Chapter 735 | Public Service

Section
Section 735.01 \| Director of public service - qualifications - powers. Effective: September 6, 1965 Latest Legislation: House Bill 358 - 106th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF In each city there shall be a department of public service which shall be administered by a director of public service. The director shall be appointed by the mayor and need not be a resident of the city at the time of his appointment but shall become a resident thereof within six months after his appointment unless such residence requirement is waived by ordinance. He shall make rules and regulations for the administration of the affairs under his supervision.
Section 735.02 \| General duties - records. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The director of public service shall manage and supervise all public works and undertakings of the city, except as otherwise provided by law. The director shall supervise the improvement and repair of streets, avenues, alleys, lands, lanes, squares, wharves, docks, landings, market houses, bridges, viaducts, aqueducts, sidewalks, playgrounds sewers, drains, ditches, culverts, ship channels, streams, and watercourses, the lighting, sprinkling, and cleaning of public places, and the construction of public improvements and public works, except those having reference to the department of public safety, or as otherwise provided in Title VII of the Revised Code. The director shall manage municipal water, lighting, heating, power, garbage, and other undertakings of the city, and parks, baths, playgrounds, market houses, cemeteries, crematories, sewage disposal plants, and farms, and shall make and preserve surveys, maps, plans, drawings, and estimates. He shall supervise the construction and have charge of the maintenance of public buildings and other property of the city not otherwise provided for in Title VII. He shall have the management of all other matters provided by the legislative authority of the city in connection with the public service thereof. Such director shall keep a record of his proceedings, a copy of which, certified by him, shall be competent evidence in all courts.
Section 735.03 \| Management and operation of municipally owned public utilities by board. Effective: March 20, 2019 Latest Legislation: House Bill 291 - 132nd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Whenever the legislative authority of any city, by ordinance, declares it essential to the best interests of such city, the duties relating to the management and operation of municipally owned public utilities conferred upon the director of public service by sections 735.02 and 743.03 of the Revised Code shall be vested in a board composed of three members. The mayor, with the consent of the legislative authority, shall appoint one member for a term of two years, one for a term of four years, and one for a term of six years. At the expiration of each term of office an appointment shall be made for a term of six years. In case of vacancy by death, resignation, or removal from the city of a member of such board, the mayor, with the consent of the legislative authority, shall immediately appoint a successor to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term. The legislative authority shall designate the compensation to be paid to said members, their duties, authority, and powers. Except as otherwise provided in section 3.061 of the Revised Code, the legislative authority shall determine whether such members shall be required to give bond, and, if so, in what amount. The cost of any required bond shall be borne by the city.
Section 735.04 \| Subdepartment - employment of superintendents, inspectors, clerks, and laborers. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The director of public service may establish such subdepartment as is necessary and determine the number of superintendents, deputies, inspectors, engineers, harbor masters, clerks, laborers, and other persons necessary for the execution of the work and the performance of the duties of this subdepartment.
Section 735.05 \| Contracts, material, and labor. Effective: October 3, 2023 Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The director of public service may make any contract, purchase supplies or material, or provide labor for any work under the supervision of the department of public service involving not more than the amount specified in section 9.17 of the Revised Code. When an expenditure within the department, other than the compensation of persons employed in the department, exceeds the amount specified in section 9.17 of the Revised Code, the expenditure shall first be authorized and directed by ordinance of the city legislative authority. When so authorized and directed, except where the contract is for equipment, services, materials, or supplies to be purchased under division (D) of section 713.23 or section 125.04 or 5513.01 of the Revised Code or available from a qualified nonprofit agency pursuant to sections 4115.31 to 4115.35 of the Revised Code, the director shall make a written contract with the lowest and best bidder after advertisement for not less than two nor more than four consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation within the city or as provided in section 7.16 of the Revised Code. No expenditure subject to this section shall be divided into component parts, separate projects, or separate items of work in order to avoid the requirements of this section. Last updated September 25, 2023 at 2:48 PM
Section 735.051 \| Emergency conditions obviate formal bidding and advertising for contracts. Effective: November 5, 1965 Latest Legislation: House Bill 360 - 106th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF In the case of a real and present emergency arising in connection with the operation and maintenance of the department of public service, including all municipally owned utilities, the department of public safety, or any other department, division, commission, bureau, or board of the municipality, the legislative authority of the municipality may by a two-thirds vote of all the members elected thereto, authorize the director of public service, director of public safety, city manager, board of public affairs, or other duly authorized contracting officer, commission, board, or authority, to enter into a contract for work to be done or for the purchase of supplies or materials without formal bidding and advertising.
Section 735.052 \| Purchasing used equipment without bidding. Effective: October 30, 1969 Latest Legislation: House Bill 380 - 108th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The legislative authority of any city or village may authorize, by ordinance, the director of public service, director of public safety, mayor, city manager, board of trustees of public affairs, village administrator, or other duly authorized contracting officer, commission, board, or authority to enter into a contract, without advertising and bidding, for the purchase of used equipment or supplies at an auction open to the public, or at a sale at which such used equipment or supplies are to be sold upon submission of written bids to the vendor thereof where the vendor has invited the public to submit written bids or when more than one bid is submitted. The ordinance authorizing such contracts shall: (A) Designate the officer, commission, board, or other contracting authority authorized to make such contract; (B) Set forth the maximum amount that may be bid as the purchase price for such used equipment or supplies; (C) Describe the type of used equipment or supplies that may be purchased; (D) Appropriate sufficient funds to meet the maximum amount that may be bid as the purchase price for such used equipment or supplies, unless funds have previously been appropriated and remain unencumbered for such purpose.
Section 735.053 \| Purchasing from other political subdivision without bidding. Effective: April 13, 1990 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 254 - 118th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The legislative authority of any city or village may authorize, by ordinance, the director of public service, director of public safety, mayor, city manager, board of trustees of public affairs, village administrator, or other duly authorized contracting officer, commission, board, or authority to enter into a contract, without advertising and bidding, for services or the purchase of materiel, equipment, or supplies from any department, division, agency, or political subdivision of the state, or with a regional planning commission pursuant to division (D) of section 713.23 of the Revised Code. The ordinance authorizing such contracts shall: (A) Designate the officer, commission, board, or other contracting authority authorized to make such contract; (B) Set forth the maximum amount that may be paid as the purchase price for such services, materiel, equipment, or supplies; (C) Describe the type of services, materiel, equipment, or supplies that may be purchased; (D) Appropriate sufficient funds to meet the maximum amount that may be paid as the purchase price for such services, materiel, equipment, or supplies, unless funds have previously been appropriated and remain unencumbered for such purpose.
Section 735.054 \| Municipal corporations contract requirements. Effective: June 30, 2010 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 85 - 128th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Notwithstanding sections 715.18, 731.14, 731.141, 733.22, and 735.05 of the Revised Code, any municipal corporation that may be required by law to award contracts in the manner set forth in such sections 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 735.06 \| Proceedings on opening of bids. Effective: October 1, 1987 Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 117th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Bids for work under the supervision of the department of public service shall be opened at the time, date, and place specified in the notice to bidders or specifications and shall be publicly read by the director of public service or a person designated by him. The time, place, and date of bid openings may be extended to a later date by the director of public service, provided that written or oral notice of the change shall be given to all persons who have received or requested specifications no later than ninety-six hours prior to the original time and date fixed for the opening. Each bid shall contain the full name of each person interested in it and shall be accompanied by a sufficient bond or certified check, cashier's check, or money order on a solvent bank or savings and loan association that if the bid is accepted a contract will be entered into and its performance properly secured unless the bid is for a contract for the construction, demolition, alteration, repair, or reconstruction of a public improvement, in which case it shall meet the requirements of section 153.54 of the Revised Code. If the work bid embraces both labor and material, such items shall be separately stated with the price thereof. The director may reject any bid. Where there is reason to believe there is collusion or combination among bidders, the bids of those concerned therein shall be rejected.
Section 735.07 \| Contract - alterations or modifications. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The contract referred to by section 735.05 of the Revised Code shall be between the city and the bidder, and the city shall pay the contract price in cash. Where a bonus is offered for completion of a contract prior to a specified date, the department of public service may exact a prorated penalty in like sum for every day of delay beyond a specified date. When, in the opinion of the director of public service, it becomes necessary, in the prosecution of any work or improvement under contract, to make alterations or modifications in the contract, such alterations or modifications shall only be made upon the order of the director, but such order shall be of no effect until the price to be paid for the work and material or both, under the altered or modified contract, has been agreed upon in writing and signed by the director on behalf of the city and the contractor, and approved by the board of control. No contractor may recover anything for work or material because of any such alteration or modification unless the contract is made in such manner, nor shall he be allowed or recover for such work and material, or either, more than the agreed price. The law relating to the requiring bids and the awarding of contracts for public buildings, and improvements, so far as it applies, shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 735.074 \| Schedule of payments. Effective: August 27, 1976 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 330 - 111th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The amounts and time of payments of any contract made by a city or village, or any board, commission, or agency thereof, shall be governed by sections 153.13 and 153.14 of the Revised Code.
Section 735.08 \| Director of public service may contract for furnishing water power. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF In a city in which a water works, electric light plant, artificial or natural gas plant, or other similar public utility is owned by the city, the director of public service, with the consent of the legislative authority thereof, may enter into and contract with the owners of any power plant or of any hydraulic or other natural or artificial watercourse to furnish power for the propelling of machinery in the water works, electric light plant, artificial or natural gas plant, or other similar public utility of the city, or acquire such power privileges by purchase or transfer from others owning such rights. For the purpose of carrying such contracts or leases into effect the director may enter into such contracts for any term of years, and sections 735.05 to 735.07, inclusive, of the Revised Code, do not apply.
Section 735.09 \| Execution of contracts. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF All contracts made by the director of public service shall be executed by him in the name of the city, one copy of which shall be filed in his office and one with the city auditor. No liability shall be created against the city as to any matters under the supervision of such director except by his express authority. No director of public service or officer or employee of his department shall be interested in any contract under his supervision.
Section 735.10 \| Appointment of commission to erect and furnish city hall. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When a city has in contemplation the building of, or is in the process of constructing or furnishing, a city hall, the director of public service may employ five citizens of such city, to be named by him, not more than three of whom shall belong to the same political party, who shall constitute a commission, under his supervision and direction, to procure the necessary land for the construction or to furnish such city hall. The members of the commission shall each receive such compensation, not to exceed five dollars each per meeting, as the director fixes, but such compensation shall in no case exceed twelve hundred dollars per annum each, which, together with the expenses of the members, shall be paid in the same manner as the cost of such city hall. Such commission shall select a president from its members, and may appoint a clerk and other necessary employees, and, subject to the approval of the director, fix their compensation.
Section 735.11 \| Powers and duties of city hall commission. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Subject to the approval of the director of public service, the commission appointed under section 735.10 of the Revised Code may acquire in the name of the city, by purchase or appropriation, land for city hall purposes, and may employ architects and approve plans and specifications. It shall make, in the name of the city, all contracts necessary for the construction and furnishing of such city hall, which shall be made after advertisement and bidding as provided by sections 735.05 to 735.09, inclusive, of the Revised Code, and shall be subject to the approval of the director. The commission shall keep a full record of its proceedings.
Section 735.12 \| Appointment of commission to construct market house. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When a city has a market house or public hall in connection therewith in contemplation or in process of construction, the director of public service may employ three citizens of the city, to be named by him, who shall constitute a commission. Each person so appointed shall receive such compensation, not to exceed five dollars for each meeting attended by him, as the director fixes, which shall in no case exceed twelve hundred dollars per annum. The compensation and expenses of the members of the commission shall be paid in the same manner as the cost of such buildings. Such commission may appoint a secretary and other necessary employees, and, subject to the approval of the director, fix their compensation.
Section 735.13 \| Powers and duties of commission to build market house. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Subject to the approval of the director of public service, the commission appointed under section 735.12 of the Revised Code may contract in the name of the city for and supervise the building and furnishing of a market house or public hall in connection therewith, and acquire the necessary lands for such purpose, by purchase or appropriation, in the name of the city. The commission shall adopt plans and specifications for erecting, building, and furnishing such market house or public hall.
Section 735.14 \| Erection of public buildings. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When a city, or the county in which such city is located, has in contemplation or in process of construction, buildings for public, municipal, or county purposes within the boundaries of such city, the director of public service may employ three persons, to be named by him, at least two of whom shall be architects. Such persons shall be employed at a salary not to exceed five thousand dollars per annum each, to be fixed by the director and paid by the city from the general fund.
Section 735.15 \| Duties of persons appointed to locate and erect certain public buildings. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Under the supervision of the director of public service, persons under section 735.14 of the Revised Code shall have control of the location of public, municipal, or county buildings to be erected on ground acquired within the limits of the city, and of the size, height, style, and general appearance of such buildings. All plans and specifications for the erection thereof shall be submitted to and approved by them before adoption by the authority engaged in such construction.
Section 735.16 \| Commission to construct, rebuild, and combine public utilities. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When a city has in contemplation the construction or rebuilding of a public hall, municipal water-works system, municipal electric lighting system, or the rebuilding in whole or in part and combining of a municipal water-works system and a municipal electric lighting system, the mayor of such city may appoint a commission consisting of the mayor, the director of public service, and three electors of the city, subject to the approval of the board of control of such city. Such commissioners may, in the name of the city, contract for and supervise the building, or rebuilding and furnishing of such city hall, or the building, rebuilding, furnishing, and equipping of such municipal water-works system or municipal electric lighting system, or the rebuilding in whole or in part and combining of such municipal water-works system with a municipal electric lighting system, and subject to like approval, may acquire the necessary lands for such purpose, either by purchase or appropriation, in the name of the city. The commission shall adopt plans and specifications for erecting, building, and furnishing such public hall, or for the building, furnishing, and equipping of such municipal water-works system, municipal electric lighting system, or rebuilding the same, or for the rebuilding in whole or in part and combining of a municipal water-works system, with a municipal electric lighting system. Such commission may appoint a secretary and other necessary employees, and, subject to the approval of the legislative authority of the city, fix their compensation. The commission shall serve without compensation. The expenses of the commission shall be paid in the same manner as the cost of such public hall or public utilities. Except as provided in this section, the making of and terms of all contracts for the construction, furnishing, and equipping of such public hall, municipal water-works system, municipal electric lighting system, or the rebuilding in whole or in part and combining of any municipal water-works system with a municipal electric lighting system, shall be governed by the laws relating to public buildings in cities.
Section 735.17 \| Platting commissioner. Effective: July 24, 1990 Latest Legislation: House Bill 563 - 118th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The director of public service shall be the platting commissioner of the city, and shall provide regulations governing the platting of all lands to require all streets and alleys to be the proper width and coterminous with adjoining streets and alleys. Whenever the legislative authority of such city deems it expedient to plat any portion of the territory within the city in which the necessary or convenient streets or alleys have not already been accepted by the city so as to become public streets, or when any person plats any lands within three miles of the city, the commissioner shall, if such plats are in accordance with the rules prescribed by him, endorse his written approval on such plat. The commissioner shall not require any person to alter a plat or any part of it as a condition for approval, as long as the plat is in accordance with the platting regulations provided for in this section in effect at the time the plat was submitted. No plat of such land is entitled to record in the office of the county recorder without such written approval so endorsed thereon. The approval of the platting commissioner of a city shall not be required, unless such city is the nearest to the land sought to be allotted.
Section 735.18 \| Employment of engineer and assistants. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When acting as the platting commissioner, the director of public service may employ an engineer and such assistants as he finds necessary, and fix their salaries within limits to be prescribed by the legislative authority of the city.
Section 735.19 \| Powers and duties of platting commissioner. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The platting commissioner shall cause a plat to be made of the territory which he is ordered to lay out, as soon as it can be conveniently done, showing the location of the streets and alleys already dedicated, and those proposed. For the purpose of making the necessary surveys, such commissioner may enter upon all property within the limits of the city.
Section 735.20 \| Notice of completion of plans. Effective: September 29, 2011 Latest Legislation: House Bill 153 - 129th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When a whole plan, or any portion thereof, as provided in section 735.19 of the Revised Code is completed, or when the location of any avenue, street, roadway, or alley has been finally determined by the platting commissioner of a city, a plat of the plan, avenue, street, roadway, or alley shall be placed in the office of the city engineer for the inspection of persons interested, and notice that it is ready for inspection shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation within the city, for six consecutive weeks, or as provided in section 7.16 of the Revised Code.
Section 735.21 \| Objections to plans - alterations. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The platting commissioner of a city, at least once each week during the six-weeks period provided under section 735.20 of the Revised Code, at the time and place stated in the advertisement, and at such other times and places as he deems proper, shall hear any objections that are made against any portion of the plat, or the location of any avenue, street, roadway, or alley, and such alterations may be made as he deems proper.
Section 735.22 \| Copies of plans to be deposited. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF At the end of the six-weeks period provided by section 735.20 of the Revised Code, the platting commissioner shall cause copies of the plat as finally adopted to be prepared and such monuments or marks as he thinks proper to be placed on the grounds. He shall deposit one copy, certified to by him, in the office of the county recorder, and another in the office of the city engineer, and such plan shall be deemed to be the regularly adopted plan for streets and alleys in such territory.
Section 735.23 \| Effect of platting. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF No streets or alleys, except those laid out on a plan made by the platting commissioner pursuant to sections 735.19 to 735.22, inclusive, of the Revised Code, shall subsequently be in any way accepted as public streets or alleys by the city, nor shall any of the public funds be expended in the improvement or repair of streets or alleys subsequently laid out and not on such plat, but any city may exercise the power of condemnation in any case in which it may condemn and appropriate property to public use, although it is not shown as a street on such plat.
Section 735.24 \| Acceptance of plan by owner - dedication of streets. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The owners of any portion of the ground platted under section 735.19 to 735.23, inclusive, of the Revised Code, by a declaration of their intention to do so, properly acknowledged and recorded in the county recorder's office, may at any time accept such plan so far as it concerns their property. Such acceptance, or the selling of lots referring to the plan or to the streets and alleys therein laid out, shall be a statutory dedication of the streets and alleys in the property described in the acceptance, or of the streets or alleys called for in the description of the lots so sold, so far as the grantor has a right to dedicate them.
Section 735.25 \| Joint platting commission by adjoining municipal corporations. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When municipal corporations adjoin each other, the legislative authorities thereof may agree, in any manner they determine, upon the appointment of a joint commission for the purposes of sections 735.17 to 735.24, inclusive, of the Revised Code. Such commission, when appointed, shall have all the power over the territory of the municipal corporations described in the resolutions of the legislative authorities thereof that is given by such sections to a commissioner appointed by a single legislative authority.
Section 735.26 \| Amendment of plans. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Plans made under sections 735.19 to 735.24, inclusive, of the Revised Code, may be amended after adoption, by like proceedings by which they were originally adopted.
Section 735.27 \| Care, supervision, and management of public institutions in villages. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The legislative authority of a village shall provide by resolution or ordinance for the care, supervision, and management of all public parks, baths, libraries, market houses, crematories, sewage disposal plants, houses of refuge and correction, workhouses, infirmaries, hospitals, pesthouses, or any of such institutions owned, maintained, or established by such village. When the legislative authority determines to plat any of the streets it shall provide for the platting thereof.
Section 735.271 \| Establishing position of village administrator. Effective: September 28, 1965 Latest Legislation: House Bill 397 - 106th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The legislative authority of the village may establish the position of village administrator by ordinance. The village administrator established under this section shall have those powers provided by section 735.273 of the Revised Code. The village administrator shall be appointed by the mayor, but shall not take office unless his appointment has been approved by a majority vote of the members elected to the legislative authority of the village. The village administrator need not be an elector or reside in the village at the time of his appointment; however, he shall become a resident of the village within six months after his appointment by the mayor and confirmation by the legislative authority of the village, unless his residence outside the village is approved by ordinance. The village administrator shall not be an elected official of the village at the time of his appointment or during his tenure in office. The village administrator shall serve at the pleasure of the mayor and legislative authority of the village and may be removed without cause by the mayor with the consent of a majority of the members elected to the legislative authority of the village; or he may be removed without cause by the affirmative vote of three-fourths of the members elected to the legislative authority of the village, without the consent of the mayor. The legislative authority of the village may abolish the position of village administrator by ordinance.
Section 735.272 \| Board of trustees of public affairs abolished upon establishment of village administrator position. Effective: September 28, 1965 Latest Legislation: House Bill 397 - 106th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Upon the establishment of the position of village administrator, his appointment by the mayor and confirmation by the legislative authority of the village, as provided by section 735.271 of the Revised Code, the board of trustees of public affairs, if such a board has been created in accordance with section 735.28 of the Revised Code, shall be abolished and the term of office of members of such board shall terminate. All contracts entered into by said board of trustees of public affairs and rules and regulations and other action taken by such board shall continue in effect until they have terminated of their own accord or until they shall have been modified, changed, revised, amended, or repealed in the manner provided by law. In the event the legislative authority abolishes the position of village administrator, as provided by section 735.271 of the Revised Code, a board of trustees of public affairs shall be established by operation of law and the mayor shall appoint three members of such board, subject to the confirmation of the legislative authority, who shall serve until the successors of such appointed members have been elected at the next regular election of municipal officers held in the village occurring more than one hundred days after the appointment of such members by the mayor, as provided by section 735.28 of the Revised Code. Such board of trustees of public affairs shall have those powers and duties as provided by sections 735.28 and 735.29 of the Revised Code and as otherwise provided by law.
Section 735.273 \| Village administrator powers and duties. Effective: September 28, 1965 Latest Legislation: House Bill 397 - 106th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The village administrator appointed under section 735.271 of the Revised Code shall manage, conduct, and control the water works, electric light plants, artificial or natural gas plants, or other similar public utilities, furnish supplies of water, electricity, or gas, and collect all water, electric, and gas rents. The village administrator may make such bylaws and regulations as it deems necessary for the safe, economical, and efficient management and protection of such works, plants, and public utilities. Such bylaws and regulations, when not repugnant to municipal ordinances and resolutions or to the constitution of this state, shall have the same validity as ordinances. The rates for service and charges for municipally owned utilities shall be determined by the legislative authority of the village. The village administrator shall have the same powers and perform the same duties as are provided in sections 743.05 to 743.07, inclusive, 743.10, 743.11, 743.18, and 743.24 of the Revised Code, and all powers and duties relating to water works in any of such sections shall extend to and include electric light, power, and gas plants, and other similar public utilities. The village administrator shall supervise the improvement and repair of streets, avenues, alleys, lands, lanes, squares, landings, market houses, bridges, viaducts, sidewalks, sewers, drains, ditches, culverts, ship channels, streams, and water courses as well as the lighting, sprinkling, and cleaning of all streets, alleys, and public buildings and places. The village administrator shall appoint officers, employees, agents, clerks, and assistants, provided such positions are first authorized by the legislative authority of the village; but such appointments shall be subject to approval by the mayor. Such appointments and the mayor's approval thereof shall be in writing, and shall be filed with the village clerk. The village administrator shall be under the general supervision and control of the mayor, and shall have such other powers and duties as are prescribed by ordinance or by law and which are not inconsistent herewith. The village administrator shall perform all duties and shall have all powers of boards of public affairs and street commissioners as prescribed by law, except as otherwise provided by this section and in sections 735.271 and 735.272 of the Revised Code.
Section 735.28 \| Village board of trustees of public affairs - appointment - election - organization. Effective: February 21, 1967 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 107th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF In each village in which a water works, electric light plant, artificial or natural gas plant, or other similar public utility is situated, or when the legislative authority thereof orders a water works, electric light plant, natural or artificial gas plant, or other similar public utility, to be constructed, or to be leased or purchased from any individual, company, or corporation, or when such legislative authority determines to establish a schedule of rates or charges of rents for use of the sewerage system and sewage pumping, treatment, and disposal works of the village, such legislative authority shall establish a board of trustees of public affairs, which shall consist of three members who are residents of the village. In the year 1967 one member shall be elected for a term of two years. In the year 1967 and quadrennially thereafter, two members of the board of trustees of public affairs shall be elected for a term of four years; in the year 1969 and quadrennially thereafter, one member of the board of trustees of public affairs shall be elected for a term of four years; and thereafter all members shall have four year terms, except that members of boards of trustees of public affairs established after July 26, 1967 shall be elected as follows: at the next regular election of municipal officials occurring more than one hundred days after the appointment of the first members of such board as provided in this section, one member shall be elected for a term of two years and two members shall be elected for terms of four years each; and thereafter all such members shall be elected for terms of four years. When the legislative authority establishes such board, the mayor shall appoint the members thereof, subject to the confirmation of the legislative authority. The successors of such appointed members shall be elected at the next regular election of municipal officers held in the village which occurs more than one hundred days after the appointment. In case of a vacancy in such board from death, resignation, or otherwise, it shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment by the mayor, subject to confirmation by the legislative authority. The board shall organize by electing one of its members president. Unless the office of clerk of the board has been consolidated with the office of clerk of the village, as authorized by section 733.28 of the Revised Code, it may elect a clerk, who shall be known as the clerk of the board of trustees of public affairs.
Section 735.29 \| General powers and duties. Effective: September 25, 1986 Latest Legislation: House Bill 754 - 116th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The board of trustees of public affairs appointed under section 735.28 of the Revised Code shall manage, conduct, and control the waterworks, electric light plants, artificial or natural gas plants, or other similar public utilities, furnish supplies of water, electricity, or gas, collect all water, electric, and gas rents or charges, and appoint necessary officers, employees, and agents. The board may make such bylaws and rules as it determines to be necessary for the safe, economical, and efficient management and protection of such works, plants, and public utilities. These bylaws and rules, when not repugnant to municipal ordinances or to the constitution or laws of this state, shall have the same validity as ordinances. For the purpose of paying the expenses of conducting and managing such waterworks, plants, and public utilities or of making necessary additions thereto and extensions and repairs thereon, the board may assess a water rent or charge, or a light, power, gas, or utility rent, of sufficient amount, and in such manner as it determines to be most equitable, upon all tenements and premises supplied therewith. When such rents, except water rents and charges, are not paid when due, the board may certify them to the county auditor to be placed on the duplicate and collected as other village taxes, or it may collect them by actions at law in the name of the village. When water rents or charges are not paid when due, the board may do either or both of the following: (A) Certify them, together with any penalties, to the county auditor. The county auditor shall place the certified amount on the real property tax list and duplicate against the property served by the connection if he also receives from the board additional certification that the unpaid rents or charges have arisen pursuant to a service contract made directly with an owner who occupies the property served. The amount placed on the tax list and duplicate shall be a lien on the property served from the date placed on the list and duplicate and shall be collected in the same manner as other taxes, except that, notwithstanding section 323.15 of the Revised Code, a county treasurer shall accept a payment in such amount when separately tendered as payment for the full amount of such unpaid water rents or charges and associated penalties. The lien shall be released immediately upon payment in full of the certified amount. Any amounts collected by the county treasurer under this division shall be placed for immediate distribution to the village, in the appropriate distinct fund established for water rents and charges. (B) Collect them by actions at law in the name of the village from an owner, tenant, or other person who is liable to pay the rents or charges. The board shall have the same powers and perform the same duties as are provided in sections 743.01, 743.05 to 743.07, 743.10, 743.11, 743.18, 743.24, and 735.05 to 735.09 of the Revised Code, and all powers and duties relating to waterworks in any of such sections shall extend to and include electric light, power, and gas plants, and such other similar public utilities, and such board shall have such other duties as are prescribed by law or ordinance not inconsistent herewith. Each board that assesses water rents or charges shall determine the actual amount of rents due based upon an actual reading of each customer's meter at least once in each three-month period, and at least quarterly the board shall render a bill for the actual amount shown by the meter reading to be due, except estimated bills may be rendered if access to a customer's meter was unobtainable for a timely reading. Each board that assesses water rents or charges shall establish procedures providing fair and reasonable opportunity for resolution of billing disputes. When property to which water service is provided is about to be sold, any party to the sale or his agent may request the board to read the meter at that property and to render within ten days following the date on which the request is made, a final bill for all outstanding rents and charges for water service. Such a request shall be made at least fourteen days prior to the transfer of the title of such property. At any time prior to a certification under division (A) of this section, the board shall accept any partial payment of unpaid water rents or charges, in the amount of ten dollars or more.
Section 735.30 \| Special tax for municipal plant. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When water works and electric light plants, or either of them, are owned and operated by a village which receives its street lighting and fire protection therefrom, and the proceeds from the operation of such plants are insufficient to pay the expenses of their operation, the legislative authority thereof may levy a tax not to exceed five mills on each dollar valuation of the taxable property, real and personal, listed for taxation in such village, to pay the running expenses and extensions made thereto after applying the proceeds therefrom. Such tax shall be in addition to all other taxes authorized by law.
Section 735.31 \| Street commissioner - appointment - qualifications. Effective: September 10, 1987 Latest Legislation: House Bill 9 - 117th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Except in villages that have provided for the appointment of a village administrator under section 735.271 of the Revised Code, a street commissioner shall be appointed by the mayor of a municipal corporation and confirmed by the legislative authority thereof for a term of one year. He need not be a resident of the municipal corporation at the time of his appointment but shall become a resident thereof within six months after his appointment and confirmation unless such residence requirement is waived by ordinance. Vacancies in the office of street commissioner shall be filled by the mayor for the unexpired term. The appointment of a street commissioner shall include a probationary period of six months. If an appointment is made for an unexpired term, and if the same village street commissioner is reappointed at the end of that term, the probationary period shall continue into his next term. No appointment is final until the appointee has satisfactorily completed his probationary period. If the service of the appointee is unsatisfactory during the probationary period, he may be removed by the mayor of the village and the reasons for the removal shall be communicated to the legislative authority of the village. If a person is appointed to successive terms as street commissioner, he shall serve only one six-month probationary period during those successive terms. In any village the marshal shall be eligible to appointment as street commissioner.
Section 735.32 \| General duties. Effective: September 10, 1987 Latest Legislation: House Bill 9 - 117th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Under the direction of the mayor or other chief executive officer of a municipal corporation, the street commissioner, or an engineer, when one is provided by the legislative authority, shall supervise the improvement and repair of streets, avenues, alleys, lands, lanes, squares, wards, landings, market houses, bridges, viaducts, sidewalks, sewers, drains, ditches, culverts, ship channels, streams, and watercourses. Such commissioner or engineer shall also supervise the lighting, sprinkling, and cleaning of all public places, and shall perform such other duties, consistent with the nature of his office, as the mayor or other chief executive officer requires. Last updated March 9, 2022 at 12:14 PM
Section 735.33 \| Assistants. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The street commissioner or engineer mentioned in section 735.32 of the Revised Code shall have such assistants as the legislative authority of the municipal corporation provides, who shall be employed by the street commissioner and serve for such time and compensation as is fixed by the legislative authority.