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The Legislative Service Commission staff updates the Revised Code on an ongoing basis, as it completes its act review of enacted legislation. Updates may be slower during some times of the year, depending on the volume of enacted legislation.

Chapter 3354 | Community Colleges

 
 
 
Section
Section 3354.01 | Community college definitions.
 

As used in sections 3354.01 to 3354.18 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Community college district" means a political subdivision of the state and a body corporate with all the powers of a corporation, comprised of the territory of one or more contiguous counties having together a total population of not less than seventy-five thousand preceding the establishment of such district, and organized for the purpose of establishing, owning, and operating a community college within the territory of such district.

(B) "Contiguous counties" means counties so located that each such county shares at least one boundary in common with at least one other such county in the group of counties referred to as being "contiguous."

(C) "Community college" means a public institution of education beyond the high school organized for the principal purpose of providing for the people of the community college district wherein such college is situated the instructional programs defined in this section as "arts and sciences" and "technical," or either, and may include the "adult-education" program as defined in this section. Except for applied bachelor's degree programs or nursing bachelor's degree programs approved by the chancellor of higher education under section 3333.051 of the Revised Code, instructional programs shall not exceed two years in duration.

A university maintained and operated by a municipality located in a county having a total population equal to the requirement for a community college district as set forth in division (A) of section 3354.01 of the Revised Code and is found by the chancellor of higher education to offer instructional programs which are needed in the community and which are equivalent to those required of community colleges shall be, for the purposes of receiving state or federal financial aid only, considered a community college and shall receive the same state financial assistance granted to community colleges but only in respect to students enrolled in their first and second year of post high school education in the kinds of instructional programs offered by the municipal university.

(D) "Arts and sciences program" means both of the following:

(1) A curricular program of two years or less duration, provided within a community college, planned and intended to enable students to gain academic credit for courses generally comparable to courses offered in the first two years in accredited colleges and universities in the state, and designed either to enable students to transfer to such colleges and universities for the purpose of earning baccalaureate degrees or to enable students to terminate academic study after two years with a proportionate recognition of academic achievement.

(2) An applied bachelor's degree program or nursing bachelor's degree program approved and offered under section 3333.051 of the Revised Code.

(E) "Adult-education program" means the dissemination of post high school educational service and knowledge, by a community college, for the occupational, cultural, or general educational benefit of adult persons, such educational service and knowledge not being offered for the primary purpose of enabling such persons to obtain academic credit or other formal academic recognition.

(F) "Charter amendment" means a change in the official plan of a community college for the purpose of acquiring additional lands or structures, disposing of or transferring lands or structures, erection of structures, or creating or abolishing of one or more academic departments corresponding to generally recognized fields of academic study.

(G) "Technical program" means a post high school curricular program of two years or less duration, provided within a community college, planned and intended to enable students to gain academic credit for courses designed to prepare such students to meet the occupational requirements of the community.

(H) "Operating costs" means all expenses for all purposes of the community college district except expenditures for permanent improvements having an estimated life of usefulness of five years or more as certified by the fiscal officer of the community college district.

(I) "Applied bachelor's degree" has the same meaning as in section 3333.051 of the Revised Code.

Last updated August 12, 2021 at 11:27 AM

Section 3354.02 | Community college district.
 

A community college district may be created with the approval of the Ohio board of regents pursuant to standards established by the board. The standards shall take into consideration such factors as the population of the proposed district, the present and potential pupil enrollment, the present and potential higher education facilities in the district, and such other factors as pertain to the educational needs of the district. The Ohio board of regents may undertake or contract for a study to be made relative to the establishment of a community college district.

The attorney general shall be the attorney for each community college district and shall provide legal advice in all matters relating to its powers and duties.

A proposal to create a community college district may be presented to the Ohio board of regents in any of the following ways:

(A) The board of county commissioners of any county, having a population of not less than seventy-five thousand, may, by resolution approved by two-thirds of its members, propose the creation of a community college district consisting of the whole territory of such county.

(B) The boards of county commissioners of any two or more contiguous counties, which together have a combined population of not less than seventy-five thousand, may, by a resolution approved by two-thirds of the members of each such board, together and jointly propose the creation of a community college district consisting of the whole territories of such counties together.

(C) Qualified electors residing in a county or in two or more contiguous counties may execute a petition proposing the creation of a community college district comprised of the territory of a county or two or more contiguous counties, respectively. Such petition shall be presented to the board of elections of the most populous county in which the proposed community college district is situated, and shall be signed by at least two per cent of the total number of resident electors who voted in the most recent election for governor in the territory of such proposed district. Such petition shall set forth the necessity for the district, a demonstration that it will be conducive to the public convenience and welfare, and a description of the territory to be included in the proposed district.

Upon receiving a petition duly executed pursuant to this division, the board of elections of the most populous county shall certify the fact of such petition to the election boards of the other counties, if any, to be included in such district. The proposal to create such district shall be placed on the ballot by the board of elections and submitted to vote in each affected county or group of contiguous counties, at the next primary or general election occurring more than seventy-five days after the filing of such petition. If there is no primary or general election occurring within ninety days after the filing of such petition, the board of elections of the most populous county shall fix the date of a special election to be held in each affected county, or group of contiguous counties, such date to be not less than seventy-five days after the filing of the petition and to be consistent with the requirements of section 3501.01 of the Revised Code. If a majority of the electors voting on the proposition in the proposed community college district vote in favor thereof, the board of elections of the most populous county in which the proposed district is situated shall certify such fact to the Ohio board of regents.

(D) No county shall be included in the territory of more than one community college district.

A community college district may also be created under division (D) of section 3358.02 of the Revised Code.

Section 3354.03 | District to be political subdivision - powers.
 

A community college district organized pursuant to section 3354.02 of the Revised Code shall be a political subdivision of the state and a body corporate with all the powers of a corporation, 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 sections 3354.01 to 3354.18, inclusive, of the Revised Code, 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.

From the time of the establishment of a community college district, pursuant to section 3354.04 of the Revised Code, its temporary office or principal place of business shall be the office of the board of county commissioners of the most populous county in such district, until a permanent place of business has been established pursuant to section 3354.06 of the Revised Code.

Section 3354.04 | Certification of approved districts.
 

Within thirty days after approval by the Ohio board of regents of a community college district proposed pursuant to section 3354.02 of the Revised Code, such board shall file with the secretary of state a copy of its certification or resolution creating the district. Such copy shall be filed and recorded in the office of the secretary of state who shall thereupon declare such district to be established.

Section 3354.05 | Appointment of officers of board.
 

(A) Within ninety days after a community college district has been declared to be established, pursuant to sections 3354.02 to 3354.04 of the Revised Code, nine persons, all of whom shall be residents of the district, shall be appointed as a board of trustees of the community college district. Six trustees shall be appointed by the board of county commissioners or boards of county commissioners of such district and three trustees shall be appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate. At the time of the initial meeting of the trustees a drawing shall be held to determine the initial term of each appointee, one trustee to serve for a term ending two years after the date upon which the community college district had been declared established, three for terms ending three years after that date, three for terms ending four years after that date, and two for terms ending five years after that date.

(B) At the expiration of each of the three terms appointed by the governor, and thereafter, the governor shall make appointments, with the advice and consent of the senate. At the expiration of each of the remaining six terms, and thereafter, the board of county commissioners or boards of county commissioners shall make appointments. Except as provided in division (C) of this section, the successive terms of trustees shall be for five years, each term ending on the same day of the same month of the year as did the term which it succeeds. Each trustee shall hold office from the date of appointment until the end of the term for which appointed. Any trustee appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which the trustee's predecessor was appointed shall hold office for the remainder of such term. Any trustee shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of the trustee's term until the trustee's successor takes office. A majority of the sitting members of the board at the time of a meeting shall constitute a quorum.

(C) Upon expiration of the Cuyahoga county community college district trustee term which ends on January 19, 1974 and for which the governor is required to appoint a successor, the new term which succeeds it shall commence on January 20, 1974 and end on October 12, 1978. Upon expiration of the Mahoning county community college district trustee terms which end on February 22, 1975 and for which the governor is required to appoint successors, the new terms which succeed them shall commence on February 23, 1975 and end on February 10, 1980. Upon expiration of the Lorain county community college district trustee terms which end on October 12, 1977 and for which the governor is required to appoint successors, the new terms which succeed them shall commence on October 13, 1977 and end on August 30, 1982. Upon expiration of the Montgomery county community college district trustee term which ends on July 1, 1973 and for which the governor is required to appoint a successor, the new term which succeeds it shall commence on July 2, 1973 and end on October 12, 1977. Upon expiration of the Lakeland community college district trustee term which ends on March 6, 1978, and for which the governor is required to appoint a successor, the new term which succeeds it shall commence on March 7, 1978 and end on October 12, 1982.

Last updated October 4, 2023 at 4:13 PM

Section 3354.06 | Organization and rules of board - selection of secretary and treasurer.
 

Each member of the board of trustees of a community college district, before entering upon his official duties, shall take and subscribe to an oath that he will honestly, faithfully, and impartially perform the duties of his office . The board shall meet upon call by the trustee first appointed. Members of such board shall proceed immediately to elect from among themselves a chairman of the board and such other officers as they deem necessary. The board shall elect a secretary and a treasurer of the community college district, to serve at its pleasure, who are not members of the board. The secretary and treasurer may, but need not be, the same person. The treasurer of the community college district shall be its fiscal officer and shall receive, and at the direction of the board of trustees, disburse all funds of the district. Upon his ceasing to hold such office, he, or his legal representatives, shall deliver to the board of trustees or to his successor, all moneys, books, papers, and other property of the district in his possession as treasurer. In case of the death or incapacity of the treasurer, his legal representatives shall, in like manner, deliver all moneys, books, papers, and other property of the district to the board of trustees or to the person named as his successor. The board shall adopt a seal, and shall keep records of all its proceedings, which records shall be open for public inspection. A majority of the board shall constitute a quorum, and the board may act on any matter by majority vote of its whole membership. The board may designate in its rules and regulations matters of an administrative nature which may be acted upon by a vote of a majority of those present when a quorum is in session. The trustees shall serve without compensation, but may be paid for their necessary expenses when engaged in the business of the board.

The board of trustees of a community college district may adopt rules and regulations governing its own proceedings, and shall designate the permanent principal place of business of the district.

Section 3354.07 | Community college plan approval.
 

Upon the qualification of its members, the board of trustees of a community college district shall prepare an official plan for a community college within the district. Such official plan shall include, but not be limited to, a demonstration of needs and prospective enrollment, a description and location of lands, buildings, facilities, and improvements proposed to be occupied by such college; a proposed schedule for acquisition of such lands or improvements, for construction of improvements, and for operation of the college; proposed organization and program of such college, consistent with the proposed lands and improvements; estimates of cost of lands and improvements; and a proposed budget for the first two years of operation of such college.

In preparing such official plan, the board of trustees of a community college district may retain consultants in the fields of education, planning, architecture, law, engineering, or other fields of professional skill which may be needed in the preparation of plans for a community college. The board of trustees shall conduct public hearings as to the need for, the feasible locations of, and the desirable types and sizes of lands, instructional facilities, and other improvements for a community college, and as to the relative desirability of operation as an independent two-year institution or of operation, in whole or in part, by contract with a generally accredited public university or college in Ohio.

The official plan shall include a recommendation as to whether the community college should be operated directly by the board of trustees of the community college district, or should be operated, in whole or in part, by a generally accredited public university or college pursuant to a contract to be entered into by the board of trustees of the community college district and the governing board of such college or university. If it is recommended that the community college be operated under a contract, the official plan shall include the full text of such recommended contract, with certification by the respective boards to the effect that they have adopted resolutions approving such contract and wait approval of the plan and the contract.

Upon completion of the official plan, the board of trustees of a community college district shall file a copy of such plan with the Ohio board of regents which may approve or disapprove any provisions thereof. If the Ohio board of regents disapproves the official plan or any provisions thereof, the board of trustees of the community college district may prepare a new plan or may present amended provisions of the plan. If the Ohio board of regents approves the official plan, it shall certify a copy of its action to the board of trustees of the community college district and issue a charter creating and establishing the community college, to be known by the name set forth in the official plan. The official plan shall be appended to and shall become a part of such charter, and such charter shall not thereafter be changed except by charter amendment, in accordance with the procedure set forth in this section for preparation and adoption of an official plan in the first instance.

In any instance in which an official plan proposes operation by a generally accredited public university or college, pursuant to a contract, such contract shall include a provision that academic credit awarded to students attending the proposed community college shall be academic credit of the contracting university or college, and shall be so reported in the academic record of each student and upon any certificate of achievement awarded to any such student.

Last updated May 26, 2021 at 1:53 PM

Section 3354.08 | Gifts, grants, bequests or public funds may be expended to prepare plan.
 

For the purpose of preparing the official plan for a community college, pursuant to provisions of section 3354.07 of the Revised Code, the board of trustees of a community college district may receive and expend gifts, grants, bequests or devises, or public funds appropriated for such purpose.

Section 3354.09 | Powers and duties of board of trustees.
 

The board of trustees of a community college district may:

(A) Own and operate a community college, pursuant to an official plan prepared and approved in accordance with section 3354.07 of the Revised Code, or enter into a contract with a generally accredited public university or college for operation of such community college by such university or college pursuant to an official plan prepared and approved in accordance with section 3354.07 of the Revised Code;

(B) Hold, encumber, control, acquire by donation, purchase, or condemnation, construct, own, lease, use, and sell real and personal property as is necessary for the conduct of the program of the community college on whatever terms and for whatever consideration may be appropriate for the purpose of the college;

(C) Accept gifts, grants, bequests, and devises absolutely or in trust for support of the college during the existence of the college;

(D) Appoint the administrative officers, faculty, and staff, necessary and proper for such community college, and fix their compensation except in instances in which the board of trustees has delegated such powers to a college or university operating such community college pursuant to a contract entered into by the board of trustees of the district;

(E) Provide for a community college necessary lands, buildings or other structures, equipment, means, and appliances;

(F) Develop and adopt, pursuant to the official plan, the curricular programs identified in section 3354.01 of the Revised Code as arts and sciences programs and technical programs, or either. Such programs may include adult-education programs.

(G) Except as provided in sections 3333.17 and 3333.32 of the Revised Code, establish schedules of fees and tuition for students who are residents of the district, residents of Ohio but not of the district, and students who are nonresidents of Ohio. The establishment of rules governing the determination of residence shall be subject to approval of the chancellor of higher education. Students who are nonresidents of Ohio shall be required to pay higher rates of fees and tuition than the rates required of students who are residents of Ohio but not of the district, and students who are residents of the district shall pay a smaller tuition and fee rate than the rate for either category of nonresident students.

(H) Authorize, approve, ratify, or confirm any agreement relating to any such community college with the United States government, acting through any agency of such government designated or created to aid in the financing of such projects, or with any person or agency offering grants in aid in financing such educational facilities or the operation of such facilities except as prohibited in division (K) of this section.

Such agreement may include a provision for repayment of advances, grants, or loans made to any community college district from funds which may become available to it.

When the United States government or its agent makes a grant of money to any community college district to aid in paying the cost of any projects of such district, or enters into an agreement with the community college district for the making of any such grant of money, the amount thereof is deemed appropriated for such purpose by the community college district and is deemed in process of collection within the meaning of section 5705.41 of the Revised Code.

(I) Grant appropriate certificates of achievement or degrees to students successfully completing the community college programs;

(J) Prescribe rules for the effective operation of a community college and exercise such other powers as are necessary for the efficient management of such college;

(K) Receive and expend gifts or grants from the state for the payment of operating costs, for the acquisition, construction, or improvement of buildings or other structures, or for the acquisition or use of land. In no event shall state gifts or grants be expended for the support of adult-education programs. Gifts or grants from the state for operating costs shall not in any biennium exceed the amount recommended by the chancellor to the governor as provided in Chapter 3333. of the Revised Code. Such gifts or grants shall be distributed to such districts in equal quarter-annual payments, unless otherwise provided or authorized in any act appropriating moneys for such purposes, on or before the last day of February, May, August, and November in each year.

(L) Retain consultants in the fields of education, planning, architecture, law, engineering, or other fields of professional skill;

(M) Purchase:

(1) A policy or policies of insurance insuring the district against loss of or damage to property, whether real, personal, or mixed, which is owned by the district or leased by it as lessee or which is in the process of construction by or for the district;

(2) A policy or policies of fidelity insurance in such amounts and covering such trustees, officers, and employees of the district as it considers necessary or desirable;

(3) A policy or policies of liability insurance from an insurer or insurers licensed to do business in this state insuring its members, officers, and employees against all civil liability arising from an act or omission by the member, officer, or employee when the member, officer, or employee is not acting manifestly outside the scope of employment or official responsibilities with the institution, with malicious purpose or bad faith, or in a wanton or reckless manner, or may otherwise provide for the indemnification of such persons against such liability. All or any portion of the cost, premium, or charge for such a policy or policies or indemnification payment may be paid from any funds under the institution's control. The policy or policies of liability insurance or the indemnification policy of the institution may cover any risks including, but not limited to, damages resulting from injury to property or person, professional liability, and other special risks, including legal fees and expenses incurred in the defense or settlement of claims for such damages.

(4) A policy or policies of insurance insuring the district against any liabilities to which it may be subject on account of damage or injury to persons or property, including liability for wrongful death.

(N) Designate one or more employees of the institution as state university law enforcement officers, to serve and have duties as prescribed in section 3345.04 of the Revised Code.

Any instrument by which real property is acquired pursuant to this section shall identify the agency of the state that has the use and benefit of the real property as specified in section 5301.012 of the Revised Code.

Section 3354.10 | Deposit of funds - investment of funds - audit.
 

(A) All funds under the control of a board of trustees of a community college district, regardless of the source thereof, may be deposited by such board to its credit in banks or trust companies designated by it. Such banks or trust companies shall furnish security for every such deposit to the extent and in the manner provided in section 135.18 of the Revised Code, but no such deposit shall otherwise be subject to sections 135.01 to 135.21 of the Revised Code. Thereupon, such funds may be disbursed by the board of trustees for the uses and purposes of such district. No contract of the board involving the expenditure of money shall become effective until there is placed thereon by the treasurer as fiscal officer of the district the certificate provided for by section 5705.41 of the Revised Code.

(B) The board of trustees of a community college district may provide for the investment of district funds. Investments may be made in securities of the United States government or of its agencies or instrumentalities, the treasurer of state's pooled investment program, obligations of this state or any political subdivision of this state, certificates of deposit of any national bank located in this state, written repurchase agreements with any eligible Ohio financial institution that is a member of the federal reserve system or federal home loan bank, money market funds, or bankers acceptances maturing in two hundred seventy days or less which are eligible for purchase by the federal reserve system, as a reserve. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any provision of the Revised Code to the contrary, the board of trustees of a community college district may provide for the investment of district funds in any manner authorized under section 3345.05 of the Revised Code.

(C) Any community college district is subject to audit by the auditor of state, who shall furnish to the county or counties which created the district a copy of the audit report.

Section 3354.101 | Liability for loss of public funds.
 

The treasurer or other fiscal officer of a community college district shall not be held liable for a loss of public funds when the treasurer or officer has performed all official duties required of the treasurer or officer with reasonable care, but shall be liable only when a loss of public funds results from the treasurer's or officer's negligence or other wrongful act.

Last updated June 30, 2022 at 5:14 PM

Section 3354.11 | Bonds.
 

A community college district may submit to the electors of the district pursuant to Chapter 133. of the Revised Code the question of issuing bonds of such district for the purpose of paying all or a part of the cost of purchasing sites and for the erection, furnishing, and equipment of buildings and for the acquisition or construction of any property which the board of trustees of a community college district is authorized to acquire or construct and which has an estimated life of usefulness of five years or more as certified by the fiscal officer, and also the necessity of the levy of a tax on all the taxable property in the community college district outside the limitation imposed by Section 2 of Article XII, Ohio Constitution, to pay the interest on and to retire such bonds.

The bonds may be issued for one or more improvements which the district is authorized to acquire or construct, notwithstanding the fact that such improvements may not be for one purpose under Chapter 133. of the Revised Code. Notes may be issued in anticipation of such bonds as provided in section 133.22 of the Revised Code.

The treasurer of the district shall be its fiscal officer, and the board of trustees shall be the taxing authority of the district as those terms are used in Chapter 133. of the Revised Code.

Section 3354.12 | Levies for capital and operating expenses - sources of funds.
 

(A) Upon the request by resolution approved by the board of trustees of a community college district, and upon certification to the board of elections not less than ninety days prior to the election, the boards of elections of the county or counties comprising such district shall place upon the ballot in their respective counties the question of levying a tax on all the taxable property in the community college district outside the ten-mill limitation, for a specified period of years or for a continuing period of time, to provide funds for any one or more of the following purposes: the acquisition of sites, the erection, furnishing, and equipment of buildings, the acquisition, construction, or improvement of any property which the board of trustees of a community college district is authorized to acquire, construct, or improve and which has an estimated life of usefulness of five years or more as certified by the fiscal officer, and the payment of operating costs. Not more than two special elections shall be held in any one calendar year. Levies for a continuing period of time adopted under this section may be reduced in accordance with section 5705.261 of the Revised Code.

If such proposal is to be or include the renewal of an existing levy at the expiration thereof, the ballot for such election shall state whether it is a renewal of a tax; a renewal of a stated number of mills and an increase of a stated number of mills, or a renewal of a part of an existing levy with a reduction of a stated number of mills; the year of the tax duplicate on which such renewal will first be made; and if earlier, the year of the tax duplicate on which such additional levy will first be made, which may include the tax duplicate for the current year unless the election is to be held after the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of the current tax year. The ballot shall also state the period of years for such levy or that it is for a continuing period of time. If a levy for a continuing period of time provides for but is not limited to current expenses, the resolution of the board of trustees providing for the election on such levy shall apportion the annual rate of the levy between current expenses and the other purpose or purposes. Such apportionment need not be the same for each year of the levy, but the respective portions of the rate actually levied each year for current expenses and the other purpose or purposes shall be limited by such apportionment. The portion of the rate apportioned to the other purpose or purposes shall be reduced as provided in division (B) of this section.

If a majority of the electors in such district voting on such question approve thereof, the county auditor or auditors of the county or counties comprising such district shall annually, for the applicable years, place such levy on the tax duplicate in such district, in an amount determined by the board of trustees, but not to exceed the amount set forth in the proposition approved by the electors.

The boards of trustees of a community college district shall establish a special fund for all revenue derived from any tax levied pursuant to this section.

The boards of elections of the county or counties comprising the district shall cause to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in each such county an advertisement of the proposed tax levy question once a week for two consecutive weeks, or as provided in section 7.16 of the Revised Code, prior to the election at which the question is to appear on the ballot. If a board of elections operates and maintains a web site, that board also shall post the advertisement on its web site for thirty days prior to that election.

After the approval of such levy by vote, the board of trustees of a community college district may anticipate a fraction of the proceeds of such levy and from time to time issue anticipation notes having such maturity or maturities that the aggregate principal amount of all such notes maturing in any calendar year shall not exceed seventy-five per cent of the anticipated proceeds from such levy for such year, and that no note shall mature later than the thirty-first day of December of the tenth calendar year following the calendar year in which such note is issued. Each issue of notes shall be sold as provided in Chapter 133. of the Revised Code.

The amount of bonds or anticipatory notes authorized pursuant to Chapter 3354. of the Revised Code, may include sums to repay moneys previously borrowed, advanced, or granted and expended for the purposes of such bond or anticipatory note issues, whether such moneys were advanced from the available funds of the community college district or by other persons, and the community college district may restore and repay to such funds or persons from the proceeds of such issues the moneys so borrowed, advanced or granted.

All operating costs of such community college may be paid out of any gift or grant from the state, pursuant to division (K) of section 3354.09 of the Revised Code; out of student fees and tuition collected pursuant to division (G) of section 3354.09 of the Revised Code; or out of unencumbered funds from any other source of the community college income not prohibited by law.

(B) Prior to the application of section 319.301 of the Revised Code, the rate of a levy that is limited to, or to the extent that it is apportioned to, purposes other than current expenses shall be reduced in the same proportion in which the district's total valuation increases during the life of the levy because of additions to such valuation that have resulted from improvements added to the tax list and duplicate.

Section 3354.121 | Acquiring auxiliary or education facilities.
 

(A)(1) Each community college district may acquire, by purchase, lease, lease-purchase, lease with option to purchase, or otherwise, construct, equip, furnish, reconstruct, alter, enlarge, remodel, renovate, rehabilitate, improve, maintain, repair, and operate, and lease to or from others, auxiliary facilities or education facilities, except housing and dining facilities, and may pay for the facilities out of available receipts of such district. To pay all or part of the costs of auxiliary facilities or education facilities, except housing and dining facilities, and any combination of them, and to refund obligations previously issued for such purpose, each community college district may issue obligations in the manner provided by and subject to the applicable provisions of section 3345.12 of the Revised Code.

(2) A community college district that is located either within one mile of a four-year private, nonprofit institution of higher education in the state or within one-quarter mile of a facility that, on January 1, 2023, rented at least seventy-five rooms to students at such district, may acquire, by purchase, lease, lease-purchase, lease with option to purchase, or otherwise, construct, equip, furnish, reconstruct, alter, enlarge, remodel, renovate, rehabilitate, improve, maintain, repair, and operate, and lease to or from others, housing and dining facilities, and may pay for the facilities out of the available receipts of such district. To pay all or part of the costs of the housing and dining facilities, and to refund obligations previously issued for such purpose, the community college district may issue obligations in the manner provided by and subject to the applicable provisions of section 3345.12 of the Revised Code.

(B) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the definitions set forth in section 3345.12 of the Revised Code apply to this section.

(C) Fee variations provided for in division (G) of section 3354.09 of the Revised Code need not be applied to fees pledged to secure obligations.

(D) The obligations authorized by this section are not bonded indebtedness of the community college district, shall not constitute general obligations or the pledge of the full faith and credit of such district, and the holders or owners thereof shall have no right to require the board to levy or collect any taxes for the payment of bond service charges, but they shall have the right to payment thereof solely from the available receipts and funds pledged for such payment as authorized by section 3345.12 of the Revised Code and this section.

The bond proceedings may provide the method whereby the general administrative overhead expense of the district shall be allocated among the several operations and facilities of the district for purposes of determining any operating and maintenance expenses payable from the pledged available receipts prior to the provision for payment of bond service charges, and for other purposes of the bond proceedings.

(E) The powers granted in this section are in addition to any other powers at any time granted by the Constitution and laws of the state, and not in derogation thereof or restrictions thereon.

Last updated September 22, 2023 at 2:07 PM

Section 3354.13 | Ownership of community college - acquisition of property.
 

The ownership of a community college created and established pursuant to provisions of sections 3354.02 and 3354.04 of the Revised Code, including all right, title, and interest in and to all property, both real and personal, pertaining thereto, shall be vested in the board of trustees of the community college district in which such college is situated, except as may be provided in a contract entered into under the authority of division (A) of section 3354.09 of the Revised Code. The board may acquire by appropriation any land, rights, rights of way, franchises, easements, or other property necessary or proper for the construction or the efficient operation of any facility of the community college district, pursuant to the procedure provided in section 5537.06 of the Revised Code, with respect to the Ohio turnpike and infrastructure commission, and insofar as such procedure is applicable.

Any instrument by which real property is acquired pursuant to this section shall identify the agency of the state that has the use and benefit of the real property as specified in section 5301.012 of the Revised Code.

Section 3354.15 | Exemption from taxes or assessments.
 

A community college district shall not be required to pay any taxes or assessments upon any real or personal property acquired, owned, or used by it pursuant to provisions of sections 3354.01 to 3354.18, inclusive, of the Revised Code, or upon the income therefrom, and the bonds issued pursuant to provisions of such sections and the transfer of the income therefrom, including any profits made on the sale thereof, shall at all times be free from taxation within the state.

Section 3354.16 | Contracts requiring bidding - biennial adjustment.
 

(A) When the board of trustees of a community college district has by resolution determined to let by contract the work of improvements pursuant to the official plan of such district, contracts in amounts exceeding a dollar amount set by the board, which dollar amount shall not exceed two hundred thousand dollars, shall be advertised after notices calling for bids have been published once a week for three consecutive weeks or as provided in section 7.16 of the Revised Code, in a newspaper of general circulation within the community college district wherein the work is to be done. Subject to section 3354.10 of the Revised Code, the board of trustees of the district may let such contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, in accordance with section 9.312 of the Revised Code, who meets the requirements of section 153.54 of the Revised Code. Such contract shall be in writing and shall be accompanied by or shall refer to plans and specifications for the work to be done. Such contract shall be approved by the board of trustees and signed by the president of the board and by the contractor.

(B) On the first day of January of every even-numbered year, the chancellor of the board of regents shall adjust the two hundred thousand dollar contract limit set forth in division (A) of this section, as adjusted in any previous year pursuant to this division. The chancellor shall adjust the limit according to the average increase or decrease for each of the two years immediately preceding the adjustment as set forth in the United States department of commerce, bureau of economic analysis implicit price deflator for gross domestic product, nonresidential structures, or an alternative if the federal government ceases to publish this metric, provided that no increase or decrease for any year shall exceed three per cent of the contract limit in existence at the time of the adjustment. Notwithstanding division (A) of this section, the limit adjusted under this division shall be used thereafter in lieu of the limit in division (A) of this section.

(C) Before entering into an improvement pursuant to division (A) of this section, and except for contracts made with a construction manager at risk, a design-build firm, or a general contracting firm, as those terms are defined in section 153.50 of the Revised Code, the board of trustees of a community college district shall require separate and distinct proposals to be made for furnishing materials or doing work on the improvement, or both, in the board's discretion, for each separate and distinct branch or class of work entering into the improvement. The board of trustees also may require a single, combined proposal for the entire project for materials or doing work, or both, in the board's discretion, that includes each separate and distinct branch or class of work entering into the improvement.

(D) When more than one branch or class of work is required, no contract for the entire job, or for a greater portion thereof than is embraced in one such branch or class of work shall be awarded, unless the separate bids do not cover all the work and materials required or the bids for the whole or for two or more kinds of work or materials are lower than the separate bids in the aggregate.

Section 3354.17 | Cooperation with other board or agencies - dissolution of district.
 

The board of trustees of a community college district, and its agents, shall co-operate with the boards of county commissioners of the county or counties comprising the district, with boards of education in the district, and with other public agencies representing the people of the district, in providing for educational, social, civic, and recreation activities, in buildings and upon ground under control of the board of trustees; provided, that such co-operation does not interfere with the principal purpose of such district which is to provide educational service beyond the high school for the people of such district. The board of trustees shall prescribe such rules and regulations for occupancy of such buildings and grounds as will secure a fair, reasonable, and impartial use of the same.

In the event the need for a community college ceases to exist, the board of trustees may, by a two-thirds vote of its members, declare the district dissolved and, within ninety days of such vote, shall notify the secretary of state of this action. The board of trustees shall dispose of the land and all physical facilities of the district not later than three years after the secretary of state is notified of the dissolution of the district. Disposition of the land and the physical facilities shall be made by sale in such manner as to realize the greatest return to the district. Money obtained from any sale shall be apportioned and deposited forthwith in the treasury or treasuries of the county or counties that created the district, in the proportion to which the taxpayers of the county or counties have contributed to the support of the community college district during the period of its existence, by the district board of trustees as its last act before going out of existence.

In the event of any dissolution of any community college district organized pursuant to sections 3354.01 to 3354.18, inclusive, of the Revised Code, such dissolution shall not affect the liability of any property in such district to the levy of any taxes for the purpose of paying the principal and interest of any bonds or anticipatory notes issued under such sections. In the event of any such dissolution, 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 office which prevent action by said district or by its proper officers, the county auditor and all other officers charged in any manner with the duty of levying and collecting taxes for public purposes in any county in which such property is situated shall perform all acts which are necessary to the levying and collecting of any taxes which are necessary to pay the principal and interest of such bonds or notes. Any holder of any bonds or notes issued pursuant to sections 3354.01 to 3354.18, inclusive, of the Revised Code, 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 3354.18 | Financial aid from state.
 

Financial aid to a community college from the state shall be paid over to the board of trustees of the community college district in which such college is situated only upon certification by the Ohio board of regents that such college is in condition to receive students and is operable and upon approval of its official plan and the issuance of a charter to such college as provided in section 3354.07 of the Revised Code.

Financial aid from the state to a municipal university of the kind described in division (C) of section 3354.01 of the Revised Code shall be paid to the board of directors of the municipal university upon findings of the Ohio board of regents that the university offers instructional programs equivalent to those required of community colleges, and that such programs are needed in the community in which the university is located.

Section 3354.19 | Displaced homemaker defined.
 

(A) As used in sections 3354.19 to 3354.24 of the Revised Code, "displaced homemaker" means an individual who:

(A) Is twenty-seven years of age or older;

(B) Has worked without pay as a homemaker for his or her family;

(C) Is not gainfully employed and has had, or would be likely to have, difficulty in securing employment; and

(D) Has either been deprived of the support of a person on whom he or she was dependent, or has become ineligible for public assistance as the parent of a needy child.

Section 3354.20 | Cuyahoga community college district to establish multipurpose service center for displaced homemakers.
 

The Cuyahoga community college district shall establish and operate, as a pilot program, a multipurpose service center for displaced homemakers to provide such individuals with the education, training, employment services, health care, and counseling needed to enable them to become gainfully employed and capable of maintaining their independence.

The board of trustees of the district shall appoint a director to administer the program. To the greatest extent possible, the multipurpose center shall be staffed by displaced homemakers. Staff members may be provided with on-the-job training by independent contractors or nonprofit agencies. A plan to inform displaced homemakers in the community of the services offered shall be developed and implemented by the center. The director and staff of the center shall evaluate the effectiveness of the job training, placement, and other components of the program. Such evaluations shall include the number of persons trained, the number of persons placed in emploment, follow-up data on persons placed in employment, the number of persons served by the various service programs, and estimates of the cost-effectiveness of the various components of the program.

Section 3354.21 | Agreement with agencies to provide services.
 

The multipurpose center established under section 3354.20 of the Revised Code may provide and may enter into an agreement with a public or private nonprofit agency or person to provide displaced homemakers with services. These services may include, but not be limited to, the following:

(A) Job counseling, specifically designed for a person reentering the job market after a number of years as a homemaker, and utilizing peer counseling;

(B) Job training developed cooperatively with the director of job and family services, local government agencies, and private employers, for available employment in the public and private sectors. The job training program shall provide a stipend for trainees. As opportunities for the employment of such skills in the community are identified or developed, the center's program shall include training for:

(1) Employment counselors in social service agencies;

(2) Home health technicians with skills in nutrition, basic health care, and nursing for the disabled and elderly;

(3) Health care counselors, for employment in hospital outpatient and community clinics, especially in the counseling of middle-aged patients.

(C) Assistance in finding employment. In its job-finding program, the staff shall work with the director of job and family services, and any other appropriate public or private agency in the area where the center is located.

(D) Health service programs, including a clinic based on principles of preventive health care and consumer health education. The clinic shall provide basic physical and gynecological examinations, information and referral to physicians and clinics, discussion and activity groups on common health problems of older persons, and alcohol and drug addiction programs.

(E) Money management courses;

(F) Information concerning government assistance programs;

(G) Educational programs, including courses offering credit through community colleges or leading to a high school equivalency diploma;

(H) Counseling for the purpose of lessening or resolving emotional problems, temporary stress, or impaired social functioning.

Section 3354.22 | Trustees of district - powers and duties.
 

The board of trustees of the district shall:

(A) In consultation with the director of the center, establish rules concerning the operation of the program, the eligibility of individuals for services, the level of stipends for job training programs, a sliding scale for fees charged for services, and such other matters as the board considers necessary;

(B) Explore all possible sources of funding and in-kind contributions from federal, local, and private sources in establishing the center, including building space, equipment, and qualified personnel for training programs;

(C) Cooperate with federal, state, and local agencies to coordinate the service programs with existing programs of a similar nature.

Section 3354.24 | Eastern gateway community college district.
 

(A) The provisions of this section prevail over conflicting provisions of this chapter; however, except as otherwise provided in this section, the eastern gateway community college district and its board of trustees shall comply with the provisions of this chapter.

(B) The territory of Columbiana, Mahoning, and Trumbull counties is hereby added to the territory of the community college district of Jefferson county, creating a new community college district to replace the former community college district of Jefferson county. The district created under this section shall be known as and operate under the name of "eastern gateway community college district," and its charter shall be amended to this name. The Jefferson county campus is hereby part of the eastern gateway community college district and shall remain in operation unless otherwise specified by the board of trustees of the community college.

The eastern gateway community college district is divided into two taxing subdistricts, one consisting of the territory of Jefferson county, and the other consisting of the territories of Columbiana, Mahoning, and Trumbull counties.

(C) On the effective date of this section as enacted by H.B. 1 of the 128th general assembly, the government of the eastern gateway community college district shall be vested in a board of eleven trustees to be appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate. The board of trustees of the former community college district of Jefferson county is abolished on that date.

The governor shall appoint the members of the board of trustees of the eastern gateway community college district as successors to the board of trustees of Jefferson community college as follows: Three members of the board of trustees shall be residents of Jefferson county. (The initial Jefferson county members shall be members of the board of trustees of the former community college district of Jefferson county, as it existed before the effective date of this section.) Eight members of the board of trustees shall be residents of Columbiana, Mahoning, and Trumbull counties.

The initial board of trustees shall be appointed within ninety days after the effective date of this section for terms as follows: Of the trustees who are residents of Jefferson county, one trustee shall be appointed for a one-year term, one trustee shall be appointed for a three-year term, and one trustee shall be appointed for a five-year term. Of the trustees who are residents of Columbiana, Mahoning, and Trumbull counties, one trustee shall be appointed for a one-year term, two trustees shall be appointed for two-year terms, two trustees shall be appointed for three-year terms, two trustees shall be appointed for four-year terms, and one trustee shall be appointed for a five-year term.

At the conclusion of each initial term, the term of office of each trustee shall be five years, each term ending on the same day of the same month of the year as did the term that it succeeds.

Each trustee shall hold office from the date of the trustee's appointment until the end of the term for which the trustee was appointed. Any trustee appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the trustee's predecessor was appointed shall hold office for the remainder of that term. Any trustee shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of the trustee's term until the trustee's successor takes office, or until a period of sixty days has elapsed, whichever occurs first.

If a vacancy occurs and the Jefferson county tax levy is no longer in place or a conversion under division (H) of this section has occurred, the governor shall fill the vacancy with a person residing within the eastern gateway community college district.

(D) The board of trustees of the eastern gateway community college district shall continue to comply with division (G) of section 3354.09 of the Revised Code regarding tuition for students who are residents of Ohio but not residents of the district, and for students who are nonresidents of Ohio. The tuition rate shall be based on the student's county of residence and shall apply to all eastern gateway community college district classes in all district locations. Except as provided in division (F)(3) of this section, students who are residents of Columbiana, Mahoning, or Trumbull county shall continue to be charged tuition at the same rate as Ohio residents who are not residents of the district.

(E)(1) Except as provided in divisions (E)(2) and (3) of this section, each member of the board of trustees shall have full voting rights on all matters that come before the board.

(2) The three trustees representing Jefferson county shall have sole authority to vote on the following matters:

(a) The Jefferson county tax levy;

(b) The expenditure of revenue from that tax levy;

(c) Levy-subsidized tuition rates.

(3) The voting restrictions under division (E)(2) of this section apply until the electors of the Columbiana, Mahoning, and Trumbull county taxing subdistrict approve a tax levy under division (F)(3) of this section that is equivalent to the tax levy approved by the electors of Jefferson county for the support of the former community college district of Jefferson county on the effective date of this section. For the purposes of this division, the tax levy is an equivalent tax levy if either:

(a) In the first tax year for which the tax is collected, it yields revenue per capita equal to or greater than the yield per capita of levies of the community college district in effect that year in Jefferson county, as jointly determined by the county auditors of Jefferson, Columbiana, Mahoning, and Trumbull counties; or

(b) In the first tax year for which the tax is collected, the effective tax rate of the tax is equal to or greater than the effective tax rate of levies of the community college district in effect that tax year in Jefferson county, as jointly determined by the county auditors of Jefferson, Columbiana, Mahoning, and Trumbull counties.

As used in this division, "effective tax rate" means the quotient obtained by dividing the total taxes charged and payable for a taxing subdistrict for a tax year after the reduction prescribed by section 319.301 of the Revised Code but before the reduction prescribed by section 319.302 or 323.152 of the Revised Code, by the taxable value for the taxing subdistrict for that tax year.

(F)(1) For each taxing subdistrict of the eastern gateway community college district, the board of trustees may propose to levy a tax in accordance with the procedures prescribed in section 3354.12 of the Revised Code, except the following terms used in that section shall have the meanings given them in this section:

(a) "District" and "community college district" mean the appropriate taxing subdistrict defined in this section;

(b) "Board of trustees of the community college district" means the board of trustees for the entire eastern gateway community college district. That board of trustees may propose separate levies for either of the two taxing subdistricts.

(c) "Tax duplicate" means the tax duplicate of only the appropriate taxing subdistrict and not the tax duplicate of the entire eastern gateway community college district.

(2) The board of trustees may propose to levy a tax on taxable property in Jefferson county to be voted on by the electors of Jefferson county as provided in division (F)(1) of this section. An affirmative vote by a majority of the electors of the subdistrict voting on the question is necessary for passage. Any money raised by a tax levied by the former community college district of Jefferson county or a subsequent tax levied in Jefferson county in accordance with division (F)(1) of this section shall be used solely for the benefit of Jefferson county residents attending the eastern gateway community college in the form of student tuition subsidies, student scholarships, and instructional facilities, equipment, and support services located within Jefferson county, or for any purpose approved by the electors. Such amounts shall be deposited into a separate fund of the taxing subdistrict, and shall be budgeted separately.

(3) The board of trustees may propose to levy a tax on taxable property in Columbiana, Mahoning, and Trumbull counties to be voted on by the electors of the counties as provided in division (F)(1) of this section. An affirmative vote by a majority of the electors of the subdistrict voting on the question is necessary for passage. Any amounts raised by such a tax in the tax subdistrict shall be used solely for the benefit of residents of the subdistrict attending the eastern gateway community college in the form of student tuition subsidies, student scholarships, and instructional facilities, equipment, and support services located within Columbiana, Mahoning, and Trumbull counties, or for any purpose approved by the electors. Amounts collected shall be deposited into a separate fund from all other revenues collected by each taxing subdistrict.

The board of trustees may adjust the rate of tuition charged to each taxing subdistrict's residents to an amount commensurate with the amount of tax the board of trustees dedicates for instructional and general services provided to the residents of the subdistrict.

(G) The board of trustees of the eastern gateway community college district may issue bonds in accordance with section 3354.11 of the Revised Code, but the board may limit the question of approval of the issue of those bonds to the electors of only one of the two taxing subdistricts, in which case the board also may limit the use of the property or improvements to the residents of that subdistrict.

(H) If the tax levy in Jefferson county expires, is not renewed, or is not approved by the electors of Jefferson county and the other taxing subdistrict does not levy a tax for the purposes of this section, the board of trustees of the eastern gateway community college district shall submit a proposal to the chancellor of the board of regents to convert to a state community college and, upon the chancellor's approval of the proposal, enter into a transition agreement with the chancellor following the procedures set forth in section 3358.05 of the Revised Code for a technical college district.

Section 3354.25 | Warren and Montgomery county community college district.
 

(A) The provisions of this section prevail over conflicting provisions of this chapter; however, except as provided in this section, the community college district and its board of trustees created by this section shall comply with the provisions of this chapter.

(B)(1) The territory of Warren county is hereby added to the territory of the community college district of Montgomery county, creating the Warren county Montgomery county community college district and replacing the former community college district of Montgomery county. The district created in this section may be known as and operate under the name of the Sinclair community college district.

(2) The community college district created by this section shall be divided into separate taxing subdistricts, one consisting of the territory of Warren county, and another consisting of the territory of Montgomery county.

Taxes for the benefit of the community college district shall be levied and the benefits from the revenues of those taxes shall be apportioned among the subdistricts only in accordance with this section.

(C) The board of trustees of the two-county community college district created by this section shall consist of eleven members.

(1) Nine members of the board of trustees shall be residents of Montgomery county. The initial Montgomery county members shall be the same members of the board of trustees of the former community college district of Montgomery county, as it existed prior to the effective date of this section, whose terms shall expire and whose successors shall be appointed as they would have otherwise under division (B) of section 3354.05 of the Revised Code.

(2) Two members of the board of trustees shall be residents of Warren county, one of whom shall be appointed by the board of county commissioners of Warren county, and one of whom shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Each of the initial appointments under division (C)(2) of this section shall be made within ninety days after the effective date of this section. At the time of the initial meeting of the trustees of the community college district created by this section, a drawing among the Warren county appointees shall be held to determine the initial term of each appointee, one trustee to serve for a term ending three years after the expiration date of the Montgomery county trustee's term that is the first to expire after the effective date of this section, and the other trustee to serve for a term ending five years after the expiration date of the Montgomery county trustee's term that is the first to expire after the effective date of this section. Thereafter, the successive terms of the Warren county members of the board of trustees shall be for five years, each term ending on the same day of the same month of the year as did the term which it succeeds. Each trustee shall hold office from the date of the trustee's appointment until the end of the term for which appointed. Any trustee appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which the trustee's predecessor was appointed shall hold office for the remainder of that term. Any trustee shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of the trustee's term until the trustee's successor takes office, or until a period of sixty days has elapsed, whichever occurs first.

(D) The board of trustees of the community college district created by this section shall continue to comply with division (G) of section 3354.09 of the Revised Code, regarding tuition for students who are residents of Ohio but not of the district, and for students who are nonresidents of Ohio. The tuition rate shall be based on the student's county of residence and shall apply to all Sinclair community college classes in all Sinclair community college locations. Except as provided in division (G)(2) of this section, students who are residents of Warren county shall continue to be charged tuition at the same rate as Ohio residents who are not residents of the district.

(E)(1) Unless the conditions prescribed in division (F) of this section are satisfied, the trustees from each respective county of the community college district created by this section shall have no vote on any of the following matters pertaining to the other county:

(a) Tax levies;

(b) The expenditure of revenue from tax levies;

(c) Levy-subsidized tuition rates.

(2) As long as either of the conditions prescribed in division (F)(1) or (2) of this section are satisfied, each member of the board of trustees shall have full voting rights on all matters coming before the board.

(3) At all times, on any matter related to community college programming or facilities within one county or the other, both of the following are necessary:

(a) The affirmative vote of a majority of the full membership of the board of trustees;

(b) The affirmative vote of at least fifty per cent of the trustees from the affected county.

(4) If the millage rate of the Warren county tax levy described in division (F) of this section is subsequently reduced by a vote of the electors of Warren county to the extent that it no longer satisfies a condition prescribed in either division (F)(1) or (2) of this section, the voting restrictions prescribed in division (E)(1) of this section again apply to the board effective on the first day of the tax year that begins after the reduction is approved by the electors.

(F) The voting restrictions of division (E)(1) of this section apply until the electors of Warren county approve a tax levy, in accordance with division (G)(3) of this section, equivalent to the tax levy approved by the electors of Montgomery county for the support of the former community college district of Montgomery county prior to the effective date of this section. For this purpose, an equivalent tax levy is a tax levied in Warren county that either:

(1) In the first tax year for which the tax is collected, yields revenue per capita equal to or greater than the yield per capita of levies of the community college district in effect that tax year in Montgomery county, as jointly determined by the county auditors of Montgomery and Warren counties;

(2) In the first tax year for which the tax is collected, imposes a millage rate that is equal to or greater than the effective tax rate of levies of the community college district in effect that tax year in Montgomery county, as jointly determined by the county auditors of Montgomery and Warren counties.

As used in division (F)(2) of this section, "effective tax rate" means the quotient obtained by dividing the total taxes charged and payable for the taxing subdistrict for a tax year, after the reduction prescribed by section 319.301 of the Revised Code but before the reduction prescribed by section 319.302 or 323.152 of the Revised Code, by the taxable value for the taxing subdistrict for that tax year.

(G)(1) The board of trustees may propose to levy a tax on taxable property in Montgomery county to be voted on by the electors of Montgomery county as provided in division (G)(3) of this section. Any money raised by a tax levied by the former community college district of Montgomery county or a subsequent tax levied in Montgomery county in accordance with division (G)(3) of this section shall be used solely for the benefit of Montgomery county residents attending Sinclair community college in the form of student tuition subsidy, student scholarships, and instructional facilities, equipment and support services located within Montgomery county, shall be deposited into a separate fund from all other revenues of the district, and shall be budgeted separately.

(2) The board of trustees may propose to levy a tax on taxable property in Warren county to be voted on by electors of Warren county as provided in division (G)(3) of this section. Any money raised by the tax shall be used solely for the benefit of Warren county residents attending Sinclair community college in the form of student tuition subsidy, student scholarships, and instructional facilities, equipment and support services located within Warren county, shall be deposited into a separate fund from all other revenues of the district, and shall be budgeted separately. If the tax is approved in accordance with division (G)(3)(c) of this section, the board of trustees may adjust the rate of tuition charged to Warren county residents commensurate with the amount of that tax the board of trustees dedicates for instructional and general services provided to Warren county residents.

(3) For each taxing subdistrict of the community college district created by this section, the board of trustees may propose to levy a tax in accordance with the procedures prescribed in section 3354.12 of the Revised Code, except as provided in divisions (G)(3)(a) to (c) of this section.

(a) Wherein section 3354.12 of the Revised Code the terms "district" and "community college district" are used, those terms shall be construed to mean the appropriate taxing subdistrict described in division (B)(2) of this section, except that the "board of trustees of the community college district" means the board of trustees for the entire community college district as described in division (C) of this section. That board of trustees may propose separate levies for either of the two taxing subdistricts.

(b) "Tax duplicate," as used in section 3354.12 of the Revised Code, means the tax duplicate of only the appropriate taxing subdistrict and not the tax duplicate of the entire community college district.

(c) The resolution of the board of trustees proposing a tax levy in the Warren county taxing subdistrict is subject to approval of a two-thirds vote of the board of county commissioners of Warren county. If so approved by the board of county commissioners of Warren county, that board shall certify the resolution to the Warren county board of elections, which shall place on the ballot for the electors of Warren county the question of levying the tax proposed in the resolution on all taxable property of the county. If approved by the electors of the county, the tax shall be levied as provided in section 3354.12 of the Revised Code and anticipation notes may be issued by the board of trustees in accordance with that section.

(H)(1) The board of trustees of the community college district created by this section may issue bonds in accordance with section 3354.11 of the Revised Code; however, the board may limit the question of approval of the issue of those bonds to the electors of only one of the two taxing subdistricts described in division (B)(2) of this section, in which case the board also may limit the use of the property or improvements to the residents of that subdistrict.

(2) A resolution of the board of trustees proposing the issuance of bonds for only the Warren county taxing subdistrict is subject to approval of a two-thirds vote of the board of county commissioners of Warren county. If so approved by the board of county commissioners of Warren county, that board shall certify the resolution to the Warren county board of elections which shall place on the ballot for the electors of Warren county the question of issuing bonds as proposed in the resolution.

Section 3354.26 | Rio Grande community college district contract authorized.
 

Notwithstanding the provisions in section 3354.07 and division (A) of section 3354.09 of the Revised Code, which allow the board of trustees of a community college district to contract with a generally accredited public university or college for operation of such community college, the board of trustees of the Rio Grande community college district and the board of trustees of the university of Rio Grande, a private nonprofit corporation also located in Rio Grande, Ohio, may enter into one or more contracts for the board of trustees of the university of Rio Grande to provide any services for the operation of the community college, except the services of a treasurer or other fiscal officer. Under the contracts, the community college board of trustees may acquire the services of the president of the university and other personnel, except as otherwise provided in this section. The community college board shall have exclusive authority to employ and make personnel decisions regarding the treasurer or other fiscal officer of the community college and any other personnel the community college board considers necessary for the operation of the community college. The purpose of the contracts shall be to provide the necessary leadership and to secure the efficient and effective provision of educational services for the community college from the university. The board of trustees of Rio Grande community college may terminate any such contract if a majority of the members of the board determines that the contract is no longer in the best interests of the community college. Each such contract shall include a provision for termination of the contract.