Chapter 731 | Organization

Section
Section 731.01 \| Members of legislative authority. Effective: March 2, 1992 Latest Legislation: House Bill 228 - 119th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Except as provided in divisions (B) and (D) of this section, the legislative power of each city shall be vested in, and exercised by, a legislative authority, composed of not fewer than seven members, four of whom shall be elected by wards and three of whom shall be elected by electors of the city at large. For the first twenty thousand inhabitants in any city, in addition to the original five thousand, there shall be two additional members of such legislative authority, elected by wards, and for every fifteen thousand inhabitants thereafter there shall be one additional member similarly elected. The total number of members of such legislative authority shall not exceed seventeen. (B) The legislative power of a city may be vested in, and exercised by, a legislative authority composed of not fewer than five nor more than seventeen members, to be determined in the manner provided in this division, and in lieu of the number required in division (A) of this section. Under the alternative plan for the composition of the legislative authority, the number of members shall be fixed in a resolution which may be submitted to the electors for their approval or rejection by a two-thirds vote of the members of the legislative authority, or by the people through an initiative petition in accordance with section 731.28 of the Revised Code. Such a resolution passed by the legislative authority shall not be subject to veto by the mayor, need not be published, and shall be immediately effective for purposes of placing such issue on the ballot. The resolution shall be submitted to the electors at the next general or primary election occurring not less than seventy-five days after its passage by the legislative authority, or the certification of the text of a resolution proposed by initiative petition to the board of elections. The resolution shall specify the total number of members, the number to be elected from the city at large, and the number to be elected from wards. Members may all be elected from the city at large or all elected from wards, or some may be elected from the city at large and the remainder elected from wards, as determined by the resolution. A resolution that changes the total number of members shall specify the method by which the change in number is to take effect, but no reduction in the number of members shall terminate the term of an incumbent. When the number of members elected from wards is changed, new ward boundaries shall be determined as provided in section 731.06 of the Revised Code. (C) The number of members of the legislative authority determined under an alternative plan for the composition of the legislative authority under division (B) of this section may be changed or abandoned by a resolution submitted to the electors in the same manner as provided in division (B) of this section for a resolution to institute such an alternative plan. When the alternative plan for determining the number of members of the legislative authority under division (B) of this section is abandoned, the number of members of the legislative authority shall be determined by division (A) of this section. (D) When a city has just been incorporated from township territory pursuant to Chapter 707. of the Revised Code, the legislative authority of the city initially shall be vested in and exercised by a legislative authority composed of not fewer than seven members elected by electors of the city at large. In all subsequent elections for the city legislative authority, the members shall be elected as provided in division (A) of this section.
Section 731.02 \| Qualifications of members of legislative authority. Effective: August 22, 1995 Latest Legislation: House Bill 99 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Members of the legislative authority at large shall have resided in their respective cities, and members from wards shall have resided in their respective wards, for at least one year immediately preceding their election. Each member of the legislative authority shall be an elector of the city, shall not hold any other public office, except that of notary public or member of the state militia, and shall not be interested in any contract with the city, and no such member may hold employment with said city. A member who ceases to possess any of such qualifications, or removes from the member's ward, if elected from a ward, or from the city, if elected from the city at large, shall forthwith forfeit the member's office. The purpose of establishing a one-year residency requirement in this section is to recognize that the state has a substantial and compelling interest in encouraging qualified candidacies for election to the office of member of the legislative authority of a city by ensuring that a candidate for such office has every opportunity to become knowledgeable with and concerned about the problems and needs of the area the candidate seeks to represent. In enacting this requirement, the general assembly finds that the one-year period is reasonably related to this purpose, while leaving unimpaired a person's right to travel, to vote, and to be a candidate for public office.
Section 731.03 \| Election and term of members of legislative authority. Effective: July 2, 2010 Latest Legislation: House Bill 48 - 128th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Except as otherwise provided in division (B) of this section, one member of the legislative authority of a city from each ward and such number of members thereof at large as is provided by section 731.01 of the Revised Code shall be chosen in each odd-numbered year. Members shall serve for a term of two years commencing on the first day of January next after their election. (B) A city legislative authority may, by majority vote, adopt a resolution causing the board of elections to submit to the city electors the question of whether the terms of office of the members of the legislative authority should be changed from two to four years. The question may also ask whether the legislative authority should be authorized to establish staggered four-year terms of office among members of the legislative authority by fixing certain terms of office at two years for one term of office but then at four years thereafter. If the resolution calls for submission of the question about staggered terms, the resolution shall specify the number of members to be elected for four-year terms and the number to be elected for two-year terms at the next election for such members. The resolution shall also specify how many of those members elected to four-year terms and how many of those members elected to two-year terms shall be elected from the city at large, and how many from wards. If staggered terms of office are established, the legislative authority shall fix the length of the terms of office prior to the last day fixed by law for filing as a candidate for such office. The question shall be voted upon at the next general election occurring not less than ninety days after the certification of the resolution to the board of elections. If a majority of the votes cast on the question is in the affirmative, the terms of office of the members of the legislative authority shall be four years effective on the first day of January following the next regular municipal election, except as may otherwise be provided by the legislative authority to establish staggered terms of office among members of the legislative authority. A city legislative authority whose members' terms of office are four years may, by a majority vote, adopt a resolution establishing staggered four-year terms of office among members of the legislative authority by fixing certain terms of office at two years for one term of office but then at four years thereafter. The resolution shall specify the number of members to be elected for four-year terms and the number to be elected for two-year terms, and shall specify how many of those members elected to four-year terms and how many of those members elected to two-year terms shall be elected from the city at large, and how many from wards. If staggered terms of office are established, the legislative authority shall fix the length of the terms of office prior to the last day fixed by law for filing as a candidate for such office. A city legislative authority whose members' terms of office are four years may, by majority vote, adopt a resolution causing the board of elections to submit to the city electors the question of whether the members' terms should be changed back from four to two years. The question shall be voted upon at the next general election occurring not less than ninety days after the certification of the resolution to the board of elections. If a majority of the votes cast on the question is in the affirmative, the terms of office of the members of the legislative authority shall be two years effective on the first day of January following the next regular municipal election.
Section 731.04 \| Officers of legislative authority. Effective: July 26, 1984 Latest Legislation: House Bill 338 - 115th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Within ten days from the commencement of their term, the members of the legislative authority of a city shall elect a president pro tempore, a clerk, and such other employees as are necessary, and fix their duties, bonds, and compensation. Such officers and employees shall serve for two years, unless the members of the legislative authority serve terms of four years pursuant to division (B) of section 731.03 of the Revised Code, in which case these officers and employees shall serve for four years, but may be removed at any time for cause, at a regular meeting of the legislative authority by a two-thirds vote of the members elected.
Section 731.05 \| Powers of legislative authority. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The powers of the legislative authority of a city shall be legislative only, it shall perform no administrative duties, and it shall neither appoint nor confirm any officer or employee in the city government except those of its own body, unless otherwise provided in Title VII of the Revised Code. All contracts requiring the authority of the legislative authority for their execution shall be entered into and conducted to performance by the board or officers having charge of the matters to which they relate. After the authority to make such contracts has been given and the necessary appropriation made, the legislative authority shall take no further action thereon.
Section 731.06 \| Division of city into wards. Effective: July 16, 1970 Latest Legislation: House Bill 994 - 108th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) The legislative authority of a city shall subdivide the city into wards, equal in number to the members of the legislative authority to be elected from wards, within ninety days after: (1) The first day of October of the year following the decennial census year; (2) The approval of the adoption, change, or abandonment of an alternative plan for the composition of the legislative authority of the city under division (B) or (C) of section 731.01 of the Revised Code, if the number of wards is changed; (3) The annexation of territory containing, according to the last federal census or a census authorized by the legislative authority, such population as will entitle the city to an additional member of the legislative authority under division (A) of section 731.01 of the Revised Code. (B) If the legislative authority fails to make such subdivision within the time required, it shall be made by the director of public service. (C) In order to provide substantially equal population in each of the wards, the legislative authority may redivide the city into wards at any time. (D) All wards shall be bounded, as far as practicable, by county lines, streets, alleys, lot lines, avenues, public grounds, canals, watercourses, municipal corporation lines, center lines of platted streets, or railroads, and shall be composed of adjacent and compact territory, and substantially equal in population. (E) The legislative authority may authorize and provide for conducting a census of the population of the city at any time in order to carry out the powers granted by this section. (F) Action of the legislative authority to divide the city into wards shall be taken by ordinance and shall be effective for the first municipal primary election occurring at least one hundred fifty days after the passage of the ordinance.
Section 731.07 \| Salaries shall not be changed during term. Effective: January 9, 1981 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 299 - 113th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The salary of any officer of a city shall not be increased or diminished during the term for which he was elected or appointed. This section does not prohibit the payment of any increased costs of continuing to provide the identical benefits provided to an officer at the commencement of his term of office. Unless otherwise provided, all fees pertaining to any office shall be paid into the city treasury.
Section 731.08 \| Power of legislative authority as to salaries and bonds. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Except as otherwise provided in Title VII of the Revised Code, the legislative authority of a city, by ordinance or resolution, shall determine the number of officers, clerks, and employees in each department of the city government, and shall fix, by ordinance or resolution, their respective salaries and compensation, and the amount of bond to be given for each officer, clerk, or employee in each department of the government, if any is required. Such bond shall be made by such officer, clerk, or employee, with surety subject to the approval of the mayor.
Section 731.09 \| Members of village legislative authority - election - terms of office. Effective: March 22, 2013 Latest Legislation: House Bill 347 - 129th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Except as otherwise provided in division (B) or (C) of this section, the legislative power of each village shall be vested in, and exercised by, a legislative authority, composed of six members, who shall be elected by the electors of the village at large, for terms of four years. At the municipal election held in the year 1961 two members shall be elected for terms of two years and four members shall be elected for terms of four years. Except in villages where a primary election was held in 1961 for the nomination of candidates for member of the legislative authority, the four candidates who receive the greatest number of votes cast shall be elected for terms of four years, and the two candidates who receive the next greatest number of the votes cast shall be elected for terms of two years. All candidates nominated prior to June 8, 1961, except by primary election, shall have their names grouped together on the election ballot regardless of whether their nominating petition or declaration of candidacy designated that they were candidates for a two-year or a four-year term. At the municipal election in 1963 and quadrennially thereafter, two members shall be elected for terms of four years. At the municipal election in 1965 and quadrennially thereafter, four members shall be elected for terms of four years. Beginning with the year 1964, all members of village council shall hold office for a term of four years. (B) The legislative authority of a village may adopt an ordinance or resolution that, if approved by a majority of the electors voting on the issue, would reduce the number of members of the legislative authority to five. A certified copy of the ordinance or resolution shall be filed with the board of elections no later than four p.m. of the ninetieth day before the day of the next election at which members of the legislative authority are to be elected. (C) The electors may propose a reduction in the number of members of the legislative authority from six to five by initiative petition in accordance with the procedure set forth in section 731.28 of the Revised Code. (D) If a majority of the votes cast on the question proposed under division (B) or (C) of this section is in the affirmative, the legislative authority shall be composed of five members, who shall be elected at large, for terms of four years. If members of the legislative authority have staggered terms of office as required by this section, the decrease in number of members shall be implemented as necessary over the next two municipal elections at which members of the legislative authority would be elected. If the legislative authority has adopted an ordinance or resolution to eliminate staggered terms of office under section 731.091 of the Revised Code, the five members shall be elected as set forth in division (B)(2) of that section.
Section 731.091 \| Elimination of staggered terms of office. Effective: June 30, 2013 Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) The legislative authority of a village may, by the adoption of an ordinance or resolution to eliminate staggered terms of office, determine that all members of the legislative authority shall be elected at the same municipal election as provided for in this section. (B) At the regular municipal election occurring not less than ninety days after the certification of the ordinance or resolution to the board of elections eliminating staggered terms of office, the following apply: (1) If there are six members of the legislative authority, the number of members eligible for election at that regular municipal election shall be elected to two-year nonstaggered terms, and all members of the legislative authority shall be elected to four-year nonstaggered terms at all following municipal elections. (2) If there are five members of the legislative authority, a number of members that is one less than the number of members that would otherwise be eligible for election at that regular municipal election but for the first-time implementation of the new membership of five, or, in the case of a village that has previously reduced its number of members to five, then the number of members eligible for election at that regular municipal election shall be elected to two-year nonstaggered terms, and all members shall be elected to four-year nonstaggered terms at all following municipal elections.
Section 731.10 \| President pro tempore of the legislative authority - employees. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF At the first meeting in January of each year, the legislative authority of a village shall immediately proceed to elect a president pro tempore from its own number, who shall serve until the first meeting in January next after his election. The legislative authority may provide such employees for the village as it determines, and such employees may be removed at any regular meeting by a majority of the members elected to such legislative authority. When the mayor is absent from the village or is unable, for any cause, to perform his duties, the president pro tempore shall be the acting mayor, and shall have the same powers and perform the same duties as the mayor.
Section 731.11 \| Vacancy when president pro tempore becomes mayor. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When the president pro tempore of the legislative authority of a village becomes the mayor, the vacancy thus created shall be filled as provided in section 731.43 of the Revised Code, and the legislative authority shall elect another president pro tempore from its own number, who shall have the same rights, powers, and duties as his predecessor.
Section 731.12 \| Qualifications of members of village legislative authority. Effective: August 22, 1995 Latest Legislation: House Bill 99 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Each member of the legislative authority of a village shall have resided in the village one year immediately preceding the member's election, and shall be an elector of the village. No member of the legislative authority shall hold any other public office, be interested in any contract with the village, or hold employment with said village, except that such member may be a notary public, a member of the state militia, or a volunteer fireman of said village, provided that such member shall not receive any compensation for his services as a volunteer fireman of the village in addition to his regular compensation as a member of the legislative authority. Any member who ceases to possess any of such qualifications or who removes from the village shall forfeit the member's office. The purpose of establishing a one-year residency requirement in this section is to recognize that the state has a substantial and compelling interest in encouraging qualified candidacies for election to the office of member of the legislative authority of a village by ensuring that a candidate for such office has every opportunity to become knowledgeable with and concerned about the problems and needs of the area the candidate seeks to represent. In enacting this requirement, the general assembly finds that the one-year period is reasonably related to this purpose, while leaving unimpaired a person's right to travel, to vote, and to be a candidate for public office.
Section 731.13 \| Compensation and bonds of village officers, clerks and employees. Effective: January 9, 1981 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 299 - 113th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The legislative authority of a village shall fix the compensation and bonds of all officers, clerks, and employees of the village except as otherwise provided by law. The legislative authority shall, in the case of elective officers, fix their compensation for the ensuing term of office at a meeting held not later than five days prior to the last day fixed by law for filing as a candidate for such office. All bonds shall be made with sureties subject to the approval of the mayor. The compensation so fixed shall not be increased or diminished during the term for which any officer is elected or appointed. This section does not prohibit the payment of any increased costs of continuing to provide the identical benefits provided to an officer at the commencement of his term of office.
Section 731.14 \| Contracts by legislative authority of a village - exception. Effective: October 13, 2020 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 4 - 133rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF All contracts made by the legislative authority of a village shall be executed in the name of the village and signed on its behalf by the mayor and clerk. 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, available from a qualified nonprofit agency pursuant to sections 4115.31 to 4115.35 of the Revised Code, or required to be purchased from a qualified nonprofit agency under sections 125.60 to 125.6012 of the Revised Code, or, during the period of emergency declared by Executive Order 2020-01D, issued on March 9, 2020, when the purchase is for personal protective equipment necessary to respond to that emergency, when any expenditure, other than the compensation of persons employed in the village, exceeds fifty thousand dollars, such contracts shall be in writing and made with the lowest and best bidder after advertising once a week for not less than two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation within the village. The legislative authority may also cause notice to be inserted in trade papers or other publications designated by it or to be distributed by electronic means, including posting the notice on the legislative authority's internet web site. If the legislative authority posts the notice on its web site, it may eliminate the second notice otherwise required to be published in a newspaper of general circulation within the village, provided that the first notice published in such newspaper meets all of the following requirements: (A) It is published at least two weeks before the opening of bids. (B) It includes a statement that the notice is posted on the legislative authority's internet web site. (C) It includes the internet address of the legislative authority's internet web site. (D) It includes instructions describing how the notice may be accessed on the legislative authority's internet web site. The bids shall be opened and shall be publicly read by the clerk of the village or a person designated by the clerk at the time, date, and place specified in the advertisement to bidders or specifications. The time, date, and place of bid openings may be extended to a later date by the legislative authority of the village, 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. This section does not apply to those villages that have provided for the appointment of a village administrator under section 735.271 of the Revised Code. As used in this section, "personal protective equipment" means equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause workplace injuries and illnesses.
Section 731.141 \| Village administrator to make contracts and purchases. Effective: October 3, 2023 Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF In those villages that have established the position of village administrator, as provided by section 735.271 of the Revised Code, the village administrator shall make contracts, purchase supplies and materials, and provide labor for any work under the administrator's supervision involving not more than the amount specified in section 9.17 of the Revised Code. When an expenditure, other than the compensation of persons employed by the village, exceeds the amount specified in section 9.17 of the Revised Code, the expenditure shall first be authorized and directed by ordinance of the legislative authority of the village. 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, available from a qualified nonprofit agency pursuant to sections 4115.31 to 4115.35 of the Revised Code, or required to be purchased from a qualified nonprofit agency under sections 125.60 to 125.6012 of the Revised Code, the village administrator 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 village or as provided in section 7.16 of the Revised Code. The bids shall be opened and shall be publicly read by the village administrator or a person designated by the village administrator at the time, date, and place as specified in the advertisement to bidders or specifications. The time, date, and place of bid openings may be extended to a later date by the village administrator, 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. All contracts shall be executed in the name of the village and signed on its behalf by the village administrator and the clerk. 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. The legislative authority of a village may provide, by ordinance, for central purchasing for all offices, departments, divisions, boards, and commissions of the village, under the direction of the village administrator, who shall make contracts, purchase supplies or materials, and provide labor for any work of the village in the manner provided by this section. Last updated September 22, 2023 at 4:15 PM
Section 731.15 \| Bids and proceedings. Effective: October 1, 1987 Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 117th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Each bid on any contract under section 731.14 or 731.141 of the Revised Code shall contain the full name of every person interested in such bid. If the bid is for a contract for the construction, demolition, alteration, repair, or reconstruction of an improvement, it shall meet the requirements of section 153.54 of the Revised Code. If the bid is for any other contract authorized by section 731.14 or 731.141 of the Revised Code, it 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 the performance of it properly secured. If the bid for work embraces both labor and material, it shall be separately stated, with the price thereof. The legislative authority of a village, or, in the event a village administrator has been appointed as provided by section 735.271 of the Revised Code, the village administrator may reject any and all bids. The contract shall be between the village and the bidder, and the village shall pay such contract price in cash. When a bonus is offered for completion of a contract prior to a specified date, the legislative authority, or, in the event a village administrator has been appointed as provided by section 735.271 of the Revised Code, the village administrator may exact a prorated penalty in like sum for each day of delay beyond the specified date. When there is reason to believe there is collusion or combination among bidders, the bids of those concerned therein shall be rejected.
Section 731.16 \| Alterations or modifications of contracts. Effective: September 28, 1965 Latest Legislation: House Bill 397 - 106th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When it becomes necessary in the opinion of the legislative authority of a village, or, in the event a village administrator has been appointed as provided by section 735.271 of the Revised Code, the village administrator, in the prosecution of any work under contract, to make alterations or modifications in such contract, such alterations or modifications shall be made only by the legislative authority by resolution, or, in the event a village administrator has been appointed as provided by section 735.271 of the Revised Code, such alterations or modifications shall be made only by the village administrator in writing, but such resolution or written modification 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 contractor, and by the mayor, or, in the event a village administrator has been appointed as provided by section 735.271 of the Revised Code, the village administrator on behalf of the village. No contractor shall recover anything for work or material because of any alteration or modification, unless such contract is made as provided by this section, nor shall he recover for such work or material, or either, more than the agreed price. The law relating to requiring bids and the awarding of contracts for public buildings, so far as they apply, shall remain in effect. A duplicate copy of each contract shall be filed in the office of the village treasurer.
Section 731.17 \| Passage of ordinances and resolutions. Effective: November 19, 1975 Latest Legislation: House Bill 350 - 111th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) The following procedures shall apply to the passage of ordinances and resolutions of a municipal corporation: (1) Each ordinance and resolution shall be read by title only, provided the legislative authority may require any reading to be in full by a majority vote of its members. (2) Each ordinance or resolution shall be read on three different days, provided the legislative authority may dispense with this rule by a vote of at least three-fourths of its members. (3) The vote on the passage of each ordinance or resolution shall be taken by yeas and nays and entered upon the journal. (4) Each ordinance or resolution shall be passed, except as otherwise provided by law, by a vote of at least a majority of all the members of the legislative authority. (B) Action by the legislative authority, not required by law to be by ordinance or resolution, may be taken by motion approved by at least a majority vote of the members present at the meeting when the action is taken.
Section 731.18 \| Style of ordinances. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The style of all ordinances shall be, "Be it ordained by the __________ filling the blank with the name of the legislative authority of the city or village) of _______________state of Ohio," (filling the blank with the name of the city or village.)
Section 731.19 \| Subject and amendment of bylaws, ordinances, and resolutions. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF No ordinance, resolution, or bylaw shall contain more than one subject, which shall be clearly expressed in its title. No bylaw or ordinance, or section thereof, shall be revived or amended, unless the new bylaw or ordinance contains the entire bylaw, ordinance, or section revived or amended, and the bylaw, ordinance, or section so amended shall be repealed. Each such bylaw, resolution, and ordinance shall be adopted or passed by a separate vote of the legislative authority of a municipal corporation and the yeas and nays shall be entered upon the journal.
Section 731.20 \| Authentication and recording. Effective: September 29, 2011 Latest Legislation: House Bill 153 - 129th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Ordinances, resolutions, and bylaws shall be authenticated by the signature of the presiding officer and clerk of the legislative authority of the municipal corporation. A succinct summary of ordinances of a general nature or providing for improvements shall be published as provided by sections 731.21 and 731.22 of the Revised Code before going into operation. No ordinance shall take effect until the expiration of ten days after the first publication of such notice. As soon as a bylaw, resolution, or ordinance is passed and signed, it shall be recorded by the clerk in a book furnished by the legislative authority for that purpose.
Section 731.21 \| Publication of ordinances and resolutions. Effective: October 3, 2023 Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) A succinct summary of each municipal ordinance or resolution and all statements, orders, proclamations, notices, and reports required by law or ordinance to be published shall be published using at least one of the following methods: (1) In a newspaper of general circulation in the municipal corporation; (2) On the official public notice web site established under section 125.182 of the Revised Code; (3) On the web site and social media account of the municipal corporation. Proof of the publication shall be made by affidavit of the proprietor of the newspaper or operator of the official public notice web site, as applicable, and shall be filed with the clerk of the legislative authority. (B) The publication shall contain notice that the complete text of each such ordinance or resolution may be obtained or viewed at the office of the clerk of the legislative authority of the municipal corporation and may be viewed at any other location designated by the legislative authority of the municipal corporation. The city director of law, village solicitor, or other chief legal officer of the municipal corporation shall review the summary of an ordinance or resolution published under this section before forwarding it to the clerk for publication, to ensure that the summary is legally accurate and sufficient. (C) Upon publication of a summary of an ordinance or resolution in accordance with this section, the clerk of the legislative authority shall supply a copy of the complete text of each such ordinance or resolution to any person, upon request, and may charge a reasonable fee, set by the legislative authority, for each copy supplied. The clerk shall post a copy of the text at the clerk's office and at every other location designated by the legislative authority. Last updated September 22, 2023 at 4:15 PM
Section 731.211 \| Method of giving notice of proposed charter amendments. Effective: September 29, 2011 Latest Legislation: House Bill 153 - 129th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF In accordance with Section 9 of Article XVIII, Ohio Constitution, notice of proposed amendments to municipal charters shall be given in one of the following ways: (A) Not less than thirty days prior to the election at which the amendment is to be submitted to the electors, the clerk of the municipality shall mail a copy of the proposed charter amendment to each elector whose name appears upon the poll or registration books of the last regular or general election held therein. (B) The full text of the proposed charter amendment shall be published once a week for not less than two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipal corporation or as provided in section 7.16 of the Revised Code, with the first publication being at least fifteen days prior to the election at which the amendment is to be submitted to the electors.
Section 731.22 \| Times of publication required. Effective: October 3, 2023 Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The publication required in section 731.21 of the Revised Code shall be for the following times: (A) Summaries of ordinances or resolutions, and proclamations of elections, once a week for two consecutive weeks; (B) Notices, not less than two nor more than four consecutive weeks; (C) All other matters shall be published once. Last updated September 22, 2023 at 4:16 PM
Section 731.23 \| Publication and certification of ordinances in book form. Effective: October 3, 2023 Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When ordinances are revised, codified, rearranged, published in book form, and certified as correct by the clerk of the legislative authority of a municipal corporation and the mayor, such publication shall be a sufficient publication, and the ordinances so published, under appropriate titles, chapters, and sections, shall be held the same in law as though they had been published in accordance with section 731.21 of the Revised Code. A new ordinance so published in book form, a summary of which has not been published as required by sections 731.21 and 731.22 of the Revised Code, and which contains entirely new matter, shall be published as required by such sections. If such revision or codification is made by a municipal corporation and contains new matter, it shall be a sufficient publication of such codification, including the new matter, to publish, in the manner required by such sections, a notice of the enactment of such codifying ordinance, containing the title of the ordinance and a summary of the new matters covered by it. Such revision and codification may be made under appropriate titles, chapters, and sections and in one ordinance containing one or more subjects. Except as provided by this section, a succinct summary of all ordinances, including emergency ordinances, shall be published in accordance with section 731.21 of the Revised Code. Last updated September 22, 2023 at 4:17 PM
Section 731.231 \| Adopting standard or technical ordinances and codes. Effective: October 3, 2023 Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The legislative authority of a municipality may adopt standard ordinances and codes, prepared and promulgated by the state, or any department, board, or other agency thereof or any code prepared and promulgated by a public or private organization which publishes a model or standard code, including but not limited to codes and regulations pertaining to fire, fire hazards, fire prevention, plumbing code, electrical code, building code, refrigeration machinery code, piping code, boiler code, heating code, or air conditioning code, by incorporation by reference. The publication required by sections 731.21 to 731.24, inclusive, of the Revised Code, shall clearly identify such code, shall state the purpose of the code, shall state that a complete copy of such code is on file with the clerk of the legislative authority for inspection by the public and also on file in the law library of the county or counties in which the municipality is located and that said clerk has copies available for distribution to the public at cost. If the adopting municipality amends or deletes any provisions of such code, the publication shall contain a brief summary of such deletion or amendment. If the agency which originally promulgated or published the code thereafter amends said code, any municipality which has adopted a code by the provisions of this section may adopt such amendment or change by incorporation by reference in an amending ordinance by the same procedure as required for the adoption of the original code without the necessity of setting forth in full in the amending ordinance the provisions of the original ordinance or code. Ordinances or codes adopted by a municipality under the provisions of this section shall be deemed to be a full and complete compliance with sections 731.21 to 731.25, inclusive, of the Revised Code, and no other publication is necessary. Last updated September 22, 2023 at 4:17 PM
Section 731.24 \| Certificate of clerk as to publication. Effective: October 3, 2023 Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Immediately after the expiration of the period of publication of summaries of ordinances required by section 731.22 of the Revised Code, the clerk of the legislative authority of a municipal corporation shall enter on the record of ordinances, in a blank to be left for such purpose under the recorded ordinance, a certificate stating in which manner and on what dates such publication was made, and shall sign the clerk's name thereto officially. Such certificate shall be prima-facie evidence that legal publication of the summary of the ordinance was made. Last updated September 22, 2023 at 4:18 PM
Section 731.25 \| [Former R.C. 731.26, amended and renumbered by H.B. 33, 135th General Assembly, effective 10/3/2023] Effect of not making publication. Effective: October 3, 2023 Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF It is a sufficient defense to any suit or prosecution under an ordinance, to show that no publication or posting was made as required by sections 731.21 to 731.24, inclusive, of the Revised Code. Last updated October 5, 2023 at 4:44 AM
Section 731.27 \| Mayor's veto in cities. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Every ordinance or resolution of a legislative authority of a city shall, before it goes into effect, be presented to the mayor for approval. The mayor, if he approves such ordinance or resolution, shall sign and return it forthwith to the legislative authority. If he does not approve it, he shall, within ten days after its passage or adoption, return it, with his objections, to the legislative authority, or, if it is not in session, to the next regular meeting thereof, which objections shall be entered upon its journal. The mayor may approve or disapprove the whole or any item of an ordinance appropriating money. If he does not return such ordinance or resolution within the time limited in this section, it shall take effect in the same manner as if he had signed it, unless the legislative authority, by adjournment, prevents its return. When the mayor disapproves an ordinance or resolution, or any part thereof, and returns it with his objections, the legislative authority may, after ten days, reconsider it, and if such ordinance, resolution, or item, upon such reconsideration, is approved by a two-thirds vote of all the members elected, it shall then take effect as if signed by the mayor.
Section 731.28 \| Ordinances and measures proposed by initiative petition. Effective: July 2, 2010 Latest Legislation: House Bill 48 - 128th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Ordinances and other measures providing for the exercise of any powers of government granted by the constitution or delegated to any municipal corporation by the general assembly may be proposed by initiative petition. Such initiative petition must contain the signatures of not less than ten per cent of the number of electors who voted for governor at the most recent general election for the office of governor in the municipal corporation. When a petition is filed with the city auditor or village clerk, signed by the required number of electors proposing an ordinance or other measure, such auditor or clerk shall, after ten days, transmit a certified copy of the text of the proposed ordinance or measure to the board of elections. The auditor or clerk shall transmit the petition to the board together with the certified copy of the proposed ordinance or other measure. The board shall examine all signatures on the petition to determine the number of electors of the municipal corporation who signed the petition. The board shall return the petition to the auditor or clerk within ten days after receiving it, together with a statement attesting to the number of such electors who signed the petition. The board shall submit such proposed ordinance or measure for the approval or rejection of the electors of the municipal corporation at the next general election occurring subsequent to ninety days after the auditor or clerk certifies the sufficiency and validity of the initiative petition to the board of elections. No ordinance or other measure proposed by initiative petition and approved by a majority of the electors voting upon the measure in such municipal corporation shall be subject to the veto of the mayor. As used in this section, "certified copy" means a copy containing a written statement attesting it is a true and exact reproduction of the original proposed ordinance or other measure.
Section 731.29 \| Petition for referendum. Effective: July 2, 2010 Latest Legislation: House Bill 48 - 128th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Any ordinance or other measure passed by the legislative authority of a municipal corporation shall be subject to the referendum except as provided by section 731.30 of the Revised Code. No ordinance or other measure shall go into effect until thirty days after it is filed with the mayor of a city or passed by the legislative authority in a village, except as provided by such section. When a petition, signed by ten per cent of the number of electors who voted for governor at the most recent general election for the office of governor in the municipal corporation, is filed with the city auditor or village clerk within thirty days after any ordinance or other measure is filed with the mayor or passed by the legislative authority of a village, or in case the mayor has vetoed the ordinance or any measure and returned it to council, such petition may be filed within thirty days after the council has passed the ordinance or measure over the veto, ordering that such ordinance or measure be submitted to the electors of such municipal corporation for their approval or rejection, such auditor or clerk shall, after ten days, and not later than four p.m. of the ninetieth day before the day of election, transmit a certified copy of the text of the ordinance or measure to the board of elections. The auditor or clerk shall transmit the petition to the board together with the certified copy of the ordinance or measure. The board shall examine all signatures on the petition to determine the number of electors of the municipal corporation who signed the petition. The board shall return the petition to the auditor or clerk within ten days after receiving it, together with a statement attesting to the number of such electors who signed the petition. The board shall submit the ordinance or measure to the electors of the municipal corporation, for their approval or rejection, at the next general election occurring subsequent to ninety days after the auditor or clerk certifies the sufficiency and validity of the petition to the board of elections. No such ordinance or measure shall go into effect until approved by the majority of those voting upon it. Sections 731.28 to 731.41 of the Revised Code do not prevent a municipal corporation, after the passage of any ordinance or other measure, from proceeding at once to give any notice or make any publication required by such ordinance or other measure. As used in this section, "certified copy" means a copy containing a written statement attesting that it is a true and exact reproduction of the original ordinance or other measure.
Section 731.30 \| Application of sections. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Whenever the legislative authority of a municipal corporation is required to pass more than one ordinance or other measure to complete the legislation necessary to make and pay for any public improvement, sections 731.28 to 731.41, inclusive, of the Revised Code shall apply only to the first ordinance or other measure required to be passed and not to any subsequent ordinances and other measures relating thereto. Ordinances or other measures providing for appropriations for the current expenses of any municipal corporation, or for street improvements petitioned for by the owners of a majority of the feet front of the property benefited and to be especially assessed for the cost thereof, and emergency ordinances or measures necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety in such municipal corporation, shall go into immediate effect. Such emergency ordinances or measures must, upon a yea and nay vote, receive a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to the legislative authority, and the reasons for such necessity shall be set forth in one section of the ordinance or other measure.
Section 731.31 \| Presentation of petition. Effective: March 23, 1981 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1062 - 113th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Any initiative or referendum petition may be presented in separate parts, but each part of any initiative petition shall contain a full and correct copy of the title and text of the proposed ordinance or other measure, and each part of any referendum petition shall contain the number and a full and correct copy of the title of the ordinance or other measure sought to be referred. Each signer of any such petition must be an elector of the municipal corporation in which the election, upon the ordinance or measure proposed by such initiative petition, or the ordinance or measure referred to by such referendum petition, is to be held. Petitions shall be governed in all other respects by the rules set forth in section 3501.38 of the Revised Code. In determining the validity of any such petition, all signatures which are found to be irregular shall be rejected, but no petition shall be declared invalid in its entirety when one or more signatures are found to be invalid except when the number of valid signatures is found to be less than the total number required by this section. The petitions and signatures upon such petitions shall be prima facie presumed to be in all respects sufficient. No ordinance or other measure submitted to the electors of any municipal corporation, and receiving an affirmative majority of the votes cast thereon, shall be held ineffective or void on account of the insufficiency of the petitions by which such submission of the ordinance or measure was procured, nor shall the rejection, by a majority of the votes cast thereon, of any ordinance or other measure submitted to the electors of such municipal corporation, be held invalid for such insufficiency. Ordinances proposed by initiative petition and referendums receiving an affirmative majority of the votes cast thereon, shall become effective on the fifth day after the day on which the board of elections certifies the official vote on such question.
Section 731.32 \| Copy of proposed ordinance or measure filed with auditor or clerk. Effective: October 10, 1991 Latest Legislation: House Bill 192 - 119th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Whoever seeks to propose an ordinance or measure in a municipal corporation by initiative petition or files a referendum petition against any ordinance or measure shall, before circulating such petition, file a certified copy of the proposed ordinance or measure with the city auditor or the village clerk. As used in this section, "certified copy" means a copy containing a written statement attesting that it is a true and exact reproduction of the original proposed ordinance or measure or of the original ordinance or measure.
Section 731.33 \| Words which shall be printed in red. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF At the top of each part of the petition mentioned in section 731.32 of the Revised Code, the following words shall be printed in red: NOTICE Whoever knowingly signs this petition more than once, signs a name other than his own, or signs when not a legal voter is liable to prosecution.
Section 731.34 \| Designation of committee filing petition. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The petitioners may designate in any initiative or referendum petition a committee of not less than three of their number, who shall be regarded as filing the petition. After a petition has been filed with the city auditor or village clerk it shall be kept open for public inspection for ten days. If, after a petition proposing an ordinance or other measure has been filed with such auditor or clerk, the proposed ordinance or other measure, or a substitute for the proposed ordinance or measure approved by such committee, is passed by the legislative authority of the municipal corporation, the majority of the committee shall notify the board of elections in writing and such proposed ordinance or measure shall not be submitted to a vote of the electors. If, after a verified referendum petition has been filed against any ordinance or measure, the legislative authority of the municipal corporation repeals such ordinance or measure, or it is held to be invalid, the board of elections shall not submit such ordinance or measure to a vote of the electors.
Section 731.35 \| Itemized statement by circulator of petition. Effective: March 23, 1981 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1062 - 113th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) The circulator of an initiative or referendum petition, or his agent, shall, within five days after such petition is filed with the city auditor or village clerk, file an itemized statement, made under penalty of election falsification, showing in detail: (1) All moneys or things of value paid, given, or promised for circulating such petition; (2) Full names and addresses of all persons to whom such payments or promises were made; (3) Full names and addresses of all persons who contributed anything of value to be used in circulating such petitions; (4) Time spent and salaries earned while circulating or soliciting signatures to petitions by persons who were regular salaried employees of some person who authorized them to solicit signatures for or circulate the petition as a part of their regular duties. (B) The statement provided for in division (A) of this section shall not be required from persons who take no other part in circulating a petition than signing declarations to parts of the petition and soliciting signatures to them. (C) Such statement shall be open to public inspection for a period of one year.
Section 731.36 \| Prohibited practices relative to petitions. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF No person shall, directly or indirectly: (A) Willfully misrepresent the contents of any initiative or referendum petition; (B) Pay or offer to pay any elector anything of value for signing an initiative or referendum petition; (C) Promise to help another person to obtain appointment to any office provided for by the constitution or laws of this state or by the ordinances of any municipal corporation, or to any position or employment in the service of the state or any political subdivision thereof as a consideration for obtaining signatures to an initiative or referendum petition; (D) Obtain signatures to any initiative or referendum petition as a consideration for the assistance or promise of assistance of another person in securing an appointment to any office or position provided for by the constitution or laws of this state or by the ordinance of any municipal corporation therein, or employment in the service of the state or any subdivision thereof; (E) Alter, add to, or erase any signatures or names on the parts of a petition after such parts have been filed with the city auditor or village clerk; (F) Fail to file the sworn itemized statement required in section 731.35 of the Revised Code.
Section 731.38 \| Prohibition against accepting premium for signing. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF No person shall accept anything of value for signing an initiative or referendum petition.
Section 731.40 \| Prohibition against threats in securing signatures. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF No person shall, directly or indirectly, by intimidation or threats, influence or seek to influence any person to sign or abstain from signing, or to solicit signatures to or abstain from soliciting signatures to an initiative or referendum petition.
Section 731.41 \| Charter municipal corporations. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Sections 731.28 to 731.41, inclusive, of the Revised Code do not apply to any municipal corporation which adopts its own charter containing an initiative and referendum provision for its own ordinances and other legislative measures.
Section 731.42 \| Bylaws and ordinances as evidence. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The printed copies of the bylaws or ordinances of a municipal corporation, published under its authority, and transcripts of any bylaws, resolutions, or ordinances, or of any act or proceeding of a municipal corporation, recorded in any book or entered on any minutes or journal kept under the direction of such municipal corporation, and certified by its clerk, shall be received in evidence throughout the state for any purpose for which the original books, ordinances, minutes, or journals would be received.
Section 731.43 \| Vacancy in city or village legislative authority. Effective: March 17, 1998 Latest Legislation: House Bill 445 - 122nd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A)(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (A)(2) of this section, when the office of a member of the legislative authority of a village becomes vacant, the vacancy shall be filled by election by the legislative authority for the unexpired term. If the legislative authority fails within thirty days to fill such vacancy, the mayor shall fill it by appointment except that, subject to division (A)(2) of this section, when the vacancy occurs because of the operation of section 733.25 of the Revised Code, the successor shall hold office only for the period the president pro tempore of the legislative authority holds the office of mayor. (2) When a vacancy occurs in the office of a member of the legislative authority of a village with a population of less than two thousand because of the operation of section 733.25 of the Revised Code, at the time the president pro tempore becomes mayor the president pro tempore shall decide whether the president pro tempore wishes to serve the remainder of the president pro tempore's unexpired term as a member of the legislative authority of the village when the mayor's successor is elected and qualified in accordance with that section. If the president pro tempore decides to serve the remainder of the president pro tempore's unexpired term as a member of the legislative authority, the vacancy on the legislative authority shall not be filled and the president pro tempore shall resume serving the president pro tempore's unexpired term on the legislative authority as soon as the mayor's successor is elected and qualified. If the president pro tempore decides not to resume serving the remainder of the president pro tempore's unexpired term as a member of the legislative authority as soon as the mayor's successor is elected and qualified, then the vacancy in the office of member of the legislative authority shall be filled in accordance with this section. (B) Except as otherwise provided in this division, when the office of a member of the legislative authority of a city becomes vacant either because a member ceases to hold the office before the end of the member's term or because a member-elect fails to take office, the vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term by a person chosen by the residents of that city who are members of the county central committee of the political party by which the last occupant of that office or the member-elect was nominated. If the vacancy occurs in the office of a ward representative in a city where the political party which nominated the last occupant of that office is organized into a city controlling committee with more than one member from the ward where the vacancy exists, the members of the city controlling committee representing that ward shall choose the person to fill the vacancy. (C) Not less than five nor more than forty-five days after a vacancy occurs, the specified members of the city or county committee shall meet to make an appointment to fill the vacancy. At least four days before the date of such meeting the chairperson or secretary of the city or county committee shall notify each committee member eligible to vote on filling the vacancy by first class mail of the date, time, and place of the meeting and its purpose. A majority of all eligible committee members constitutes a quorum, and a majority of the quorum is required to make the appointment. If election to the office so vacated took place at a nonpartisan election, or if the office was occupied by, or was to be occupied by a person not nominated at a primary election, or if the appointment was not made by the committee members in accordance with this section, the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as a vacancy in the legislative authority of a village, as provided in this section. Last updated September 26, 2023 at 11:34 AM
Section 731.44 \| Judge of election and qualification of members - quorum and special meetings. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The legislative authority of a municipal corporation shall be the judge of the election and qualification of its members. A majority of all the members elected shall be a quorum, but a less number may adjourn from day to day and compel attendance of absent members in such manner and under such penalties as are prescribed by ordinance. The legislative authority shall provide rules for the manner of calling special meetings.
Section 731.45 \| Rules - journal - expulsion of members. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The legislative authority of a municipal corporation shall determine its own rules and keep a journal of its proceedings. It may punish or expel any member for disorderly conduct or violation of its rules, and declare his seat vacant for absence without valid excuse, where such absence has continued for two months. No expulsion shall take place without the concurrence of two thirds of all the members elected, and until the delinquent member has been notified of the charge against him and has had an opportunity to be heard.
Section 731.46 \| Meetings of legislative authority. Effective: October 17, 1955 Latest Legislation: House Bill 936 - 101st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The legislative authority of a municipal corporation shall not be required to hold more than one regular meeting in each week. The meetings may be held at such time and place as is prescribed by ordinance and shall, at all times, be open to the public. The mayor, or any three members of the legislative authority may call special meetings upon at least twelve hours' notice to each member, served personally or left at his usual place of residence.
Section 731.47 \| General powers. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The legislative authority shall have the management and control of the finances and property of the municipal corporation, except as otherwise provided.
Section 731.48 \| Contract restrictions. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The legislative authority of a municipal corporation shall not enter into any contract which is not to go into full operation during the term for which all the members of such legislative authority are elected.
Section 731.49 \| Failure to take oath or give bond. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The legislative authority of a municipal corporation may declare vacant the office of any person elected or appointed to such office who, within ten days after he has been notified of his appointment or election, or obligation to give a new or additional bond, fails to take the required official oath or to give any bond required of him.
Section 731.50 \| Notice when new bond required. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When the legislative authority of a municipal corporation declares by resolution that an officer shall give a new bond, written notice shall be served by its clerk upon the officer designated, and a copy of the notice, with a statement of the time and place of service, shall be recorded in the proceedings of the legislative authority. If the officer fails to give such new bond, with sureties, to the satisfaction of the mayor, within ten days after such service, the legislative authority shall declare the office vacant, and the vacancy shall be filled in the manner provided in Title VII of the Revised Code. When the new bond is accepted or the legislative authority declares the office vacant, the sureties in the original bond shall cease to be liable for the acts of such officer done thereafter, but shall continue to be liable for his acts then already done.
Section 731.51 \| Notice to owner to cut noxious weeds or remove litter - service. Effective: August 6, 1976 Latest Legislation: House Bill 294 - 111th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Upon written information that noxious weeds are growing on lands in a municipal corporation, and are about to spread or mature seeds, the legislative authority shall cause a written notice to be served upon the owner, lessee, agent, or tenant having charge of such land, notifying him that noxious weeds are growing on such lands and that they must be cut and destroyed within five days after the service of such notice. (B) Upon a finding by the legislative authority that litter has been placed on lands in a municipal corporation, and has not been removed, and constitutes a detriment to public health, the legislative authority of a municipal corporation shall cause a written notice to be served upon the owner and, if different, upon the lessee, agent, or tenant having charge of the littered land, notifying him that litter is on the land, and that it must be collected and removed within fifteen days after the service of the notice. As used in this section and section 731.53 of the Revised Code, "litter" includes any garbage, waste, peelings of vegetables or fruits, rubbish, ashes, cans, bottles, wire, paper, cartons, boxes, parts of automobiles, wagons, furniture, glass, oil of an unsightly or unsanitary nature, or anything else of an unsightly or unsanitary nature. If the owner or other person having charge of the land is a nonresident of the municipal corporation whose address is known, the notice shall be sent to his address by certified mail. If the address of the owner or other person having charge of the land is unknown it is sufficient to publish the notice once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county. This section does not apply to land being used under a municipal building or construction permit or license, a municipal permit or license, or a conditional zoning permit or variance to operate a junk yard, scrap metal processing facility, or similar businesses, or a permit or license issued pursuant to Chapter 3734., sections 4737.05 to 4737.12, or Chapter 6111. of the Revised Code.
Section 731.52 \| Fees for service and return. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF A marshal, police officer, clerk of the legislative authority of a municipal corporation, or a deputy, may make service and return of the notice provided for in section 731.51 of the Revised Code and the fees therefor shall be the same as are allowed for service and return of summons in civil cases before a magistrate.
Section 731.53 \| Procedure when owner fails to comply with notice. Effective: August 6, 1976 Latest Legislation: House Bill 294 - 111th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF If the owner, lessee, agent or tenant having charge of the lands mentioned in section 731.51 of the Revised Code, fails to comply with the notice required by such section, the legislative authority of a municipal corporation shall cause such noxious weeds to be cut and destroyed or such litter removed and may employ the necessary labor to perform the task. All expenses incurred shall, when approved by the legislative authority, be paid out of any money in the treasury of the municipal corporation not otherwise appropriated.
Section 731.54 \| Written return to county auditor - amount a lien upon property. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The legislative authority of a municipal corporation shall make a written return to the county auditor of its action under sections 731.51 to 731.53, inclusive, of the Revised Code, with a statement of the charges for its services, the amount paid for the performing of such labor, the fees of the officers who made the service of the notice and return, and a proper description of the premises. Such amounts, when allowed, shall be entered upon the tax duplicate, shall be a lien upon such lands from the date of the entry, and shall be collected as other taxes and returned to the municipal corporation with the general fund.
Section 731.55 \| Insurance for city funds or securities - costs. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF All funds or securities in the possession or custody of any city official in his official capacity, or any funds or securities the possession or custody of which is charged to any city official, including funds or securities in transit to or from any bank or trust company, may be insured by the legislative authority of the city in such amount as is found necessary in the public interest. All costs of such insurance shall be paid by the city by ordinance adopted by the legislative authority thereof, in the same manner as other legal claims against the city are allowed and paid.
Section 731.56 \| Investment of city funds. Effective: March 5, 1987 Latest Legislation: House Bill 144 - 116th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The legislative authority of a municipal corporation may, by ordinance, provide that whenever there are moneys in the treasury of such municipal corporation which will not be required to be used by such municipal corporation for a period of six months or more, such moneys may be invested in obligations of such municipal corporation, obligations made eligible for the deposit or investment of interim moneys of subdivisions of the state under section 135.14 of the Revised Code, bonds of this state, and bonds of any municipal corporation, county, township, or other political subdivision of this state, as to which there is no default of principal, interest, or coupons. Such investments shall not be made at a price in excess of the current market value of such bonds or other interest-bearing obligations. Such bonds or other interest-bearing obligations may be liquidated or sold for cash and for a sum not less than their current market price, in the manner prescribed in sections 731.57 to 731.59 of the Revised Code.
Section 731.57 \| Investment authorized - limitations - procedure. Effective: September 27, 1996 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 81 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Whenever the money in the treasury of any municipal corporation is to be invested as provided for in section 731.56 of the Revised Code, the auditor or other chief fiscal officer shall submit to the mayor, or to the chief executive officer if the mayor is not such, and to the village solicitor or city director of law of such municipal corporation, a statement of moneys in the treasury or in the process of collection, and a schedule showing the probable requirements of money for the use of the municipal corporation for a period of not less than six months as the ordinance under section 731.56 of the Revised Code, or as the chief executive officer directs, together with a recommendation as to whether any moneys in the treasury shall be invested in such obligations. The mayor or other chief executive officer, the village solicitor or city director of law, and the auditor or other chief fiscal officer may thereupon order such investments, at not more than the current market value, as they deem advisable, in the interest of the municipal corporation. It is unnecessary to advertise bonds before such investment is made. No investment, other than an interim deposit as authorized by section 731.56 and division (B)(3) of section 135.14 of the Revised Code shall be made except in obligations which have been passed upon and approved as to validity by a reputable firm of bond attorneys. Whenever it is necessary to convert any such investment into cash, it shall be done by first offering the obligations held by the municipal corporation to the sinking fund commission, and if the sinking fund commission declines to take any of them, they shall be sold in any manner authorized by law for the sale of investments by the sinking fund. No obligations shall be liquidated or sold for less than the current market value.
Section 731.58 \| Treasury investment account. Effective: January 9, 1961 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 104th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The chief accounting officer of the municipal corporation shall maintain an account, to be known as the "treasury investment account," in which he shall enter all transactions relating to the investment of treasury funds under sections 731.56 and 731.57 of the Revised Code. He shall maintain a record and furnish to the treasurer of the municipal corporation a duplicate of all items entered thereon, showing all bonds or other securities purchased or sold for the treasury account, with the number, maturity, date, and interest rate of each. Such accounting officer shall keep a record of the number and maturity of interest coupons, and whenever any such securities or interest coupons are due he shall issue his order for their collection, in the same manner as other receipts are collected.
Section 731.59 \| Custody of municipal securities. Effective: September 29, 2015 Latest Legislation: House Bill 64 - 131st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF All securities belonging to the treasury of any municipal corporation or to any fund thereof, other than the sinking fund, may be placed in the custody of any member of the federal reserve banking system, upon the issuance by such member of its custodian or other bailment receipt to the treasurer of the municipal corporation. Such custody shall be as a qualified trustee pursuant to division (E) of section 135.18 of the Revised Code, which shall be required to report to the treasurer, auditor of state, or an authorized outside auditor at any time upon request as to the identity, market value, and location of the document evidencing each security. Such securities, if not kept in the custody of a member of the federal reserve banking system, shall be in the custody of such treasurer and shall be kept in a safe deposit box or vault belonging to a regular depository of the municipal corporation. If such securities are so kept, such safe deposit box or vault shall be opened only in the presence of one or more of the three officers named in section 731.57 of the Revised Code, and only upon a warrant or order of the chief accounting officer directing the deposit or removal of securities purchased or sold or the clipping of interest coupons for collection. A report of whatever is placed in or removed from such safe deposit box or vault upon any such occasion shall be signed by the treasurer and by the witness required by this section, and shall be returned to the chief accounting officer upon the same day. Whenever any securities are so held for the municipal corporation the officers having power to make such investments shall be bonded in amounts to be stipulated by ordinance. Such bonds may cover other contingencies in which such officers might become liable to the municipal corporation. In the event securities are deposited with a member of the federal reserve banking system, such securities may be withdrawn or sold only upon order of the three officers named in such section. All investments, except for investments by the municipal corporation in the issues of such municipal corporation, shall be made only through a member of the national association of securities dealers, inc., through a bank, savings bank, or savings and loan association regulated by the superintendent of financial institutions, or through an institution regulated by the comptroller of the currency, federal deposit insurance corporation, board of governors of the federal reserve system, or federal home loan bank board. Payment for investments shall be made only upon the delivery of securities representing such investments to the treasurer or qualified trustee. If the securities transferred are not represented by a certificate, payment shall be made only upon receipt of confirmation of transfer from the custodian by the treasurer, governing board, or qualified trustee.
Section 731.99 \| Penalty. Effective: July 1, 1996 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 2 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Whoever violates section 731.36 of the Revised Code shall be fined not less than one hundred nor more than five hundred dollars. (B) Whoever violates section 731.40 of the Revised Code is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. (C) Whoever violates section 731.38 of the Revised Code shall be fined not more than twenty-five dollars.