considered a part of the contract. The contract shall be approved by the board and signed by the president of the board and by the contractor and shall be executed in duplicate. In case of emergency the advertising of contracts may be waived upon the consent of the board with the approval of the court or judge in vacation.

(B) In the case of a sanitary district organized wholly for the purpose of providing a water supply for domestic, municipal, and public use that includes two municipal corporations in two counties, any service to be purchased, including the services of an accountant, architect, attorney at law, physician, or professional engineer, at a cost in excess of fifty thousand dollars shall be obtained in the manner provided in sections 153.65 to 153.73 of the Revised Code. For the purposes of the application of those sections to division (B) of this section, all of the following apply:

(1) "Public authority," as used in those sections, shall be deemed to mean a sanitary district organized wholly for the purpose of providing a water supply for domestic, municipal, and public use that includes two municipal corporations in two counties;

(2) "Professional design firm," as used in those sections, shall be deemed to mean any person legally engaged in rendering professional design services as defined in division (B)(3) of this section;

(3) "Professional design services," as used in those sections, shall be deemed to mean accounting, architectural, legal, medical, or professional engineering services;

(4) The use of other terms in those sections shall be adapted accordingly, including, without limitation, for the purposes of division (D) of section 153.67 of the Revised Code;

(5) Division (B) of section 153.71 of the Revised Code does not apply.

(C) The board of directors of a district organized wholly for the purpose of providing a water supply for domestic, municipal, and public use may contract for, purchase, or otherwise procure for the benefit of employees of the district and pay all or any part of the cost of group insurance policies that may provide benefits, including, but not limited to, hospitalization, surgical care, major medical care, disability, dental care, vision care, medical care, hearing aids, or prescription drugs. Any group insurance policy purchased under this division shall be purchased from the health care corporation that the board of directors determines offers the most cost-effective group insurance policy.

Last updated July 6, 2022 at 9:19 AM

Section 6115.201 | Sanitary district contract requirements.
 

Notwithstanding section 6115.20 of the Revised Code, the board of directors of a sanitary district may comply with section 9.29 of the Revised Code regarding any contract for the engineering, repair, sustainability, water quality management, and maintenance of a water storage tank and appurtenant facilities.

Section 6115.21 | Dominant right of eminent domain.
 

The board of directors of a sanitary district, when it is necessary for the purposes of sections 6115.01 to 6115.79 of the Revised Code, shall have a dominant right of eminent domain over the right of eminent domain of railroad, telephone, gas, water power, and other companies and corporations, and over townships, counties, and municipal corporations.

In the exercise of this right due care shall be taken to do no unnecessary damage to other public utilities, and, in case of failure to agree upon the mode and terms of interference, not to interfere with their operation or usefulness beyond the actual necessities of the case, due regard being paid to the other public interests involved.

Section 6115.22 | Condemnation of land or property.
 

The board of directors of a sanitary district may condemn for the use of the district, any land or property within or without said district not acquired or condemned by the court on the report of the board of appraisers of the sanitary district, according to the procedure provided by sections 163.01 to 163.22, inclusive, of the Revised Code, instead of having appraisals and assessments made by the board of appraisers.

Section 6115.221 | Appropriation of property for sewer construction to address public health nuisance.
 

(A) For the purposes of this section, either of the following constitutes a public exigency:

(1) A finding by the director of environmental protection that a public health nuisance caused by an occasion of unavoidable urgency and suddenness due to unsanitary conditions compels the immediate construction of sewers for the protection of the public health and welfare;

(2) The issuance of an order by the board of health of a health district to mitigate or abate a public health nuisance that is caused by an occasion of unavoidable urgency and suddenness due to unsanitary conditions and compels the immediate construction of sewers for the protection of the public health and welfare.

(B) If the board of directors of a sanitary district is unable to purchase property for the purpose of the construction of sewers to mitigate or abate the public health nuisance that is the subject of a finding of the director or an order of the board of health, the board of directors may adopt a resolution finding that it is necessary for the protection of the public health and welfare to appropriate property that the board of directors considers needed for that purpose. The resolution shall contain a definite, accurate, and detailed description of the property and the name and place of residence, if known or with reasonable diligence ascertainable, of the owners of the property to be appropriated.

The board of directors shall fix in its resolution what it considers to be the value of the property to be appropriated, which shall be the board's determination of the compensation for the property and shall be supported by an independent appraisal, together with any damages to the residue. The board shall deposit the compensation so determined, together with an amount for the damages to the residue, with the probate court or the court of common pleas of the county in which the property, or a part of it, is situated. Except as otherwise provided in this division, the power to appropriate property for the purposes of this division shall be exercised in the manner provided in sections 163.01 to 163.22 of the Revised Code for an appropriation in time of public exigency. The board's resolution and a written copy of the independent appraisal shall accompany the petition filed under section 163.05 of the Revised Code.

Section 6115.23 | Regulations, approval and enforcement.
 

The board of directors of a sanitary district may make and enforce necessary regulations pertaining to the use by public corporations and persons of the works and improvements of the district, and by such regulations the board may:

(A) Prescribe the design, construction, and use of sewers within the district;

(B) Prescribe the manner in which connections to trunk sewers, intercepting sewers, pipe lines, and other works of the district shall be made;

(C) Prescribe the permissible uses of the water supply of the district and the manner of its distribution;

(D) Prevent the pollution or unnecessary waste of the water supply;

(E) Prohibit discharge into such sewers of any liquid or solid wastes deemed detrimental to the works and improvements of the district.

Such regulations shall have no effect until they have been approved by the environmental protection agency. The board may recover by civil action from any person or public corporation violating such regulations, for each offense, not less than five hundred nor more than one thousand dollars together with costs. The board may enforce by mandamus or otherwise all necessary regulations made by it and authorized by sections 6115.01 to 6115.79 of the Revised Code, and may remove any improper construction or close any connection made improperly or in violation of said regulations, and may bring such suits in mandamus in the court of appeals in the first instance, if it deems it advisable. Any public corporation or person who willfully fails to comply with such regulations shall be liable for damages caused by such failure and for the cost of renewing any construction damaged or destroyed.

Section 6115.24 | Regulations for sanitary district organized wholly for reduction of populations of biting arthropods.
 

In the case of a sanitary district established wholly or partly for reducing populations of biting arthropods, the board of directors of the sanitary district may make and enforce regulations pertaining to the prevention and elimination of stagnant water or other breeding places for biting arthropods in the district. The regulations may, among other things, prohibit the owner, tenant, agent, or other person having charge of any land in the district from constructing or maintaining thereon any pond or pool, either natural or artificial, or any other receptacle of water, portable or otherwise, under conditions which may cause any such land, or anything situated thereon, to become a breeding place for biting arthropods.

No owner, tenant, agent, or other person having charge of any land, in the district, after five days' written notice of a regulation and any violation thereof, shall fail to comply with the regulation. Each day's violation of the regulation, after notice thereof, is a separate offense. The board, or any of its agents or employees, shall give the written notice of the regulation and its violation to such owner, tenant, agent, or other person, either by personally delivering a copy of the notice to such owner, tenant, agent, or other person, or by posting a copy of the notice for not less than five days in a conspicuous place on the land whereon the violation of the regulation exists. The notice shall set forth a copy of the regulation and also a description of the land whereon the violation exists.

If the owner, tenant, agent, or other person having charge of any land in the district, after the notice provided for in this section has been given, fails to comply with the regulation, the board, in addition to or without regard to enforcing the penalty provided for in division (B) of section 6115.99 of the Revised Code, may, through its agents and employees, enter upon the land whereon the violation of the regulation exists and abate the conditions existing thereon which constitute the violation. A written statement describing the land and setting forth the total amount of all expense incurred by the board in abating such conditions shall then be filed with the county auditor, and that amount shall be entered upon the tax duplicate by the auditor and be a lien upon the land from and after the date of the entry, and shall be collected by the county treasurer as other assessments. The amount, when so collected, shall be paid by the county treasurer to the treasurer of the sanitary district.

Section 6115.25 | Removal of physical obstructions in, over, or upon public streets, lanes, alleys, or highways.
 

All public corporations or persons having buildings, structures, works, conduits, mains, pipes, tracks, or other physical obstructions in, over, or upon the public streets, lanes, alleys, or highways, which interfere with or impede the progress of construction, maintenance, or repair of the works of a sanitary district shall upon reasonable notice from the board of directors of the sanitary district promptly shift, adjust, accommodate, or remove such obstructions so as to fully meet the exigencies occasioning such action. Upon failure of any public corporation or person to make such changes the board may do so. Unless otherwise mutually agreed to, the cost and expense of such changes shall be met by the district.

Section 6115.26 | Surveys and examinations of rainfall, stream flow.
 

The board of directors of a sanitary district may establish and maintain stream gauges and rain gauges, and may make such surveys and examinations of rainfall, stream flow, and other scientific and engineering subjects as are necessary and proper for the purposes of the district. The board may issue reports of its findings.

Section 6115.27 | Cooperation or assistance by U.S. government or other governmental entity.
 

The board of directors of a sanitary district may enter into contracts or other arrangements with the United States government or any department thereof, with persons, railroads, or other corporations, with public corporations, and with the state government of this or other states, with sewerage, drainage, conservation, conservancy, or other improvement districts, in this or other states, for cooperation or assistance in constructing, maintaining, using, operating, and financing the works of the district or the waters thereof, not in violation of Article VIII, Ohio Constitution, or for making surveys and investigations or reports thereon. The board may purchase, lease, or acquire land or other property in adjoining states to secure outlets or for other purposes of this chapter, and may let contracts or spend money for securing such outlets or other works in adjoining states.

Section 6115.28 | Taking or damage to cemetery.
 

Whenever it is necessary for the purposes of a sanitary district to take or damage any cemetery, the board of appraisers of the sanitary district shall appraise the cost of such taking or easement in the same manner as appraisals are made for other property.

The board of directors of the sanitary district shall have the same powers in case of the removal of a cemetery to agree with the authorities owning or controlling said cemetery in the same manner that a board of township trustees is authorized by section 517.21 of the Revised Code. In case of agreement, the board of directors may purchase the necessary land, and remove or contract for the removal of those buried, together with all monuments. The board of directors may also contract for an easement therein if removal is not desired.

If condemnation proceedings are necessary, they shall be instituted and conducted according to sections 163.01 to 163.22, inclusive, of the Revised Code.

Section 6115.29 | Board of appraisers of sanitary district.
 

At the time of making its order organizing a sanitary district or at any suitable time thereafter, the court shall appoint three appraisers to constitute the board of appraisers of the sanitary district, who shall in every case where appraisers are appointed under sections 6115.01 to 6115.79 of the Revised Code, be recommended by the board of directors of the sanitary district. The board of appraisers shall appraise the lands or other property within and without the district to be acquired for rights of way, reservoirs, and other works of the district, and shall appraise all benefits and damages accruing to all lands within or without the district by reason of the execution of the official plan. The appraisers shall be freeholders residing within the state, who may or may not own lands within the district. No two of the appraisers shall be residents of the same county, except that in the case of a district organized wholly for the reduction of populations of biting arthropods, all the appraisers may be residents of the same county. Each of the appraisers shall, before taking up his duties, take and subscribe to an oath that he will faithfully and impartially discharge his duties as an appraiser, and that he will make a true report of the work done by him. The appraisers shall at their first meeting elect one of their own number chairman, and the secretary of the sanitary district or his deputy shall be ex officio secretary of the board of appraisers during its continuance in office. A majority of the board of appraisers constitutes a quorum, and a concurrence of the majority in any matter within the board's duties shall be sufficient for its determination. The appraisers shall continue to hold their offices until excused by the court, and the court shall fill all vacancies in the board of appraisers, or may appoint a new board of appraisers for subsequent appraisals, as occasion requires. A new board of appraisers, if appointed, shall fill all the requirements of the board of appraisers and perform its duties.

Section 6115.30 | Appraisals of compensation and damages.
 

During the preparation of the official plan, the board of appraisers of a sanitary district shall examine and become acquainted with the nature of plans for the improvement and of the lands and other property affected thereby, in order that it may be better prepared to make appraisals.

When the official plan is filed with the secretary of the sanitary district, he shall at once notify the board of appraisers, and it shall thereupon appraise the benefits of every kind to all real property or other property within the district, which will result from the organization of the district and the execution of the official plan. The board of appraisers shall appraise the damages sustained and the value of the land and other property necessary to be taken by the district for which settlement has not been made by the board of directors of the sanitary district. In the progress of its work, the board of appraisers shall have the assistance of the attorney, engineers, secretary, and other agents and employees of the board of directors.

The board of appraisers shall also appraise the benefits and damages accruing to municipal corporations, counties, townships, and other public corporations, as political entities, and to this state.

Before appraisals of compensation and damages are made, the board of directors may report to the board of appraisers the parcels of land or other property it wishes to purchase, and for which it wishes appraisals to be made, both for easement and for purchase in fee simple. The board of directors may, if it deems best, specify in case of any property the particular purpose for which and the extent to which an easement in the same is desired, describing definitely such purpose and extent. The board of appraisers shall appraise all damages which may, because of the execution of the official plan, accrue to real or other property within the district, which damages shall also represent easements acquired by the district for all of the purposes of the district, unless otherwise specifically stated. Wherever instructed to do so by the board of directors, the board of appraisers shall appraise lands or other property, within or without the district, which it is necessary or desirable for the district to own, and when instructed by the board of directors to do so, the board of appraisers shall appraise both the total value of the land, and also the damages due to an easement for the purposes of the district. When such appraisals are confirmed by the court, the board of directors has the option of paying the entire appraised value of the property and acquiring full title to it in fee simple, or of paying only the costs of such easement for the purposes of the district. The board of appraisers in appraising benefits and damages shall consider only the effect of the execution of the official plan. The board of appraisers may give consideration to benefits resulting from improved sewage and sewage disposal, improved water supply for domestic, municipal, and public use, improved conditions affecting health, comfort, convenience, and welfare, and other benefits deemed proper to recognize. In making appraisals, the board of appraisers shall give due consideration and credit to any other works or systems already constructed, or under construction, which form a useful part of the work of the district according to the official plan. Where the board of appraisers returns no appraisal of damages to any property, it shall be deemed a finding by such board of appraisers that no damages will be sustained.

Section 6115.31 | Appraisals of compensation and damages beyond the boundaries of district.
 

If the board of appraisers of a sanitary district finds that lands or other property not embraced within the boundaries of the district will be affected by the proposed improvement, or should be included in the district, it shall appraise the benefits and damages to such land or other property, and shall file notice in the court of the appraisal which it has made upon the lands or other property beyond the boundaries of the district, and to the land or other property which in its opinion should be included in the district. The board shall also report to the court any lands or other property which in its opinion should be eliminated from the district.

Section 6115.32 | Notice of hearing of land to be included or excluded from district.
 

If the report of the board of appraisers of a sanitary district includes recommendations that other lands be included in the district, or that certain lands be excluded from the district, the clerk of the court before which the proceeding is pending shall give notice to the owners of such property by publication to be made as provided for a hearing on the petition for the creation of the district. Such notice to those owners whose lands are to be added to the district may be substantially as shown in division (D) of section 6115.79 of the Revised Code. The time and place of the hearing may be the same as those of the hearing on appraisals. To the owners of property to be excluded from the district it will be sufficient to notify them of that fact.

Section 6115.321 | Exclusion of territory from sanitary district established for the reduction of biting arthropods.
 

(A) The legislative authority of a municipal corporation or the board of township trustees of a township all or part of whose territory is included within the territory of a sanitary district that is established solely for the reduction of biting arthropods pursuant to division (F) of section 6115.04 of the Revised Code may enact an ordinance or adopt a resolution, as applicable, approving the submission to the court of common pleas that established the district a petition to exclude from the district the territory of the municipal corporation or the township, as applicable, that is included in the district. If the legislative authority of a municipal corporation or the board of township trustees of a township enacts such an ordinance or adopts such a resolution, as applicable, the legislative authority or the board may submit to the appropriate court of common pleas a petition that requests the court to exclude the territory of the municipal corporation or the township, as applicable, from the district. Such a petition shall include an explanation of the reasons for the petition to exclude the territory of the municipal corporation or the township, as applicable, from the district.

(B) If a court of common pleas receives a petition from the legislative authority of a municipal corporation or a board of township trustees, as applicable, that requests the court to exclude the territory of the municipal corporation or the township from the applicable sanitary district, the clerk of the court shall notify the legislative authority of each municipal corporation and the board of township trustees of each township all or part of whose territory is included within the territorial boundaries of the district of the receipt of the petition, include a copy of the petition, and include a statement informing the legislative authority or the board of township trustees, as applicable, that the legislative authority or the board may submit to the clerk within thirty days of receipt of the notice written objections concerning the petition in the form of an ordinance enacted by the legislative authority or a resolution adopted by the board, as applicable.

(C) Not sooner than thirty days after the clerk of the court of common pleas notifies legislative authorities of municipal corporations and boards of township trustees in accordance with division (B) of this section, one of the following applies:

(1) The court shall enter a decree excluding from the district the territory of the municipal corporation or the township, as applicable, that is the subject of the petition and create a plan as required by division (D) of this section if the court receives written objections concerning the petition of exclusion from fewer than sixty per cent of the legislative authorities of municipal corporations and boards of township trustees of townships that were so notified.

(2) The court after a hearing on the petition may enter a decree excluding from the district the territory of the municipal corporation or the township, as applicable, that is the subject of the petition and create a plan as required by division (D) of this section if the court receives written objections concerning the petition of exclusion from sixty per cent or more of the legislative authorities of municipal corporations and boards of township trustees of townships that were so notified.

(D) If a court of common pleas enters a decree in accordance with division (C) of this section excluding from a sanitary district the territory of a municipal corporation or a township, as applicable, the court shall do both of the following:

(1) Establish a plan for the exclusion from the district of the territory that ensures the payment of expenses and indebtedness of the district, and, if necessary because the exclusion effectively dissolves the district, determine the value of the assets of the district and provide for their equitable distribution among the municipal corporations and townships all or part of whose territory is included within the district;

(2) Send a copy of the court's decree and of the plan established under division (D)(1) of this section to the legislative authority of each municipal corporation and the board of township trustees of each township all or part of whose territory is included within the territory of the district and to the county auditor and treasurer of each applicable county.

Section 6115.33 | Sanitary district appraisal record.
 

The board of appraisers of a sanitary district shall prepare a report of its findings which shall be arranged in tabular form and bound in book form, and which shall be known as the "sanitary district appraisal record." In case the purposes of the district include both improved sanitation and improved water supply, the board shall prepare a separate report for each purpose. Such record shall contain the name of the owner of property appraised as it appears on the tax duplicate or the deed records, a description of the property appraised, the amount of benefits appraised, the amount of damages appraised, and the appraised value of land or other property which may be taken for the purposes of the district. The board shall also report any other benefits or damages or any other matter which in its opinion should be brought to the attention of the court. No error in the names of the owners of real property or in the descriptions thereof shall invalidate said appraisal or the levy of assessments or taxes based thereon, if sufficient description is given to identify such real property.

When such report is completed, it shall be signed by at least a majority of the board and deposited with the clerk of the court who shall file it in the original case. At the same time copies of that part of the report giving the appraisal of benefits and appraisals of land to be taken and of damages in any county shall be made, certified to, and filed with the clerk of the court of common pleas of such county.

Section 6115.34 | Notice of hearing on appraisals.
 

Upon the filing of the report of the board of appraisers of a sanitary district under section 6115.33 of the Revised Code, the clerk of the court shall give notice by publication thereof, as provided in section 6115.01 of the Revised Code, in each county in the district. The notice shall be substantially as set forth in division (E) of section 6115.79 of the Revised Code. It is not necessary for the clerk to name the parties interested.

It is not necessary to describe separate lots or tracts of land in giving the notice, but it is sufficient to give such descriptions as will enable the owner to determine whether or not his land is covered by such description. For instance, it is sufficient to state "All land lying in the ____________ ward of the city of _________________________," or "All land abutting on _________________ street in the city of ___________________," or "All land lying west of ___________________ river and east of _________________________ railroad in ______________________ township," or any other general description pointing out the lands involved.

Where lands in different counties are mentioned in the report, it is not necessary to publish a description of all the lands in the district in each county, but only of that part of the lands located in the county in which publication is made.

Section 6115.35 | Filing exceptions to reports or appraisals.
 

Any property owner may accept the appraisals in his favor of benefits and of damages and of lands to be taken made by the board of appraisers of a sanitary district, or may acquiesce in the board's failure to appraise damages in his favor, and shall be construed to have done so unless within ten days after the last publication provided for in section 6115.34 of the Revised Code he files exceptions to said report or to any appraisal of either benefits or damages or of land to be taken which may be appropriated. All exceptions shall be heard by the court beginning not less than twenty nor more than thirty days after the last publication provided for in such section, and determined in advance of other business so as to carry out, liberally, the purposes and needs of the district. The court may, if it deems necessary, return the report to the board for its further consideration and amendment, and enter its order to that effect. If the appraisal roll as a whole is referred back to the board, the court shall not resume the hearing thereof without new notice, as for an original hearing thereon. The court may, without losing jurisdiction over the roll, order the board to recast the roll when the order of the court specifies the precise character of the changes thereof.

Section 6115.36 | Court approval, confirmation or return of plan.
 

If it appears to the satisfaction of the court after having heard and determined all the exceptions filed pursuant to section 6115.35 of the Revised Code, that the estimated cost of constructing or acquiring the improvement contemplated in the official plan is less than the benefits appraised, then the court shall approve and confirm the report of the board of appraisers of a sanitary district as modified and amended, and such findings and appraisals are final and incontestable. If the court finds that the estimated benefits appraised are less than the total costs of the execution of the official plan, exclusive of interest on any bonds issued to finance the official plan, or that the official plan is not suited to the requirements of the district, it may return the official plan to the board of directors of the sanitary district with the order for it to prepare new or amended plans, or it may disorganize the district after having provided for the payment of all expenditures.

Section 6115.37 | Appeal of award as to compensation or damages.
 

Any person or public or private corporation desiring to appeal from an award as to compensation or damages shall, within twenty days from the judgment of the court confirming the report of the board of appraisers of a sanitary district, file with the clerk of the court a written notice making demand for a jury trial, specifying the award or awards from which the appeal is taken. If the appellant does not recover more by the verdict of the jury than the sum awarded him by the board, or if the verdict is not more favorable to him, he shall pay the costs of the appeal.

The appeal shall be from the award of compensation or damages, or both, and shall require the sanitary district to commence proceedings pursuant to sections 163.01 to 163.22 of the Revised Code, but shall not include the questions of necessity for the appropriation, inability of the parties to agree, or any other part of the decree of the court.

Section 6115.38 | Possession of property after verdict and award.
 

No property shall be taken under sections 6115.01 to 6115.79, inclusive, of the Revised Code, until compensation has been paid according to law. But where a trial is had by jury, and a verdict has been rendered which has been confirmed by the court, the board of directors of the sanitary district may pay the amount allowed into court in money with the costs, and thereupon the court shall make an order admitting the district into possession of the property and confirming its title thereto, although the owner may take steps to take the case to a higher court. Thereupon the board may enter into undisturbed possession of the property and rights involved.

Section 6115.39 | Certified copy of the decree.
 

Upon the entry of the order of the court approving the report of the board of appraisers of a sanitary district, the clerk of said court in which the same is entered shall transmit a certified copy of the decree, and of the appraisals as confirmed by the court, except those parts from which appeals have been perfected but not determined, to the secretary of the sanitary district.

When any appeal has been finally determined, the clerk of that court shall certify the amount of each item of the judgment to the clerk of the court having the original case, who shall file the same therein and thereupon transmit certified copies of the same as provided in this section.

Section 6115.40 | Alterations or additions to official plan.
 

The board of directors of a sanitary district may at any time, when necessary to fulfill the objects for which the district was created, alter or add to the official plan. When such alterations or additions are formally approved by the board, by the environmental protection agency, and by the court, and are filed with the secretary of the sanitary district, they shall become part of the official plan for all purposes of this chapter. Where such alterations or additions in the judgment of the court neither materially modify the general character of the work, nor materially increase resulting damages for which the board is not able to make amicable settlement, no action other than a resolution of the board and approval by the environmental protection agency is necessary for the approval of such alterations or additions. In case the proposed alterations or additions materially modify the general character of the work or materially modify the resulting damages or materially reduce the benefits, for which the board is not able to make amicable settlement, or materially increase the benefits in such a manner as to require a new appraisal, the court shall direct the board of appraisers of the sanitary district, which may be the original board, or a new board appointed by the court on petition of the board of directors or otherwise, to appraise the property to be taken, benefited, or damaged by the proposed alterations or additions.

Upon the completion of the report by the board of appraisers, notice shall be given and a hearing had on its report in the same manner as in the case of the original report of the board of appraisers, and the same right of appeal to a jury exists. Where few landowners are affected, the clerk of the court may, on order of the court, if found to be more economical and convenient, give personal notice of the pendency of the report of the board of appraisers, instead of notice by publication. When the only question at issue is additional damages or reduction of benefits to property due to modification or additions to the plans, the board of directors may, if it finds it practicable, make settlements with the owners of the property damaged, instead of having appraisals made by the board of appraisers. In case such settlements are made, notice and hearing need not be had. After bonds have been sold, in order that their security may not be impaired, no reduction shall be made in the amount of benefits appraised against property in the district. This section applies to all changes in appraisals under this chapter.

Section 6115.41 | Appeal not to delay action or prosecution of work.
 

No appeal under sections 6115.01 to 6115.79, inclusive, of the Revised Code, shall be permitted to interrupt or delay any action or the prosecution of any work under such sections, except where the party appealing is entitled to a jury under the constitution of the state, and such jury trial has not been had, in which case only so much of the work shall be interrupted or delayed as would constitute a taking of or a damaging of the property of the appellant.

The board of directors of a sanitary district may appeal from any order of the court of common pleas made in any proceedings under such sections not requiring the intervention of a jury.

The failure to appeal from any order of the court in any proceedings under sections 6115.01 to 6115.79, inclusive, of the Revised Code, within the time specified in such sections constitutes a waiver of any irregularity in the proceedings, and the remedies provided for in such sections exclude all other remedies except as provided in such sections.

Section 6115.42 | Appraisal and assessment of lands losing tax exemption.
 

If any lands in any sanitary district are not liable for taxation or assessment at the time of the execution of the work, but afterwards, during the period when such work is being paid for, become liable to taxation or assessment by reason of some change in condition, benefit, or ownership, such lands shall thereupon be appraised and assessed as other lands in said district receiving equal benefits.

Section 6115.43 | Appraising lands not at first included within the boundaries of district.
 

In case any real property within or without any sanitary district is benefited which for any reason was not appraised in the original proceedings, or was not appraised to the extent of benefits received, or in case any person, public corporation, or other district makes use of or profits by the works of any district to a degree not compensated for in the original appraisal, or in case the board of directors of the sanitary district finds it necessary, subsequent to the time when the first appraisals are made, to take or damage any additional property, the board of directors, at any time that condition becomes evident, shall direct the board of appraisers of the sanitary district to appraise the benefits or enhanced benefits received by that property, or the damages or value of property taken. Proceedings outlined in sections 6115.01 to 6115.79 of the Revised Code for appraising lands not at first included within the boundaries of the district shall in all matters be conformed with, including notice to the parties, or the board of directors may make any suitable settlement with the person, public corporation, or other district for the use, benefit, damage, or property taken.

In the case of a district organized wholly for the reduction of populations of biting arthropods, if the board of appraisers determines that each parcel of real property in the district receives a portion of the benefits received by the entire district in the same proportion that its taxable value bears to the taxable value of all the real property in the district, and the court confirms the determination of the board, the assessments for the reduction of such populations shall be uniformly apportioned throughout the district on that basis.

Section 6115.44 | Immaterial irregularities or defects.
 

No fault in any notice or other proceedings shall affect the validity of any proceeding under sections 6115.01 to 6115.79, inclusive, of the Revised Code, except to the extent to which it can be shown that such fault resulted in a material denial of justice to the property owner complaining of such fault.

If it is found upon a hearing that by reason of some irregularity or defect in the proceedings the appraisal has not been properly made, the court may nevertheless, on having proof that expense has been incurred which is a proper charge against the property of the complainant, render a finding as to the amount of benefits to said property, and appraise the proper benefits accordingly, where the party is entitled thereto. Thereupon said land shall be assessed as other land equally benefited. If at any time either before or after the issuance of bonds pursuant to such sections, the appraisal of benefits, either as a whole or in part, is declared by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid by reason of any defect or irregularity in the proceedings therefor, whether jurisdictional or otherwise, the court of common pleas, on the application of the board of directors of the sanitary district or on the application of any holder of any bonds which have been issued pursuant to such sections, shall promptly and without delay remedy all defects or irregularities as the case requires by directing the board of appraisers of the sanitary district to make, in the manner provided in section 6115.30 of the Revised Code, a new appraisal of the amount of benefits against the whole or any part of the lands in said district as the case requires.

Section 6115.45 | Sanitary district funds.
 

The moneys of every sanitary district shall consist of three separate funds:

(A) The "preliminary fund" consisting of the proceeds of the ad valorem tax authorized by section 6115.46 of the Revised Code, and such advancements as are made from the general county funds as provided in section 6115.46 of the Revised Code;

(B) The "bond fund" consisting of the proceeds of levies made against the special assessments of benefits equalized and confirmed under this chapter, and, as to sanitary districts organized for the purpose of providing a water supply, the proceeds of the sale of water pursuant to section 6115.19 of the Revised Code and the proceeds of bonds issued under this chapter;

(C) The "maintenance fund" consisting of a special assessment to be levied annually for the purpose of upkeep, administration, and current expenses as provided in section 6115.53 of the Revised Code, except that the maintenance fund for improved water supply for domestic, municipal, and public use shall be derived from the sale of water as provided in such section.

The cost of preparing the official plan, the appraisal, except as paid out of the preliminary fund, the entire cost of construction and superintendence, including all charges incidental thereto, the financing costs as defined in section 133.01 of the Revised Code, and the cost of administration during the period of construction shall be paid out of the bond fund. No vouchers shall be drawn against the preliminary fund, except for advances from the general county funds, or against the maintenance fund provided for purposes other than improved water supply for domestic, municipal, and public use, until a tax-levying resolution has been properly passed by the board of directors of the sanitary district, and duly entered upon its records. In case the purposes of the district include both improved sanitation and improved water supply, the funds for these purposes shall be kept separate.

Section 6115.46 | Preliminary costs and expenses to be repaid.
 

After the filing of a petition for the organization of a sanitary district, and before the district is organized, the costs of publication and other official costs of the proceedings shall be paid out of the general funds of the county in which the petition is pending. Such payment shall be made on the warrant of the county auditor on the order of the court. If the district is organized, such cost shall be repaid to the county out of the first funds received by the district through levying of taxes or assessments or selling of bonds, or the borrowing of money. If the district is not organized, the cost shall be collected from the petitioners or their bondsmen. Upon the organization of the district, the court shall make an order indicating a preliminary division of the preliminary expenses between the counties included in the district in approximately the proportions of interest of the various counties as estimated by the court. The court shall issue an order to the auditor of each county to issue his warrant upon the county treasurer of his county to reimburse the county having paid the total cost.

Expenses incurred after the organization of the district and prior to the receipt of money by the district from taxes or assessments, bond sales, or otherwise, shall be paid from the general funds of the counties upon the order of the court and upon certification of the clerk of the court of such order specifying the amount and purpose of the levy to the auditor of each county, who shall thereupon at once issue his warrant to the treasurer of his county, said payments to be made in proportion to the order outlined by the court. Upon receipt of funds by the district from the sale of bonds or by taxation or assessment the funds so advanced by the counties shall be repaid.

As soon as any district has been organized, and a board of directors of the sanitary district has been appointed and qualified, such board may levy upon the property of the district not to exceed three-tenths of a mill on the assessed valuation thereof as a level rate to be used for the purpose of paying expenses of organization, for surveys and plans, and for other incidental expenses which may be necessary up to the time money is received from the sale of bonds or otherwise. This tax shall be certified to the auditors of the various counties and by them to the respective treasurers of their counties. If such items of expense have already been paid in whole or in part from other sources, they may be repaid although the work proposed may have been found impracticable or for other reasons is abandoned. The collection of such tax levy and the procedure relating to the nonpayment of taxes shall conform in all matters to the collection of taxes and assessments for the district. The board may borrow money in any manner provided for in sections 6115.47 and 6115.50 of the Revised Code, and may pledge the receipts from such taxes or, in the case of a sanitary district organized for the purpose of providing a water supply, the proceeds of the sale of water pursuant to section 6115.62 of the Revised Code for its repayment, the information collected by the necessary surveys, the appraisal of benefits and damages, and other information and data being of real value and constituting benefits for which the tax may be levied. In case a district is disbanded for any cause before the work is constructed, the data, plans, and estimates which have been secured shall be filed with the clerk of the court before which the district was organized and shall be matters of public record available to any person interested.

Section 6115.47 | Borrowing power of board of directors.
 

In order to facilitate the preliminary work, the board of directors of a sanitary district may borrow money at a rate of interest not exceeding six per cent per annum; may issue and sell or pay to contractors or others negotiable warrants signed by the members of the board; and may pledge, after it has been levied, the preliminary tax of not exceeding three tenths of a mill for the repayment thereof. If any warrant issued by the board is presented for payment and is not paid for want of funds in the treasury, that fact with the date of refusal shall be indorsed on the back of such warrant, and said warrant shall thereafter draw interest at the rate of six per cent until such time as there is money on hand sufficient to pay the amount of said warrant with interest.

Section 6115.48 | Sanitary district assessment record.
 

(A) After the list of real property, with the appraised benefits as approved by the court, or that part thereof from which no appeal is pending, has been filed with the secretary of the sanitary district as provided in section 6115.39 of the Revised Code, then from time to time, as the affairs of the district demand it, the board of directors of the sanitary district may levy on all real property, upon which benefits have been appraised, an assessment of such portion of the benefits as is found necessary by the board to pay the cost of the execution of the official plan, including superintendence of construction, administration, and financing costs, plus ten per cent of the total to be added for contingencies, but not to exceed in the total of principal the appraised benefits so adjudicated.

(B) Such assessment shall be apportioned to and levied on each tract of land or other property in the district in proportion to the benefits appraised, and not in excess thereof. If bonds are issued as provided in section 6115.50 of the Revised Code, then the amount of interest which will accrue on such bonds, as estimated by the board, shall be included in and added to the the assessment, but the interest to accrue on account of the issuing of the bonds shall not be construed as a part of the cost of construction in determining whether or not the expenses and costs of making the improvement are equal to or in excess of the benefits appraised.

(C) As soon as the assessment is levied, the secretary of the sanitary district, at the expense of the district, shall prepare in duplicate an assessment record of the district. It shall be indorsed and named "Sanitary District Assessment Record of ___________________ District."

(D) A separate record shall be preserved in case the purposes of the district include both improved sanitation and improved water supply. It shall contain a notation of the items of property appraised, the total amount of benefits appraised against each item, and the total assessment levied against each item. Where successive levies of assessments are made for the bond fund, the sanitary district assessment record shall contain suitable notations to show the number of levies and the amount of each, to the end that the sanitary district assessment record may disclose the aggregate of all levies for the bond fund up to that time.

(E) Upon the completion of such record it shall be signed and certified by the president of the board and by the secretary of the sanitary district, and shall thereafter become a permanent record in the office of the district. A copy of that part of the sanitary district assessment record affecting lands in any county shall be filed with the county auditor of such county.

(F) If it is found at any time that the total amount of assessment levied is insufficient to pay the cost of works set out in the official plan or of additional work done, the board may make an additional levy to provide funds to complete the work, provided the total of all levies of such assessment exclusive of interest does not exceed the total benefits appraised.

(G) The board of directors of a sanitary district shall not levy an assessment pursuant to this section unless both of the following apply:

(1) The total of all such assessments, exclusive of any amount added or to be added to such assessments representing interest that will accrue on bonds issued or to be issued, during the ten-year period that includes the year in which such assessment under this section is levied and the immediately preceding nine years does not exceed three per cent of the assessed valuation of the property within the district as listed and assessed for taxation in the year in which such assessment is levied;

(2) The largest annual installment of such assessment, exclusive of any amount to be added to such installment representing interest that will accrue on bonds to be issued and assuming no payment of any part of such assessment will be made pursuant to section 6115.49 of the Revised Code, does not exceed five-tenths of one per cent of such assessed valuation.

Section 6115.49 | Assessment payments.
 

When the assessment roll is placed on file in the office of the sanitary district, notice by publication shall be given to property owners that they may pay their assessments. Any owner of real property assessed for the execution of the official plan under section 6115.48 of the Revised Code may pay such assessment to the treasurer of the sanitary district within thirty days from the time such assessment is placed on file in the office of the district, and the amount to be paid shall be the full amount of the assessment less any amount added thereto to meet interest. When such assessment has been paid, the secretary of the sanitary district shall enter upon the assessment record opposite each tract for which payment is made the words "paid in full," and such assessment shall be deemed satisfied. The payment of such assessment does not relieve the landowner from the necessity for the payment of a maintenance assessment pursuant to section 6115.53 of the Revised Code, nor for payment of any further assessment which may be necessary as provided in sections 6115.46, 6115.48, and 6115.53 of the Revised Code. Any person or public corporation failing to pay assessments in full as provided for in this section shall be deemed to have consented to the issuance of bonds as provided for under section 6115.50 of the Revised Code, and to payment of interest thereon. If any assessment is twenty-five dollars or less, or whenever the unpaid balance of any such assessment is twenty-five dollars or less, the same shall be paid in full, and not in installments, at the time the first or next installment would otherwise become due and payable.

After the expiration of the period of thirty days within which the property owners may pay their respective assessments, the treasurer of the sanitary district shall certify to the board of directors of the sanitary district the aggregate of the amount so paid, and thereupon the board shall pass and spread upon its records a resolution in which shall be stated the amount of the assessment, and the amount thereof paid. Thereupon the board shall in the same resolution apportion the uncollected assessment into installments or levies and provide for the collection of interest upon the unpaid installments. Thereafter it may order the issuance of bonds in anticipation of the collection of the installments in an amount not exceeding ninety per cent of the assessment pursuant to section 6115.50 of the Revised Code. The residue of the assessment so levied, not less than ten per cent, shall constitute a contingent account to protect the bonds from casual default, and any part thereof in excess of ten per cent of the next installment of maturing bond principal, together with the next two installments of semiannual interest, if not needed for this purpose, may be transferred from time to time to the maintenance fund.

Section 6115.50 | Bonds in anticipation of the levy and collection of special assessments.
 

(A) For the purpose of acquiring, constructing, rehabilitating, furnishing, and equipping real and personal property necessary or appropriate for the execution of the official plan, as such plan is amended from time to time, the board of directors of a sanitary district may issue bonds in anticipation of the levy and collection of special assessments in an amount not to exceed ninety per cent of the total amount of the assessments, exclusive of interest, levied under section 6115.48 of the Revised Code, in denominations of not less than one thousand dollars, bearing interest from date of issue at a rate determined as authorized in section 9.95 of the Revised Code, payable at such intervals as may be determined by the board of directors as provided in section 133.21 of the Revised Code, but in no event shall the maturity be greater than thirty years from the date of issue. Anticipatory securities issued under this section shall be governed as to maturity by section 133.17 of the Revised Code. Such bonds shall be signed by the president of the board, attested by the signature of the secretary of the district, and may be issued in accordance with section 9.96 of the Revised Code. In case any of the officers whose signatures, countersignatures, or certificates appearing upon bonds issued pursuant to such sections ceases to be such officer before the delivery of such bonds to the purchaser, such signatures, countersignatures, or certificates shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes, as if such officer had remained in office until the delivery of the bonds. All of the bonds issued under this section and section 6115.52 of the Revised Code may be sold at a public or private sale in the manner provided in section 133.30 of the Revised Code, as determined by the board of directors of the sanitary district; except that, with respect to such bonds, the minimum price stated in section 133.30 of the Revised Code shall be exclusive of original issue discount, if any, applicable to such bonds. They shall show on their face the purpose for which they are issued and, in the case of anticipatory securities, that they are issued in anticipation of the issuance of bonds, and shall be payable out of money deposited in the bond fund. A sufficient amount of the assessment shall be appropriated by the board to pay the principal and interest of bonds and such assessment shall, when collected, be set apart in a separate fund for that purpose only. All bonds and coupons not paid at maturity shall bear interest at the rate provided in section 9.95 of the Revised Code from maturity until paid, or until sufficient funds have been deposited at the place of payment.

(B) Upon the determination of the board of directors that such issuance will be in the sanitary district's best interest, the sanitary district may:

(1) Issue bonds pursuant to this section to fund or refund any outstanding revenue or other special obligation securities previously issued by it for permanent improvements pursuant to authorization by law or the Ohio Constitution. Any bonds issued pursuant to division (B)(1) of this section shall be payable as to principal at such times and in such installments as determined by the sanitary district consistent with section 133.21 of the Revised Code, but their last maturity shall not be later than thirty years from the date of issuance of the original bonds issued for the original purpose.

(2) Issue revenue bonds, if authorized by other law or the Ohio Constitution to issue such bonds for the original purpose, to fund or refund any outstanding bonds previously issued by it pursuant to authorization by law. The sanitary district shall establish the maturity date or dates, the interest payable, and other terms of such securities as it considers necessary or appropriate for their issuance.

(3) Issue bonds pursuant to this section to fund or refund outstanding bonds issued in one or more issues for any purpose or purposes. Bonds issued pursuant to division (B)(3) of this section shall be payable as to principal at such times and in such installments as determined by the sanitary district. Section 133.21 of the Revised Code is not applicable to these refunding securities, but the last maturity of these refunding securities shall not be later than the year of last maturity permitted by law for the bonds refunded. Assessments levied for debt charges on the refunding bonds shall be considered to have the same status with respect to the provisions of the applicable limitation as the levies for debt charges on bonds that are refunded.

(C) Bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be considered to be issued for the same purpose or purposes as the securities that they are issued to fund or refund, and their proceeds shall be used as determined by the sanitary district consistent with their purpose. That use may include the payment of the outstanding principal amount of, any redemption premium on, and any interest to redemption or maturity on, the bonds being funded or refunded, and any expenses relating to the funding or refunding or the issuance of the refunding bonds, including financing costs, all as determined by the sanitary district. Proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to this section may also be used to provide additional money for the purpose or purposes for which the bonds being funded or refunded, or which they funded or refunded, were issued.

(D) Bonds may be issued pursuant to this section to fund or refund all or any portion of the outstanding bonds, and whether or not the bonds to be funded or refunded were issued subject to call or redemption prior to maturity, or are the original bonds, or are themselves refunding bonds.

(E) The proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to this section to fund or refund bonds and required for the purpose shall, under an escrow agreement or otherwise, to the extent required by the legislation to be placed in an escrow fund, which may be in the bond fund in the case of the funded or refunded bonds being payable within ninety days of issuance of the refunding bonds, and are pledged for the purpose of funding or refunding the refunded bonds and shall be used, together with any other available funds as provided in this section, for that purpose. Pending that use, the moneys in escrow shall be invested in direct obligations of or obligations guaranteed as to both principal and interest by the United States that mature or are subject to redemption by and at the option of the holder not later than the date or dates when the moneys, together with interest or other investment income accrued on those moneys, will be required for that use. Any moneys in the escrow fund derived from the issuance of revenue bonds that will not be needed to pay debt charges on the funded or refunded bonds may be used for and pledged to the payment of debt charges on the refunding securities and on any bonds issued on a parity with the refunding bonds. Any moneys in the escrow fund derived from the proceeds of refunding bonds and that will not be needed to pay debt charges on the refunded bonds shall be transferred to the bond fund. When the district has placed in escrow moneys, derived from proceeds of refunding obligations or otherwise, or those direct or guaranteed obligations of the United States, or a combination of both, determined by an independent public accounting firm to be sufficient, with the interest or other investment income accruing on those direct obligations, for the payment of debt charges on the refunded bonds, the refunded bonds shall no longer be considered to be outstanding, and the levy of taxes or other charges for the payment of debt charges on the bonds under this chapter, Chapter 5705., or other provisions of the Revised Code, shall not be required. For purposes of this division, "direct obligations of or obligations guaranteed as to both principal and interest by the United States" includes rights to receive payment or portions of payments of the principal of or interest or other investment income on those obligations and on other obligations fully secured as to principal and interest by those direct obligations and the interest or other investment income on those direct obligations.

(F) The authority granted by this section is in addition to and not a limitation on any other authorizations granted by or pursuant to law or the Ohio Constitution for the same or similar purposes.

The board in making the annual assessment levy shall take into account the principal of, including mandatory sinking fund payments, and interest on all bonds, and shall make ample provision in advance for the payment thereof.

In case the proceeds of the original assessment made under section 6115.48 of the Revised Code are not sufficient to pay the principal and interest of all bonds issued, then the board shall make such additional levies as are necessary for this purpose, subject to the limitation of section 6115.48 of the Revised Code regarding the total of all assessments, and under no circumstances shall any assessment levies be made that will in any manner or to any extent impair the security of the bonds or the fund available for the payment of the principal and interest of the bonds.

Section 6115.51 | Treasurer's duties - bonds - investments.
 

The treasurer of a sanitary district shall, at the time of taking office, execute and deliver to the president of the board of directors of the sanitary district, a bond with good and sufficient sureties, to be approved by the board, conditioned that the treasurer shall account for and pay over as required by law, and as ordered by the board, all money received by him on the sale of any of such bonds or from any other source, and that he will only sell and deliver such bonds to the purchasers thereof under and according to the terms prescribed in this section and section 6115.50 of the Revised Code. The treasurer of the district shall promptly report all sales of bonds to the board, and the board shall issue warrants at the proper time for the payment of the principal, including mandatory sinking fund payments, and premium, if any, and the interest payments coming due on all bonds sold, and the treasurer shall place sufficient funds at the place of payment to pay the bonds. In case proper warrants are not issued by the board as provided in this section, the treasurer of the district shall of his own accord place funds at the place of payment.

The successor in office of any treasurer of a sanitary district is not entitled to the bonds or the proceeds thereof until he has complied with this section. If it is deemed more expedient by the board, as to moneys derived from the sale of bonds issued or from any other source, the board may by resolution select some suitable bank or banks or other depository, which depository shall be a qualified trustee as provided in section 135.18 of the Revised Code to hold and disburse such moneys on the orders of the board as the work progresses, until such fund is exhausted or transferred to the treasurer of the district by order of the board. The funds derived from the sale of any of such bonds shall be used only for paying the cost of the works and improvements and such costs, expenses, fees, and salaries, including financing costs, as are authorized by law.

The district may secure the payment of loans authorized by this chapter in the same manner as it may secure the payment of bonds, and the board may make any necessary rules to provide for such payment. A party who has not sought a remedy against any proceeding under this chapter, until after bonds have been sold or the work constructed, cannot for any cause have an injunction against the collection of taxes or assessments for the payment of such bonds.

Such bonds are negotiable instruments under Chapter 1303. of the Revised Code, and when executed under such sections, and when sold in the manner prescribed in this section and section 6115.50 of the Revised Code and the consideration therefor is received by the district, shall not be invalidated for any irregularity or defect in the proceedings for the issue and sale thereof, and are incontestable in the hands of bona fide purchasers or holders thereof for value. No proceedings in respect to the issuance of any such bonds shall be necessary except such as are required by this chapter.

Moneys in the funds of the district, in excess of current needs, may be invested in investments authorized under Chapter 135. of the Revised Code for the investment of interim moneys, except as otherwise provided in any resolution authorizing the issuance of its revenue bonds, in any trust agreement securing its revenue bonds, or in any other resolution authorizing the investment of its funds. Income from all such investments of moneys in any fund shall be credited to such funds as the board determines, subject to any such resolution or trust agreement, and such investments may be sold at such times as the treasurer determines.

Section 6115.52 | Revenue obligations issued to pay costs arising from execution of official plan.
 

(A) The board of directors of a sanitary district may issue revenue obligations as provided in this section to pay the costs of the acquisition, construction, improvement, furnishing, and equipping of real and personal property appropriate for execution of the official plan. Such revenue obligations shall be authorized by resolution of the board of directors of a sanitary district.

(B) Revenue obligations may be secured by a pledge of and lien on all or such part of the revenues received by the sanitary district as provided in the bond proceedings, subject to any pledge of such revenues previously made to the contrary and any existing restrictions on the use thereof. Such obligations may be additionally secured by covenants of the sanitary district to make, fix, adjust, collect, and apply such charges, rates, fees, rentals, and other items of revenues as will produce pledged revenues sufficient to meet bond service charges, reserve, and other requirements provided for in the bond proceedings.

(C) Such revenue obligations shall not be general obligations, debt, or bonded indebtedness of any sanitary district or any other political subdivision. The holders or owners of the obligations shall not be given the right, and have no right, to have excises or taxes levied by the sanitary district or any other political subdivision for the payment of bond service charges thereon, and each such obligation shall bear on its face a statement to that effect and to the effect that the right to such payment is limited to the revenues and special funds pledged to such purpose under the bond proceedings.

(D) The bond proceedings for such obligations shall provide for the purpose thereof, the principal amount, the principal maturity or maturities, the interest rate or rates, the date of the obligations and the dates of payment of interest thereon, their denominations, the manner of sale thereof, and the establishment within or outside the state of a place or places of payment of bond service charges on such obligations. The bond proceedings shall also provide for a pledge of and lien on revenues of the sanitary district as provided in division (B) of this section, and a pledge of and lien on such fund or funds provided in the bond proceedings arising from revenues, which pledges and liens may provide for parity with obligations theretofore or thereafter issued by the sanitary district. The revenues so pledged and thereafter received by the sanitary district and the funds so pledged are immediately subject to the lien of such pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act, and the lien of any such pledge is valid and binding against all parties having claims of any kind against the sanitary district, irrespective of whether such parties have notice thereof, and create a perfected security interest for all purposes of Chapter 1309. of the Revised Code, without the necessity for separation or delivery of funds or for the filing or recording of the bond proceedings by which such pledge is created or any certificate, statement, or other document with respect thereto. The pledge of such available receipts and funds shall be effective and the money therefrom and thereof may be applied to the purposes for which pledged without necessity for any further act of appropriation.

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

(1) The acquisition, construction, reconstruction, equipment, furnishing, improvement, operation, leasing, alteration, enlargement, maintenance, insurance, and repair of real and personal property appropriate for the execution of the official plan, and the duties of the sanitary district with reference thereto;

(2) The terms of the obligations, including provisions for their redemption prior to maturity at the option of the sanitary district at such price or prices and under such terms and conditions as are provided in the bond proceedings;

(3) Limitations on the purposes to which the proceeds of the obligations may be applied;

(4) The rates or other charges for the use of or right to use the facilities financed by the obligations, or other properties the revenues or receipts from which are pledged to the obligations, and regulations for assuring use, including limitations upon the right to modify such rates, other charges, or regulations;

(5) The use and expenditure of the pledged revenues in such manner and to such extent as shall be determined;

(6) Limitations on the issuance of additional obligations;

(7) The terms of any trust agreement or indenture securing the obligations or under which the same may be issued;

(8) The deposit, investment, and application of funds, and the safeguarding of funds on hand or on deposit without regard to Chapter 131. or 135. of the Revised Code, and any bank or trust company which acts as depository of any moneys under the bond proceedings shall furnish such indemnifying bonds or shall pledge or hypothecate such securities as required by the bond proceedings or otherwise by the sanitary district;

(9) The binding effect of any or every provision of the bond proceedings upon such officer, board, commission, authority, agency, department, or other person or body 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 provisions;

(10) Any provision which may be made in a trust agreement or indenture under division (I) of this section;

(11) Any other or additional agreements with respect to the real or personal property of the sanitary district, their operation, the revenues and funds pledged, and insurance of such property and of the sanitary district, its officers, and employees.

(F) Such obligations may have the seal of the district or a facsimile thereof affixed thereto or printed thereon and shall be executed by such officer or officers as are designated in the bond proceedings, which execution may be by facsimile signatures. Any obligations may be executed by an officer who, on the date of execution, is the proper officer although on the date of such obligations such person was not the proper officer. In case any officer whose signature or a facsimile of whose signature appears on any such obligations ceases to be such officer before delivery thereof, such signature or facsimile is valid and sufficient for all purposes as if he had remained such officer until such delivery; and in case the seal of the district has been changed after a facsimile of the seal has been imprinted on such obligations, such facsimile seal continues to be sufficient as to such obligations, and obligations issued in substitution or exchange therefor.

(G) All such obligations are negotiable instruments and securities under Chapter 1308. of the Revised Code, subject to the provisions of the bond proceedings as to registration. The obligations may be issued as provided in section 9.96 of the Revised Code.

(H) Pending preparation of definitive obligations, the board of directors of the sanitary district may issue interim receipts or certificates which shall be exchanged for such definitive obligations.

(I) Such obligations may be secured additionally by a trust agreement or indenture between the district and a corporate trustee which may be any trust company or bank having the powers of a trust company within or outside this state but authorized to exercise trust powers within this state. Any such agreement or indenture may contain, as part thereof, any of the bond proceedings, and may contain any provision that may be included in the bond proceedings as authorized by this section, and other provisions which are customary or appropriate in an agreement or indenture of such type, including but not limited to:

(1) The maintenance of such pledge, trust agreement, indenture and mortgage, or other instrument comprising part of the bond proceedings until the sanitary district has fully paid the bond service charges on the obligations secured thereby, or provision therefor has been made;

(2) In the event of default in any payments required to be made by the bond proceedings, or any other agreement of the sanitary district made as a part of the contract under which the obligations were issued, enforcement of such payments or agreement by mandamus, the appointment of a receiver, foreclosure, or any other legal remedy;

(3) The rights and remedies of the holders of obligations and of the trustee, and provisions for protecting and enforcing them, including limitations on rights of individual holders of obligations;

(4) The replacement of any obligations that become mutilated or are destroyed, lost, or stolen;

(5) Such other provisions as the trustee and the sanitary district agree upon, including limitations, conditions, or qualifications relating to any of the foregoing.

(J) Each duty of the sanitary district and its officers or employees, undertaken pursuant to the bond proceedings or any agreement or lease made under authority of this chapter, is hereby established as a duty of such district, and of each such officer or employee having authority to perform such duty, specially enjoined by law resulting from an office, trust, or station within the meaning of section 2731.01 of the Revised Code. The persons who are at the time the members of the board of directors of the district or its officers or employees shall not be liable in their personal capacities on such obligations, bond proceedings, lease, or other agreement of the district.

(K) The authority to issue such obligations includes authority to issue obligations in the form of anticipatory securities and to renew the same from time to time by the issuance of new anticipatory securities. Such anticipatory securities are payable solely from the revenues and funds that may be pledged to the payment of such bonds, or from the proceeds of such bonds or renewal anticipatory securities, or both, as the board of directors provides in its resolution authorizing such anticipatory securities. Such anticipatory securities may be additionally secured by covenants of the board of directors to the effect that it will do such or all things necessary for the issuance of such bonds or renewal anticipatory securities in appropriate amount, and either exchange such bonds or renewal anticipatory securities therefor or apply the proceeds thereof to the extent necessary, to make full payment of the principal of and interest on such anticipatory securities at the time or times contemplated as provided in such resolution. Subject to this division, all references to obligations in this section are applicable to such anticipatory securities.

(L) The authority to issue such obligations includes authority to issue revenue obligations to refund, including funding and retirement of, obligations previously issued to pay costs of real and personal property whether issued under authority of this section or other law authorizing such issuance. Such refunding obligations may be issued in amounts sufficient for payment of the principal amount of the obligations to be so refunded, any redemption premiums thereon, principal maturities of any obligations maturing prior to the redemption of the obligations to be so refunded, interest accrued or to accrue to the maturity date or dates of redemption of such obligations, and any financing costs incurred or to be incurred in connection with such refunding or the issuance of the obligations.

Section 6115.53 | Sanitary district maintenance assessment - sale of water.
 

To maintain, operate, and preserve the reservoirs, sewers, pumping stations, treatment and disposal works, or other improvements made pursuant to this chapter, other than those connected with the development of a water supply for the sanitary district, and to strengthen, repair, and restore the same, when needed, and to defray the current expenses of the district, other than those expenses connected with the water supply of the district, the board of directors of the sanitary district may, upon the substantial completion of the improvements and on or before the first day of September in each year thereafter, levy an assessment upon each tract or parcel of land and upon corporate property within the district, subject to assessments under such sections, to be known as a sanitary district maintenance assessment.

The maintenance assessment shall be apportioned upon the basis of the total appraisal of benefits accruing for original and subsequent construction, shall not exceed one per cent thereof in any one year unless the court by its order authorizes an assessment of a larger percentage, and shall be certified in duplicate to the county auditor of each county in which lands of the district are located in the same book but in a separate column, or in a separate book kept for that purpose, in like manner and at the same time as the annual installment tax is credited, under the heading "maintenance assessment." The auditor shall certify the same to the county treasurer of the county at the same time that he certifies the annual installment of the bond fund, and the sum of the installments of both funds for any tract may be certified as a single item. The treasurer shall demand and collect the maintenance assessment and make return thereof, and shall be liable for the same penalties for failure to do so, as are provided for the annual installment of the assessment.

The amount of the maintenance assessment paid by any parcel of land shall not be credited against the benefits assessed against such parcel of land; but the maintenance assessment shall be in addition to any assessment that has been or can be levied against the benefit assessment. If any assessment is twenty-five dollars or less, or whenever the unpaid balance of any such assessment is twenty-five dollars or less, such assessment shall be paid in full and not in installments, at the time the first or next installment would otherwise become due and payable.

To maintain, operate, and preserve the improvements of the district made in connection with the development of the water supply for domestic, municipal, and public use within the district, and to strengthen, repair, and restore the same, and to defray the current expense of the district for this purpose, the board shall use moneys from the maintenance fund which shall be derived from the sale of water to public corporations and persons within the district. The rates to be charged for such water shall be uniform and shall be fixed and adjusted at intervals of not less than one year by the board, so that the income thus produced will be adequate to provide a maintenance fund sufficient for the purpose of the district. Contracts for supplying water to public corporations and persons shall be entered into before such service is rendered by the district. Such contracts shall specify the maximum quantity of water which will be furnished to the public corporation or person and this quantity shall be fixed so as to distribute the supply with an equitable apportionment. Preference shall be given to water supply furnished to public corporations for domestic, municipal, and public use. Bills for water supplied to a public corporation shall be rendered to the proper managing officers of such corporation at monthly intervals and shall be paid from the funds of the waterworks department of such public corporation. If such department is unable to pay such indebtedness, the governing or taxing body of such public corporation shall provide the necessary funds for its payment by borrowing money, levying taxes, or in other manner permitted by law.

Section 6115.54 | Readjustment of appraisal of benefits for more equitable basis for levy of maintenance assessment.
 

Whenever the owners or representatives of twenty-five per cent or more of the acreage or value of the lands in a sanitary district file a petition with the clerk of the court in whose office the petition was filed, stating that there has been a material change in the values of the property in the district since the last previous appraisal of benefits, and praying for a readjustment of the appraisal of benefits for the purpose of making a more equitable basis for the levy of the maintenance assessment under section 6115.53 of the Revised Code, the clerk shall give notice of the filing and hearing of said petition by publication in the manner provided in division (A) of section 6115.01 of the Revised Code.

Upon hearing of said petition, if said court finds there has been a material change in the value of property in said district since the last previous appraisal of benefits, the court shall order that there be a readjustment of the appraisal of benefits for the purpose of providing a basis upon which to levy the maintenance assessment of said district. Thereupon the court shall direct the board of appraisers of the sanitary district to make such readjustment of appraisal in the manner provided in sections 6115.01 to 6115.79, inclusive, of the Revised Code, and said board shall make its report. The same proceedings shall be had thereon, as nearly as may be, as are provided in such sections for the appraisal of benefits accruing for original construction. In making the readjustment of the appraisal of the benefits, said appraisals shall not be limited to the aggregate amount of the original or any previous appraisal of benefits, and after the making of such readjustment the limitation of the annual maintenance assessment to one per cent of the total appraised benefits shall apply to the amount of the benefits as readjusted. There shall be no such readjustment of benefits oftener than once in eight years.

Section 6115.55 | Annual levy - certificate.
 

The board of directors of a sanitary district shall each year after the original assessment has been levied determine, order, and levy the part of the total assessments levied under this chapter, which shall become due and be collected during each year at the same time that state and county taxes are due and collected, which annual levy shall be evidenced and certified by the board not later than the first day of September of each year to the county auditor of each county in which the real property of the district is located. The certificate of the annual levy shall be substantially as provided in division (F) of section 6115.79 of the Revised Code. A table or schedule shall follow showing:

(A) The names of the owners of the property, which may be as they appeared in the decree of the court confirming the appraisals; in case of a county, municipal corporation, or township, the names of individual owners need not be given, but only the name of the county, municipal corporation, or township;

(B) The descriptions of the property opposite the names of the owners;

(C) The total amount of the annual installment of all assessments on each piece of property for the account of all funds;

(D) A blank column in which the auditor shall record the several amounts as collected by him;

(E) A blank column in which the auditor shall record the date of payment of the different sums;

(F) A blank column in which the auditor shall report the names of the persons paying the several amounts.

The certificate and report shall be prepared in triplicate and shall be indorsed and named "Sanitary District Assessment Book of _______________________ District, _____________________ County, Ohio," which indorsement shall also be printed at the top of each page. A separate record shall be maintained in case the purposes of the district include both improved sanitation and improved water supply.

Two copies of that part of such triplicate affecting lands in any county shall be forwarded to the county auditor of such county, who shall keep one copy and certify the other copy to the county treasurer. The auditor of each county shall receive the same as a tax book, and shall certify the same as other tax records of the county treasurer of his county. The treasurer shall collect the same according to law. Such tax book or assessment book shall be the treasurer's warrant and authority to demand and receive the assessments due in his county as found in the same.

In the event of any failure of the board to determine and order an annual levy for the purpose of paying the interest on and principal of any bonds pursuant to section 6115.50 of the Revised Code, the auditor of the county in which the lands subject to such assessments are situated shall make and complete a levy of the taxes or special assessments necessary for the purpose against the lands in the district, and each piece of property therein against which benefits have been appraised. Any assessment so made and completed by the auditor shall be made and completed by him in the manner provided for the making and completion of an assessment by the board, and shall have the same effect as a levy of assessments determined and ordered by the board.

Section 6115.56 | Collection of assessments.
 

The county treasurer of each county in which lands of a sanitary district lie shall make due report to the county auditor of the sums collected by him. The auditor shall issue his warrant payable to the treasurer of the sanitary district for all sums of money in the hands of the county treasurer according to his report. Said auditor shall, as soon as the books for collection are closed by the county treasurer according to law, make report to the treasurer of the district of the sums collected, and of the assessments not collected, as returned to him by the county treasurer.

The secretary of the sanitary district shall thereupon provide a certified delinquent tax or assessment list, and forward it in duplicate to the auditor, who shall add the penalty fixed by law and transmit one copy to the county treasurer, who shall forthwith proceed to collect said tax, levy, or assessment, and penalty according to law. All assessments or taxes provided for in sections 6115.01 to 6115.79, inclusive, of the Revised Code, remaining unpaid after they become due and collectible, shall be delinquent and bear a penalty of two percent a month from the date of closing the county treasurer's books until paid. The return of the auditor shall be verified by affidavit.

Section 6115.57 | Bond of county treasurer for probable amount of assessments.
 

Before receiving the assessment book provided for by section 6115.55 of the Revised Code the county treasurer of each county in which lands or other property of the sanitary district are located shall execute to the board of directors of the sanitary district a bond with at least two good and sufficient sureties or a surety company, which bond shall be paid for by the district, in a sum not less than the probable amount of any annual levy of the assessment to be collected by him during any one year, conditioned that said treasurer shall pay over and account for all assessments so collected by him according to law. Said bond after approval by said board shall be deposited with the secretary of the sanitary district who shall be custodian thereof. Such secretary shall produce the bond for inspection and use as evidence whenever and wherever lawfully requested to do so.

Section 6115.58 | Sanitary district assessments and taxes constitute a lien.
 

All sanitary district assessments and taxes provided for in this chapter, together with all penalties for default in payment of the same, and all costs in collecting the same, including reasonable attorney's fees, to be fixed by the court and taxed as costs in the action brought to enforce payment, from the date of filing the certificate described in this section in the office of the county auditor for the county wherein the lands and properties are located, until paid, shall constitute a lien, to which only the lien of the state for general state, county, municipal corporation, school, and road taxes shall be paramount, upon all the lands and other property against which such taxes are levied as is provided in this chapter. Such lien may be evidenced by a certificate substantially in the form set forth in division (F) of section 6115.79 of the Revised Code. The certificate and tables shall be prepared by the secretary of the sanitary district at the expense of the district.

Unless expressly declared to the contrary, no warranty in any warranty deed or in any deed made pursuant to a judicial sale shall warrant against any portion of any assessment levied under this chapter, except past and current installments payable in the year which such deed bears date.

Section 6115.59 | Suits for the collection of delinquent taxes or assessments.
 

The "delinquent assessment book" of a sanitary district is prima-facie evidence in all courts of all matters therein contained. The liens established and declared in section 6115.58 of the Revised Code may be enforced at the option of the board of directors of the sanitary district by an action on delinquent tax bills or assessment bills, made and certified by the county auditor, which action shall be instituted in the court of common pleas, without regard to the amount of the claim, within six months after the thirty-first day of December of the year for which said assessments were levied. The suit shall be brought in the corporate name of the district by its attorney against the land or property on which such tax or assessment has not been paid.

In the event of any default in the payment of the interest or principal of any bonds issued pursuant to section 6115.50 of the Revised Code, and if the district or its proper officers fail to enforce the payment of any unpaid tax or assessment, the holder of such bonds may, for himself and for the benefit of all others similarly situated, enforce the liens by suit or action against the land or property on which such tax or assessment has not been paid, and against the district. The court shall have full power, jurisdiction, and authority to apply such tax or assessment when collected in the payment of the interest or principal upon said bonds as justice and equity require. The suit shall be brought in the county in which the property is located, except when the tract of property sued upon is in more than one county, in which event the suit may be brought on the whole tract, parcel, or property, in any county in which any portion thereof is located. The pleadings, process, proceedings, practice, and sales, in cases arising under such sections, except as provided in such sections, shall be the same as in an action for the enforcement of the state's lien for delinquent general taxes upon real estate.

All sales of lands made under this section shall be by the sheriff as provided by law. All sheriff's deeds executed and delivered pursuant to this section shall have the same probative force as other deeds executed by a sheriff. Abbreviations shall not defeat the action. The title acquired through any sale of lands or other property under such proceedings shall be subject to the lien of all subsequent annual installments of the district tax or assessment.

In all suits for the collection of delinquent taxes or assessments, the judgment for the delinquent taxes or assessments and penalty and interest shall also include all costs of suit and reasonable attorney's fees to be fixed by the court, recoverable the same as the delinquent tax or assessment and in the same suit.

The proceeds of sales made under and by virtue of this section shall be paid at once to the county treasurer and shall be properly credited and accounted for by him the same as other district taxes and assessments.

If any assessments made pursuant to such sections are invalid, the board shall by subsequent or amended acts or proceedings promptly remedy all defects or irregularities as the case requires by making and providing for the collection of new assessments or otherwise.

Section 6115.60 | Procedures for levying, collection, and distribution of assessments.
 

Whenever, under this chapter, an assessment is made against a county, municipal corporation, or township, the governing or taxing body of such political subdivision, upon receipt of the order of the court accepting the report of the board of appraisers, and upon receipt of a copy, certified by the secretary of the sanitary district, of the resolution of the board of directors levying the assessment, shall receive and file the order, and immediately take all the legal and necessary steps to collect the same.

The governing or taxing body shall levy an assessment, by a uniform rate upon all the taxable property within the political subdivision, make out the proper duplicate, and certify such duplicate to the county auditor of the county in which such subdivision is located. Such auditor shall receive such duplicate and certify it for collection to the county treasurer of the county. Such treasurer shall collect the same for the benefit of the district. Said officers shall take all the necessary steps for the levying, collection, and distribution of such an assessment.

This section does not prevent the assessment of the real estate of other corporations or persons situated within such political subdivision which may be subject to assessment for special benefits to be received.

In the event of any dissolution or disincorporation of any sanitary district organized pursuant to this chapter, such dissolution or disincorporation shall not affect the lien of any assessment for benefits imposed pursuant to such sections, or the liability of any land in such district to the levy of any future assessments for the purpose of paying the principal and interest of any bonds issued under such sections. In the event of any such dissolution or disincorporation, or in the event of any failure on the part of the officers of any district to qualify and act, or in the event of any resignations or vacancies in the office, which prevent action by the district or by its proper officers, the county auditor and all other officers charged in any manner with the duty of assessing, levying, and collecting taxes for public purposes in any county, municipal corporation, or political subdivision in which such lands are situated shall perform all acts which are necessary to the collection of any such assessment which has been imposed and to the levying, imposing, and collecting of any assessment which it is necessary to make for the purpose of paying the principal and interest of such bonds. Any holder of any bonds issued pursuant to this chapter, or any person or officer who is a party in interest may either by suit, action, or mandamus enforce and compel performance of the duties required by such sections of any of the officers or persons mentioned in such sections.

Section 6115.61 | Appropriation of fund of water department for payment of assessments or water charges.
 

To pay a portion of the amount of an assessment or annual levy of a sanitary district organized for the purpose of water supply, against any political subdivision, or to pay charges for water, which charges are to be deposited into the bond fund, the legislative or other taxing authority of such political subdivision may appropriate any unappropriated funds of the water department of such political subdivision. When funds of the water department are appropriated under this section, they shall be set aside and shall be disbursed for such purpose exclusively in the same manner as other funds of the water department are disbursed. Such use of funds of the water works of a municipal corporation shall be in addition to the use permitted by sections 715.08, 743.04, 743.05, and 735.29 of the Revised Code. For the purpose of producing sufficient revenue to provide for such payment of assessments or annual levies of a district, in addition to the other expenses and obligations of the water department, or to pay charges for water, which charges are to be deposited into the bond fund, the officers of such political subdivision having authority to establish rates for water furnished by such political subdivision may establish such rates as are necessary, and when so established sections 743.04 and 735.29 of the Revised Code shall apply in the assessment and collection of such rates. After an annual levy upon a political subdivision has been certified to the county auditor by the board of directors of the sanitary district, the auditor shall thereupon give written notification thereof to the fiscal officer of such political subdivision. Following such notification and prior to the certification by the county budget commission of its action upon the budget of such political subdivision for the ensuing year, the fiscal officer of such political subdivision shall pay to the county treasurer the amount previously so appropriated for payment of all or a portion of such annual levy. Any treasurer shall receive such payment, shall properly credit it against the amount due on such annual levy, and shall report such payment to the auditor who shall report it to the county budget commission for its guidance in acting upon the budget of the political subdivision. Any remaining portion of such annual levy not so paid shall become due from such political subdivision and shall be collected by the treasurer at the same time that the state and county taxes are due and collected.

Section 6115.62 | Retirement of principal and interest on bonds.
 

In addition to the uniform rates for water provided for by sections 6115.19 and 6115.53 of the Revised Code, the board of directors of a sanitary district, for the purpose of providing funds for retirement of principal and interest on bonds issued under this chapter, may charge an additional rate for water furnished by the district to a political subdivision or person within the district. Upon determination of such additional rate to a public corporation or person by the board, it shall report its determination to the court and thereafter all proceedings shall be had in the same manner as is provided by section 6115.19 of the Revised Code. Upon the final approval by the court of such additional rate, it shall be conclusive and binding. The officers of such political subdivision having authority to establish rates for water furnished by such political subdivision shall thereupon establish such rates as are necessary to produce sufficient revenue for the payment of such additional rate in addition to the other expenses and obligations of the water department of the political subdivision. When such rates are so established, sections 743.04 and 735.29 of the Revised Code shall apply in the assessment and collection of such rates by the political subdivision. Thereafter during the term for which the additional rate has been determined and approved by the court, such additional rate may be reduced upon determination of a reduced rate by the board and approval thereof by the court, after a hearing in the manner provided by section 6115.19 of the Revised Code.

Bills for such additional charges to a public corporation shall be rendered and payments made from the funds of the water-works department of such public corporation in the same manner as is provided by section 6115.53 of the Revised Code. The use of funds of the water-works department of a municipal corporation for the purpose of payment of such additional charges shall be in addition to the uses permitted by sections 715.08, 743.04, 743.05, and 735.29 of the Revised Code, and the legislative or other appropriating authority may appropriate funds of the water-works department for such purpose. Revenue received by the district through such additional rate shall be set apart in the bond fund and shall be appropriated by the board from time to time solely for the purpose of paying the principal and interest of bonds of the district.

Each year in determining, ordering, and levying an annual levy upon a public corporation or person within the district, as provided by section 6115.55 of the Revised Code, the board shall credit such public corporation or person with such amount as has been actually paid to the district through such additional rate and not previously credited, and such credit shall apply as a reduction of the amount of such annual levy upon such public corporation or person.

Section 6115.63 | Failure to pay over assessments.
 

If any county treasurer or other person entrusted with the collection of assessments fails to make prompt payment of the assessment or any part thereof collected under this chapter to the treasurer of the sanitary district upon his presentation of a proper demand, he shall forfeit ten per cent on the amount of his delinquency. Such forfeiture shall at once become due and payable and both he and his sureties shall be liable therefor on his official bond. The county treasurer shall retain for his services one per cent of the amount he collects on delinquent assessments.

Section 6115.64 | Surplus funds - reports to court and advisory council.
 

Any surplus funds in the treasury of the sanitary district may be used for retiring bonds, for reducing the rate of assessment, or for accomplishing any other of the legitimate objects of the district. At least once a year, or more often if the court or, in the instance of a district organized after October 9, 1981 wholly for the reduction of populations of biting arthropods, the advisory council of the district, so orders, the board of directors of the sanitary district shall make a report to the court and the advisory council of its proceedings and an accounting of receipts and disbursements to that date, which shall be filed with the clerk of the court.

The auditor of state shall audit the accounts and reports of the district.

Section 6115.65 | Compensation, expenses - salaries of extra clerical force.
 

(A) Except as otherwise provided in division (B) of this section, the members of the board of directors of a sanitary district and the members of the board of appraisers of a sanitary district shall receive proper compensation to be fixed by the court in accordance with the time actually employed in performance of their duties and also shall receive necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties. Members of the boards of directors and appraisers shall be provided workers' compensation coverage under Chapter 4123. of the Revised Code. Members of the board of directors shall not receive benefits from the district, including, without limitation, medical care, dental care, vision care, life insurance coverage, holiday pay, and leave time of any sort.

(B)(1) Members of the board of directors of a sanitary district organized wholly for the purpose of providing a water supply for domestic, municipal, and public use shall be compensated on a per diem basis for no more than twelve meeting days per year and also shall receive necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties as members of the board. The per diem compensation of the members shall be established by the court at a rate not exceeding two hundred dollars per day.

(2) Members of the board of directors shall not receive reimbursement for expenses for meals, lodging, and other expenses related to out-of-state travel in excess of five thousand dollars in any calendar year and shall receive no reimbursement for any out-of-state travel expenses for entertainment, alcoholic beverages, tips, or other gratuities. The members shall not receive reimbursement for expenses for out-of-state travel expenses if the expenses could have been avoided through the use of a telephone, fax machine, or other electronic medium. The board of directors shall adopt policies setting forth the circumstances in which out-of-state travel is necessary and the procedures for the reimbursement of the members for any out-of-state travel expenses that are permitted to be reimbursed under this section. All financial statements or reports of the board shall be prepared according to generally accepted accounting principles.

(C) Before any duties devolve upon a county auditor or a county treasurer under this chapter, the board of directors shall consult the auditor or treasurer and agree upon the salaries for the extra clerical force required in each officer's respective office to carry out the requirements of the law by reason of the establishment of the district. The board of directors shall provide for and pay the agreed upon salaries to those clerks while engaged in the work of the district. The clerks shall be selected and appointed by each of those county officers for their respective offices. In case of disagreement as to the compensation of the extra clerical force, the matter shall be referred to the court for its determination.

Section 6115.66 | Land in more than one sanitary district.
 

The same land, if conducive to public health, safety, convenience, or welfare, may be included in more than one sanitary district and be subject to sections 6115.01 to 6115.79, inclusive, of the Revised Code, for each district in which it may be included. No district shall be organized under such sections in whole or in part within the territory of a district already organized under such sections until the court determines whether the public health, safety, convenience, or welfare demand the organization of an additional district, or whether it demands that the territory proposed to be organized into an additional district shall be added to the existing district. If the proceedings concerning two or more such districts are before the court of common pleas of two or more counties, such determination shall be as provided in section 6115.67 of the Revised Code.

Section 6115.67 | Conflicts in jurisdiction.
 

In case any sanitary district is being organized within, or partly within and partly without, the same territory in which some other district has been or is being organized, one judge of the court of common pleas of each county in which such districts have been or are being organized shall confer at the earliest convenient moment after they ascertain the possibility of a conflict in jurisdiction, the sitting to be had in the county having the largest assessed valuation in the proposed district.

At such conference, the several judges shall determine to what extent the several districts should be consolidated or to what extent the boundaries should be adjusted in order to most fully carry out the purposes of sections 6115.01 to 6115.79, inclusive, of the Revised Code. Such judges shall by suitable orders make such determination effective. If notices have been issued or jurisdiction acquired in any proceeding concerning territory which is transferred to the court of common pleas of another county, such notice shall not become void and jurisdiction so acquired shall not be lost; but in each case the court acquiring jurisdiction over such transferred territory shall hold the same without further notice, as if originally embraced in said district. At such conference the decision of the majority of the judges shall be final.

This section and section 6115.66 of the Revised Code do not operate to delay or to interrupt any proceeding under sections 6115.01 to 6115.79, inclusive, of the Revised Code, until the question of jurisdiction has been finally determined.

Section 6115.68 | Union of districts.
 

(A) If two or more sanitary districts have been organized in a territory which, in the opinion of the board of directors of the sanitary district of either of the districts, should constitute only one district, the board of any of the districts may petition the court for an order uniting the districts into a single district. The petition shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the court of common pleas of that county which has the greatest valuation of real property within the districts sought to be included, as shown by the tax duplicates of the respective counties. The petition shall set forth the necessity for the union of the two or more districts and that the union of the districts would be conducive to the public health, convenience, safety, or welfare and to the economical execution of the purposes for which the districts were organized. Upon receipt of the petition, the clerk shall give notice by publication or by personal service to the boards of the districts which it is desired to unite with the district of the petitioners. The notice shall contain the time and place where the hearing on the petition will be had and the purpose of the same. The hearing shall be had in accordance with sections 6115.01 to 6115.79 of the Revised Code, as for an original hearing. If after the hearing the court finds that the averments of the petition are true and that the districts, or any of them, should be united, it shall so order, and thereafter such districts shall be united into one and proceed as such. The court shall designate the corporate name of the united district, and such further proceedings shall be taken as are provided for in such sections. Except as provided in division (B) of this section, the court shall direct in such order who shall be the members of the board of the united district, who shall thereafter have such powers and be subject to such regulations as are provided for the board in districts created in the first instance. All legal proceedings already instituted by or against any of such constituent districts may be revived and continued against the united district by an order of court substituting the name of the united district for such constituent district, and the proceedings shall then proceed as provided in such sections.

Instead of organizing a new district from the constituent districts, the court may direct that one or more of the districts described in the petition be included into another of the districts which other district shall continue under its original corporate name and, except as provided in division (B) of this section, its original organization; or, except as provided in division (B) of this section, it may direct that the districts so absorbed shall be represented on the board of the original district, designating what members of the board of the original district shall be retired from the new board and what members representing the included districts shall take their places; or it may direct that the included districts shall become subdistricts of the main district. If the districts sought to be united were organized in different counties, then the court to determine the question involved shall consist of one judge from each of the counties in the court of which one of the districts was organized, and the decision of the majority of the judges shall be final. No action under this section shall interrupt or delay any proceeding under sections 6115.01 to 6115.79 of the Revised Code, until the questions involved are finally determined.

(B) If the court organizes a new district wholly for the reduction of populations of biting arthropods by uniting two or more districts organized wholly for such purpose, the advisory council appointed under division (C) of section 6115.102 of the Revised Code shall, within sixty days after the court orders the union, appoint the members of the board of directors of the united district and designate their terms in the manner prescribed in section 6115.101 of the Revised Code. If the court directs that one or more districts organized wholly for such purpose be included in another district wholly organized for such purpose, the advisory council appointed under division (C) of section 6115.102 of the Revised Code shall, within sixty days after the court directs such inclusion, select from among the members of the boards of directors of the original district and the districts so absorbed a board of five members and designate their terms in the manner prescribed in section 6115.101 of the Revised Code.

Section 6115.69 | Subdistricts established and organized.
 

Whenever it is desired to construct improvements wholly within or partly within and partly without any sanitary district, which improvements will affect only a part of said district, for the purpose of accomplishing such work, subdistricts may be organized upon petition of the owners of real property within or partly within and partly without the district. Such petition shall fulfill the same requirements concerning the subdistricts as the petition outlined in section 6115.05 of the Revised Code is required to fulfill concerning the organization of the main district, shall be filed with the clerk of the same court of common pleas, and shall be accompanied by a bond as provided for in section 6115.06 of the Revised Code. All proceedings relating to the organization of such subdistricts shall conform in all things to sections 6115.01 to 6115.79, inclusive, of the Revised Code, relating to the organization of districts. Whenever the court by its order entered of record decrees such subdistricts to be organized, the clerk of said court shall thereupon give notice of such order to the board of directors of the sanitary district, which shall thereupon act also as the board of directors of the subdistrict. Thereafter, the proceedings in reference to the subdistrict shall in all matters conform to such sections; except that in appraisal of benefits and damages for the purposes of such subdistricts, in the issuance of bonds, in the levying of assessments or taxes, and in all other matters affecting only the subdistrict, such sections shall apply to this subdistrict as though it were an independent district, and it shall not, in these things, be amalgamated with the main district.

The board of directors, board of appraisers, chief engineer, attorney, secretary of the sanitary district, and other officers, agents, and employees of the district shall, so far as it is necessary, serve in the same capacity for such subdistricts, and contracts and agreements between the main district and the subdistrict may be made in the same manner as contracts and agreements between two districts. The distribution of administrative expense between the main district and subdistrict shall be in proportion to the interests involved and the amount of service rendered. Such division shall be made by the board of directors with an appeal to the court establishing the district. This section does not prevent the organization of independent districts for local improvements under other laws within the limits of a district organized under sections 6115.01 to 6115.79, inclusive, of the Revised Code, as provided in sections 6115.66 and 6115.67 of the Revised Code.

Section 6115.70 | Remedies for injuries.
 

If any person or public corporation, within or without any sanitary district, considers itself injuriously affected in any manner by an act performed by any official or agent of such district, or by the execution, maintenance, or operation of the official plan, and if no other method of relief is offered under sections 6115.01 to 6115.79, inclusive, of the Revised Code, the remedy shall be as follows:

The person or public corporation considering itself to be injuriously affected shall petition the court before which said district was organized for an appraisal of damages sufficient to compensate for such injuries. The court shall thereupon direct the board of appraisers of the sanitary district to appraise said damages and injuries, and to make a report to the court on or before the time named in the order of the court. Upon the filing of said report of the board of appraisers, the court shall cause notice to be given to the petitioner and to the board of directors of the sanitary district of a hearing on said report. At the time of such hearing, the court shall consider the report of the board of appraisers, and may ratify said report or amend it as the court deems equitable, or may return it to the board of appraisers and require it to prepare a new report. Upon the filing of an order of the court approving said report of the board of appraisers, with such modifications as it has made, said order constitutes a final adjudication of the matter unless it is appealed from within twenty days. Appeal to a jury from said order may be had by the petitioner, by the board of directors, or by any person or corporation which has been assessed for the costs of the district. No damages shall be allowed under this section which would not otherwise be allowed in law.

Section 6115.71 | Protection of district works.
 

The board of directors of a sanitary district may police the works of the district, and in times of great emergency may compel assistance in the protection of such works. The board may prevent persons, vehicles, or livestock from passing over the works of the district in any manner which would result in damage thereto.

Section 6115.72 | Removal of officers or employees.
 

Any director, appraiser, member of the advisory council, or other officer or employee of any sanitary district may be removed for or without cause at any time by the authority appointing him, except that any director appointed by the advisory council of a district shall be removed only for cause.

Section 6115.73 | Enforcement by mandamus.
 

The performance of all duties prescribed in sections 6115.01 to 6115.79, inclusive, of the Revised Code, concerning the organization and administration or operation of the sanitary district may be enforced against any officer or against any person or corporation refusing to comply with any order of the board of directors of the sanitary district by mandamus at the instance of the board or of any person or public corporation interested in any way in such district or proposed district. The board may institute such proceedings in the court of appeals in the first instance.

Section 6115.74 | Correction of defective notice.
 

In any case where a notice is provided for in sections 6115.01 to 6115.79, inclusive, of the Revised Code, if the court finds for any reason that due notice was not given, the court shall not thereby lose jurisdiction, and the proceeding in question shall not thereby be void; but the court shall in that case order due notice to be given, and shall continue the hearing until such time as such notice is properly given, and thereupon shall proceed as though notice had been properly given in the first instance.

In case any individual appraisal, assessment, or levy is held void for want of legal notice, or in case the board of directors of the sanitary district determines that any notice with reference to any land is faulty, then the board may file a motion in the original cause asking that the court order notice to be given to the owner of such land and set a time for hearing as provided in such sections. If the original notice as a whole was sufficient and was faulty only with reference to publication as to certain tracts, only the owners of and persons interested in those particular tracts need be notified by such subsequent notice. If the publication of any notice in any county was defective or not made in time, publication of the defective notice is necessary only in the county in which the defect occurred.

Section 6115.75 | Question of the validity of the organization of sanitary districts.
 

All cases in which there arises a question of the validity of the organization of sanitary districts shall be advanced as a matter of immediate public interest and concern, and heard in all courts at the earliest practicable moment.

The court shall be open at all times for the purposes of sections 6115.01 to 6115.79, inclusive, of the Revised Code.

Section 6115.77 | Liability for damages to district works.
 

(A) All persons and corporations shall be liable for damage done to works of a sanitary district by themselves, their agents, their employees, or by their livestock.

(B) No person shall willfully damage any works of a sanitary district. Whoever violates this division of this section shall be liable for all damages and costs.

The board of directors of the sanitary district may repair such damage at the expense of the person or corporation committing it.

Section 6115.79 | Substantial requirements for forms.
 

The following forms illustrate the character of the procedure contemplated by this chapter, and if substantially complied with, those things being changed which should be changed to meet the requirements of the particular case, such procedure shall be held to meet the requirements of this chapter.

(A) Form of Notice of Hearing on the Petition:

"To All Persons Interested:

Public Notice is Hereby Given:

(1) That on the __________ day of ______________, ____, pursuant to The Sanitary District Law of Ohio, there was filed in the office of the Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of _____________ County, Ohio, the petition of ______________________ and others for the establishment of a Sanitary District to be known as ____________________ Sanitary District. (Here insert the purposes.)

(2) That the lands sought to be included in the District comprise lands in __________________ and __________________ Counties, Ohio, described substantially as follows:

Beginning on the north line of ______________________ County at its point of intersection with the west bank of the ____________ River; thence west along the north line of ____________ County to the high bluffs facing the ____________ River on the west; thence following the base of the line of said bluffs to the north line of the right-of-way of the ______________________ Railroad; thence west along the north right-of-way line of the Railroad to the center line of ________________ Avenue in the Village of __________________; thence south along the center line of ________________ Avenue to the ________________ Pike; thence southeasterly along the ________________ Pike to the southeasterly line of the right-of-way of the ________________ Railroad; thence southeasterly along the right-of-way line to the corporate limits of the City of ________________; thence with the corporation line southerly, easterly, and northerly to the southerly right-of-way line of the main track of the ________________ Railroad; thence easterly along the last named right-of-way line to the boundary line between ________________ Counties; thence north along the County line to the southerly line of _________________ County; thence easterly along the dividing line between ________________ Counties to the easterly line of the right-of-way of the ________________ Railroad; thence northerly along the right-of-way line to its intersection with the ________________ Pike; thence westerly along the Pike to the center line of the bridge over ________________ Creek; thence up the Creek and along the center line thereof to the north line of ______________ County; thence west to the place of beginning.

Or, if found more convenient, the lands sought to be included in the District may be described as follows:

All of Township ________________ in Range ________________ between the ________________ Railroad and the __________________ River; the following lands in __________ Township and ___________ Range; Section __________ and the ________________ half of Section ________________; also all lands within the corporate limits of the City of __________________ etc.

(3) That a public hearing on the petition will be had in said Court on __________ the ____________ day of ____________, ____, at the hour of ________ o'clock ______M. by the Court of Common Pleas of ____________________ County, at the Courthouse in the City of __________________, __________________ County, Ohio.

All persons and public corporations owning or interested in real estate within the territory hereinbefore described will be given the opportunity to be heard at the time and place above specified

___________________________________

Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas

of __________________ County, Ohio.

Dated ________________, Ohio, ________________, ____"

(B) Form of Finding on Hearing:

"State of Ohio, )

) ss.

_____________County )

In the Court of Common Pleas ____________ County.

In the Matter of

________________ Sanitary District:

FINDINGS AND DECREE ON HEARING.

On this ____________ day of ________________, 19____, this cause coming on for hearing on the petition of ______________ and others, for the organization of a Sanitary District under the Sanitary District Law of Ohio, the Court, after a full hearing now here finds:

(1) That it has jurisdiction of the parties to and the subject matter of this proceeding.

(2) That the purposes for which said District is established are:

(Insert the purposes.)

And that it is a public necessity.

(3) That the public safety, health, convenience, and welfare will be promoted by the organization of a Sanitary District substantially as prayed in the petition (if additional lands are added by petition), except that the following additional lands at the petition of the owners thereof should be and hereby are included in the District:

(Here insert additional lands.)

(4) That the boundaries of the District as modified by the last finding herein are as follows:

(Here insert corrected boundaries of district.)

(5) That the territory last above described should be erected into and created a Sanitary District under the Sanitary District Law of Ohio under the corporate name of ________________ Sanitary District.

Wherefore, it is by the Court ordered, adjudged, and decreed:

That the territory as above described be, and the same hereby is erected into and created a Sanitary District under the Sanitary District Law of Ohio under the corporate name of ________________ Sanitary District, with its office or principal place of business at ________________, in ________________ County, Ohio. (If directors are appointed at the same time.) And the following persons are hereby appointed directors of the Sanitary District:

________________ for the term of three years,

________________ for the term of five years,

________________ for the term of seven years,

who are hereby directed to qualify and proceed according to law.

(6) For consideration of other matters herein, this cause is retained on the docket.

____________________________ Judge"

(C) Form of Notice to Property Owners to Pay Assessment:

"__________________ Sanitary District.

To All Persons Interested:

Public Notice is Hereby Given:

(1) That on the ________________ day of ________________, ____, the Board of Directors of ________________ Sanitary District duly levied for the account of the Bond Fund of said District an assessment upon all the property in the District in the aggregate sum of $________________, has caused the same to be extended upon the assessment duplicate of said District, and that the assessment duplicate is now in process of collection by the County Treasurer of the County in which the lands are situated.

(2) That the entire assessment against any parcel of land may be paid at any time on or prior to ________________, ____, without costs and without interest.

(3) That as soon after the ________ day of ______________, ____, as conveniently may be, the Board of Directors of the District will divide the uncollected portion of the assessment into convenient installments and will issue bonds bearing interest not exceeding the rate provided in section 9.95 of the Revised Code in anticipation of the collection of the several installments of said assessment, pursuant to the Sanitary District Law of Ohio.

______________________________________

President

______________________________________

Secretary"

(D) Form of Notice of Enlargement of District:

"State of Ohio )

) ss.

County of ______________ )

In the Court of Common Pleas

_____________________ County, Ohio

In the Matter of

_______________ Sanitary District:

NOTICE OF ENLARGEMENT OF DISTRICT.

To All Persons (and Public Corporations, if any) Interested:

Public Notice is Hereby Given:

(1) That heretofore on the ______ day of _____________, ___, the Court of Common Pleas of _________ County, Ohio, duly entered a final decree erecting and creating ___________________ Sanitary District and appointing a Board of Directors therefor.

(2) That thereafter this Court duly appointed

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

to be the Board of Appraisers for said District. That the Board of Appraisers on the _____ day of __________, ____, filed its report recommending that the following described lands, not originally included in the District, be added thereto: (Here describe generally the lands which the Report of the Board of Appraisers recommends should be added to the District.)

(3) That on _________, the _______ day of _______________, ____, (or as soon thereafter as the convenience of the Court will permit), at the Courthouse in _________ of ________________, Ohio, the Court of Common Pleas of __________ County, Ohio, will hear all persons and public corporations, who are owners of or interested in the property described in this notice upon the question whether the lands should be added to and included in the ________________ Sanitary District.

__________________________________

Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of

____________________ County, Ohio"

(E) Form of Notice of Hearing on Appraisals:

"State of Ohio )

) ss.

County of ______________ )

In the Court of Common Pleas

______________ County, Ohio"

In the matter of

"_______________________" Sanitary District:

NOTICE OF HEARING ON APPRAISALS.

To All Persons and Public Corporations Interested:

Public Notice is Hereby Given:

(1) That heretofore on the ______ day of _________, ___, the Court of Common Pleas of ___________ County, Ohio, duly entered a decree, erecting and creating _______________ Sanitary District and appointing a Board of Directors therefor.

(2) That thereafter this Court duly appointed

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

the Board of Appraisers for said District. That the Board of Appraisers on the ______ day of ____________, ____, filed its Appraisal of Benefits and Damages and of land to be taken as follows: (Here insert general description of land appraised.)

The appraisal of benefits and damages and of land to be taken is now on file in the office of the clerk of this court.

(3) All public corporations and all persons, owners of or interested in the property described in the Report, whether as benefited property or as property taken and damaged (whether the taken or damaged property lies within or without the District), desiring to contest the appraisals as made and returned by the Board of Appraisers, must file their objections in the court on or before the ______ day of __________, ____, (here insert a date ten (10) days after the last publication of the notice) and a hearing on the appraisal will be had on the _____ day of _________, ____, (here insert a date not less than twenty (20), nor more than thirty (30), days after the date of the last publication of this notice, as fixed by the court) in the City of ____________, Ohio, at which time an opportunity will be afforded all objectors to be heard upon their several objections.

__________________________________

Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas

of __________________ County, Ohio.

Dated at the City of ____________, Ohio, this ______ day of _______________, _____"

(F) Form of Certificate of Levy of Assessments:

"State of Ohio )

)

County of _______________)

To the Auditor of _________________ County, Ohio:

This is to certify that by virtue and under the authority of the Sanitary District Law of Ohio, the Board of Directors of ____________ Sanitary District have and do hereby levy the sum of ____________ Dollars for the account of the Bond Fund of said District, which assessment bears interest as provided by law and is payable in installments as follows: (Here insert.)

You are further notified that for the account of the Maintenance Fund for the year _____, this Board has levied the sum of ____________ Dollars.

The amounts of the levies upon the several parcels of land upon which the same are imposed are set forth upon the schedule hereunto attached, marked ____________ Sanitary District Assessment Book. The assessments shall be collectible and payable the present year in the sums therein specified at the same time that the state and county taxes are due and collectible, and you are directed and ordered to require the Treasurer of _________ County, Ohio, to demand and collect such assessments at the time that the treasurer demands and collects the state and county taxes due on the same lands, and this Sanitary District Assessment Book shall be your authority and the authority of the Treasurer to make such collection.

Witness the signature of the President of the Board of Directors, attested by the seal of said corporation, and the signature of its Secretary, this _____ day of __________, ____

_______________________________

President.

_______________________________

Secretary"

Last updated October 24, 2022 at 9:21 AM

Section 6115.99 | Penalty.
 

(A) Whoever violates division (B) of section 6115.17 of the Revised Code shall be fined not more than fifty dollars.

(B) Whoever violates section 6115.24 of the Revised Code shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars.

(C) Whoever violates division (B) of section 6115.77 of the Revised Code shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars.