reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1545 | Park Districts › Section 1545.05 | Park Commissioners.

Effective:
April 12, 2021
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 444 - 133rd General Assembly
(A) Upon the creation of a park district, the probate judge shall appoint three commissioners who shall take office immediately and whose terms shall expire one, two, and three years, respectively, from the first day of January next after the date of their appointment. Thereafter, their successors shall be appointed by the probate judge for terms of three years. Before entering upon the performance of the duties of the office, each commissioner shall take an oath to perform faithfully the duties of the office and, except as otherwise provided in section 3.061 of the Revised Code, shall give bond for that faithful performance in the sum of five thousand dollars. The bond shall be approved by and filed with the county auditor. The commissioners shall serve without compensation, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
(B) Any board of park commissioners of a park district may elect to expand the membership of the board from three members to five members upon a majority vote of the board. Upon such a vote, the board shall certify to the probate judge a resolution requesting the judge to appoint two additional members to the board. The probate judge shall appoint those additional members, and they shall take office immediately upon their appointment. One member shall be appointed to a term that expires on the first day of January of the year following the year of that member's appointment, and one member shall be appointed to a term that expires on the first day of January of the second year following the year of that member's appointment. Thereafter, their successors shall be appointed by the probate judge for terms of three years.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1545 | Park Districts › Section 1545.06 | Removal of Park Commissioners - Vacancy.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
Any park commissioner may be removed at the discretion of the probate judge, either upon complaint filed with such judge or upon his own motion. No such removal shall be made without giving such commissioner not less than ten days' notice and a full opportunity to be heard in his own behalf in a public hearing. The order removing such commissioner shall state the reasons therefor and shall be entered upon the records of the probate court. In case of such removal, or in case of other vacancy in the office of commissioner, the vacancy shall be filled by the judge by appointment for the unexpired term.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1545 | Park Districts › Section 1545.07 | Board of Park Commissioners - Employees.

Effective:
September 28, 2012
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 509 - 129th General Assembly
The commissioners appointed in accordance with section 1545.05 or pursuant to section 1545.041 of the Revised Code shall constitute the board of park commissioners of the park district. Such board shall be a body politic and corporate, and may sue and be sued as provided in sections 1545.01 to 1545.28 of the Revised Code. Such board may employ a secretary and such other employees as are necessary in the performance of the powers conferred in such sections. The board may appoint a treasurer to act as custodian of the board's funds and as fiscal officer for the park district. For the purposes of acquiring, planning, developing, protecting, maintaining, or improving lands and facilities thereon under section 1545.11 of the Revised Code, and for other types of assistance which it finds necessary in carrying out its duties under Chapter 1545. of the Revised Code, the board may hire and contract for professional, technical, consulting, and other special services, including, in accordance with division (D) of section 309.09 of the Revised Code, the legal services of the prosecuting attorney of the county in which the park district is located, and may purchase goods. In procuring any goods with a cost in excess of fifty thousand dollars, the board shall contract as a contracting authority under sections 307.86 to 307.91 of the Revised Code, to the same extent and with the same limitations as a board of county commissioners. In procuring services, the board shall contract in the manner and under procedures established by the bylaws of the board as required in section 1545.09 of the Revised Code.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1545 | Park Districts › Section 1545.071 | Group Insurance.

Effective:
September 29, 2013
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly
The board of park commissioners of any park district may procure and pay all or any part of the cost of group insurance policies that may provide benefits for hospitalization, surgical care, major medical care, disability, dental care, eye care, medical care, hearing aids, or prescription drugs, or sickness and accident insurance or a combination of any of the foregoing types of insurance or coverage for park district officers and employees and their immediate dependents issued by an insurance company duly authorized to do business in this state.
The board may procure and pay all or any part of the cost of group life insurance to insure the lives of park district employees.
The board also may contract for group health care services with health insuring corporations holding a certificate of authority under Chapter 1751. of the Revised Code provided that each officer or employee is permitted to:
(A) Choose between a plan offered by an insurance company and a plan offered by a health insuring corporation and provided further that the officer or employee pays any amount by which the cost of the plan chosen by the officer or employee exceeds the cost of the plan offered by the board under this section;
(B) Change the choice made under division (A) of this section at a time each year as determined in advance by the board.
Any appointed member of the board of park commissioners and the spouse and dependent children of the member may be covered, at the option and expense of the member, as a noncompensated employee of the park district under any benefit plan described in division (A) of this section. The member shall pay to the park district the amount certified to it by the benefit provider as the provider's charge for the coverage the member has chosen under division (A) of this section. Payments for coverage shall be made, in advance, in a manner prescribed by the board. The member's exercise of an option to be covered under this section shall be in writing, announced at a regular public meeting of the board, and recorded as a public record in the minutes of the board.
The board may provide the benefits authorized in this section by contributing to a health and welfare trust fund administered through or in conjunction with a collective bargaining representative of the park district employees.
The board may provide the benefits described in this section through an individual self-insurance program or a joint self-insurance program as provided in section 9.833 of the Revised Code.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1545 | Park Districts › Section 1545.08 | Reports of Board of Park Commissioners.

Effective:
November 25, 1971
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 595 - 109th General Assembly
The board of park commissioners shall compile and publish reports and information relating to the park district and to the proceedings and functions of the board. The board shall keep an accurate and permanent public record of all its proceedings.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1545 | Park Districts › Section 1545.081 | Use of Public Funds to Publish Information Regarding Activities Related to Liquor Permits.

Effective:
March 22, 2019
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 522 - 132nd General Assembly
Notwithstanding division (C)(1)(b) of section 9.03 of the Revised Code, the board of park commissioners of a park district may use public funds to publish, advertise, or otherwise communicate information regarding activities related to a permit issued to the park district under Chapter 4303. of the Revised Code.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1545 | Park Districts › Section 1545.09 | Bylaws and Rules.

Effective:
October 3, 2023
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly
(A) The board of park commissioners shall adopt such bylaws and rules as the board considers advisable for the preservation of good order within and adjacent to parks and reservations of land, and for the protection and preservation of the parks, parkways, and other reservations of land under its jurisdiction and control and of property and natural life therein. The board shall also adopt bylaws or rules establishing a procedure for contracting for professional, technical, consulting, and other special services. Any competitive bidding procedures of the board do not apply to the purchase of benefits for park district officers or employees when such benefits are provided through a health and welfare trust fund administered through or in conjunction with a collective bargaining representative of the park district employees, as authorized in section 1545.071 of the Revised Code. Summaries of the bylaws and rules shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation within the park district, once a week for two consecutive weeks or as provided in section 7.16 of the Revised Code, before taking effect.
(B)(1) As used in division (B)(2) of this section, "similar violation under state law" means a violation of any section of the Revised Code, other than division (C) of this section, that is similar to a violation of a bylaw or rule adopted under division (A) of this section.
(2) The board of park commissioners may adopt by bylaw a penalty for a violation of any bylaw or rule adopted under division (A) of this section, and any penalty so adopted shall not exceed in severity whichever of the following is applicable:
(a) The penalty designated under the Revised Code for a violation of the state law that is similar to the bylaw or rule for which the board adopted the penalty;
(b) For a violation of a bylaw or rule adopted under division (A) of this section for which the similar violation under state law does not bear a penalty or for which there is no similar violation under state law, a fine of not more than one hundred fifty dollars for a first offense and not more than one thousand dollars for each subsequent offense.
(3) A summary of any bylaw adopted under division (B)(2) of this section shall be published as provided in the case of ordinances of municipal corporations under section 731.21 of the Revised Code before taking effect.
(C) No person shall violate any bylaws or rules adopted under division (A) of this section. All fines collected for any violation of this section shall be paid into the treasury of such park board.
Last updated September 12, 2023 at 9:42 AM
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1545 | Park Districts › Section 1545.10 | Contract With Corporation or Association Maintaining Museum of Natural History.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
The board of park commissioners may contract for a term not exceeding three years, upon such terms as the board deems expedient, with any private corporation or association not for profit maintaining a museum of natural history in any county within which the park district is located in whole or in part, or which has for its object the promotion of interest in or the conservation and preservation of the flora or fauna in any portion or all of the territory comprising the district, for the purpose of obtaining for such district such services and assistance as can be rendered by such corporation or association.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1545 | Park Districts › Section 1545.11 | Board of Park Commissioners - Power to Acquire Lands.

Effective:
October 20, 1972
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 247 - 109th General Assembly
The board of park commissioners may acquire lands either within or without the park district for conversion into forest reserves and for the conservation of the natural resources of the state, including streams, lakes, submerged lands, and swamplands, and to those ends may create parks, parkways, forest reservations, and other reservations and afforest, develop, improve, protect, and promote the use of the same in such manner as the board deems conducive to the general welfare. Such lands may be acquired by such board, on behalf of said district, (1) by gift or devise, (2) by purchase for cash, by purchase by installment payments with or without a mortgage, by entering into lease-purchase agreements, by lease with or without option to purchase, or, (3) by appropriation. In furtherance of the use and enjoyment of the lands controlled by it, the board may accept donations of money or other property, or may act as trustees of land, money, or other property, and use and administer the same as stipulated by the donor, or as provided in the trust agreement. The terms of each such donation or trust shall first be approved by the probate court before acceptance by the board.
In case of appropriation, the proceedings shall be instituted in the name of the board, and shall be conducted in the manner provided in sections 163.01 to 163.22, inclusive, of the Revised Code.
This section applies to districts created prior to April 16, 1920.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1545 | Park Districts › Section 1545.13 | Park Commission Employees Designated as Law Enforcement Officers.

Effective:
January 1, 2004
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 490 - 124th General Assembly
(A) As used in this section, "felony" has the same meaning as in section 109.511 of the Revised Code.
(B) The employees that the board of park commissioners designates for that purpose may exercise all the powers of police officers within and adjacent to the lands under the jurisdiction and control of the board or when acting as authorized by section 1545.131 or 1545.132 of the Revised Code. Before exercising the powers of police officers, the designated employees shall comply with the certification requirement established in section 109.77 of the Revised Code, take an oath, and give a bond to the state in the sum that the board prescribes, for the proper performance of their duties in that respect. This division is subject to division (C) of this section.
(C)(1) The board of park commissioners shall not designate an employee as provided in division (B) of this section on a permanent basis, on a temporary basis, for a probationary term, or on other than a permanent basis if the employee previously has been convicted of or has pleaded guilty to a felony.
(2)(a) The board of park commissioners shall terminate the employment of an employee designated as provided in division (B) of this section if the employee does either of the following:
(i) Pleads guilty to a felony;
(ii) Pleads guilty to a misdemeanor pursuant to a negotiated plea agreement as provided in division (D) of section 2929.43 of the Revised Code in which the employee agrees to surrender the certificate awarded to the employee under section 109.77 of the Revised Code.
(b) The board shall suspend from employment an employee designated as provided in division (B) of this section if the employee is convicted, after trial, of a felony. If the employee files an appeal from that conviction and the conviction is upheld by the highest court to which the appeal is taken or if the employee does not file a timely appeal, the board shall terminate the employment of that employee. If the employee files an appeal that results in the employee's acquittal of the felony or conviction of a misdemeanor, or in the dismissal of the felony charge against the employee, the board shall reinstate that employee. An employee who is reinstated under division (C)(2)(b) of this section shall not receive any back pay unless that employee's conviction of the felony was reversed on appeal, or the felony charge was dismissed, because the court found insufficient evidence to convict the employee of the felony.
(3) Division (C) of this section does not apply regarding an offense that was committed prior to January 1, 1995.
(4) The suspension from employment, or the termination of the employment, of an employee under division (C)(2) of this section shall be in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1545 | Park Districts › Section 1545.131 | Mutual Aid Contracts.

Effective:
September 29, 2011
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 153 - 129th General Assembly
The board of park commissioners of a park district may enter into contracts with one or more townships, township police districts, joint police districts, municipal corporations, or county sheriffs of this state, with one or more township park districts created pursuant to section 511.18 of the Revised Code or other park districts, with one or more state universities or colleges, as defined in section 3345.12 of the Revised Code, or with a contiguous political subdivision of an adjoining state, and a township, township police district, joint police district, municipal corporation, county sheriff, township park district, other park district, or state university or college may enter into a contract with a park district upon any terms that are agreed to by them, to allow the use of the park district police or law enforcement officers designated under section 1545.13 of the Revised Code to perform any police function, exercise any police power, or render any police service on behalf of the contracting entity that the entity may perform, exercise, or render.
Chapter 2744. of the Revised Code, insofar as it applies to the operation of police departments, applies to the contracting entities and to the members of the police force or law enforcement department when they are rendering service outside their own subdivisions pursuant to that contract.
Members of the police force or law enforcement department acting outside the political subdivision in which they are employed, pursuant to that contract, shall be entitled to participate in any indemnity fund established by their employer to the same extent as while acting within the employing subdivision. Those members shall be entitled to all the rights and benefits of Chapter 4123. of the Revised Code, to the same extent as while performing service within the subdivision.
The contracts entered into pursuant to this section may provide for the following:
(A) A fixed annual charge to be paid at the times agreed upon and stipulated in the contract;
(B) Compensation based upon the following:
(1) A stipulated price for each call or emergency;
(2) The number of members or pieces of equipment employed;
(3) The elapsed time of service required in each call or emergency.
(C) Compensation for loss or damage to equipment while engaged in rendering police services outside the limits of the subdivision that owns and furnishes the equipment;
(D) Reimbursement of the subdivision in which the police force or law enforcement department members are employed for any indemnity award or premium contribution assessed against the employing subdivision for workers' compensation benefits for injuries or death of its police force or law enforcement department members occurring while engaged in rendering police services pursuant to the contract.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1545 | Park Districts › Section 1545.132 | Providing Police Service Without Contract.

Effective:
September 29, 2011
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 153 - 129th General Assembly
The police force or law enforcement department of any park district may provide police protection to any county, municipal corporation, township, township police district, or joint police district of this state, to any other park district or any township park district created pursuant to section 511.18 of the Revised Code, or to a governmental entity of an adjoining state without a contract to provide police protection, upon the approval, by resolution, of the board of park commissioners of the park district in which the police force or law enforcement department is located and upon authorization by an officer or employee of the police force or department providing the police protection who is designated by title of office or position, pursuant to the resolution of the board of park commissioners, to give the authorization.
Chapter 2744. of the Revised Code, insofar as it applies to the operation of police departments, shall apply to any park district and to members of its police force or law enforcement department when those members are rendering police services pursuant to this section outside the park district by which they are employed.
Police force or law enforcement department members acting, as provided in this section, outside the park district by which they are employed shall be entitled to participate in any pension or indemnity fund established by their employer to the same extent as while acting within the park district by which they are employed. Those members shall be entitled to all rights and benefits of Chapter 4123. of the Revised Code to the same extent as while performing services within the park district by which they are employed.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1545 | Park Districts › Section 1545.14 | Agreement With Other Public Authorities to Assume Control of Parks.

Effective:
August 4, 1961
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 30 - 104th General Assembly
A board of park commissioners may by agreement with the legislative or other public authority in control of parks or park lands either within or without the park district, assume control of all or a portion of any existing parks or park lands or otherwise contract or cooperate with such public authority in connection with the use, development, improvement, and protection of parks or park lands. In such event, such parks or park lands may be developed, improved, and protected as in case of lands otherwise acquired by said board. This section does not authorize said board to acquire or control any park, park lands, parkways, playgrounds, other lands, or boulevards owned or controlled by any other public authority except by agreement as provided in this section.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1545 | Park Districts › Section 1545.15 | Annexation Procedure.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
When conducive to the general welfare, any territory adjacent and contiguous to an existing park district, whether located within or without the county in which such district was created, may be annexed to such district. When a petition is filed with the board of park commissioners requesting such annexation, containing an accurate description of the territory proposed to be annexed, accompanied by an accurate map or plat of such territory, and signed either by a majority of the electors residing within such territory or by not less than fifty such electors, the board shall determine whether it is advisable that such annexation should be made. If the board determines in favor of such annexation, it shall make application to the probate court of the county in which such territory is located, setting forth the fact of the filing of such petition and the reasons why it is advisable that such territory should be annexed to such district. Any such board may of its motion file such petition in such court. Upon the filing of such petition, like proceedings shall be had as are provided in sections 1545.03 and 1545.04 of the Revised Code upon application for the creation of a park district, except that the territory so annexed may include a part only of an existing township or municipal corporation.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1545 | Park Districts › Section 1545.16 | Powers of Budget Commissioners, Auditors, and Treasurers in Relation to Park Districts.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
In the event of the annexation to a park district of territory located in a county other than the county in which such district was created, the budget commissioners of the county in which such annexed territory is located shall exercise, with reference to such annexed territory, the powers conferred upon budget commissioners by section 1545.20 of the Revised Code, and the county auditor and county treasurer of the county in which such annexed territory is located shall exercise, with reference to taxes levied and collected by the board of park commissioners upon such annexed territory, the powers conferred upon auditors and treasurers by section 1545.22 of the Revised Code.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1545 | Park Districts › Section 1545.17 | Improvement of Public Highway.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 361 - 100th General Assembly
When a public highway extends into or through a park area, or when a public highway forms all or part of a suitable connection between two or more park areas, and it is deemed advisable to make alterations in the route or width of such highway, or to grade, drain, pave, or otherwise improve such highway, boards of park commissioners may enter into agreements with the public authorities in charge or control of so much of said highway as lies within such park area or which forms the whole or part of a connecting link between two or more park areas, providing for the doing of any of such things, under the procedure authorized by law in case of such public authorities, and for the payment by such boards of so much of the cost thereof as is agreed upon. This section does not affect the legal status of such highway.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1545 | Park Districts › Section 1545.18 | Assessment of Cost of Improvement - Collection.

Effective:
October 30, 1969
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 276 - 108th General Assembly
In the development and improvement of the lands acquired by a board of park commissioners, such board may assess such portion of the cost of such development or improvement as it deems equitable, not to exceed fifty per cent of such total cost, upon abutting, contiguous, adjacent, or otherwise specifically benefited lands, in an amount not in excess of and in proportion to the special benefits conferred upon such lands by such development or improvement. Such assessment shall be payable in not to exceed ten equal annual installments, and said board may borrow money in anticipation of the collection of such special assessments. The proceedings had in the levying and collection of such special assessments, including the issue of bonds of the park district in anticipation of the collection of deferred assessments, shall be as provided in case of the levy and assessment of special assessments for street improvements in municipal corporations, insofar as such proceedings are applicable. If any such assessment is twenty-five dollars or less, or whenever the unpaid balance of any such assessment is twenty-five dollars or less, such assessment shall be paid in full, and not in installments, at the time when the first or next installment would otherwise become due and payable.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1545 | Park Districts › Section 1545.19 | Assessment May Be Increased With Consent of Property Owners.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
In case of any development or improvement, the assessments authorized by section 1545.18 of the Revised Code shall not in the aggregate exceed the cost of a development or improvement sufficient only to serve that need of the property to be assessed, unless the development or improvment has been petitioned for by the owners of not less than sixty per cent, both in foot frontage and in tax valuation, of the property to be assessed, consenting to a larger assessment than provided for in this section and section 1545.18 of the Revised Code, in which event such larger assessment may be levied to the extent specified in such petition.
Any owner of property to be assessed in accordance with section 1545.18 of the Revised Code may appeal to the probate court in the county in which such property is located from the action of the board of park commissioners in the matter of the determination of the aggregate amount to be assessed for any given development or improvement or in the matter of the determination of the assessment against any specific property, or both, in the manner provided in sections 6117.01 to 6117.40, inclusive, of the Revised Code, and the court may review and modify the action of the board with respect to such assessments.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1545 | Park Districts › Section 1545.20 | Tax Levy.

Effective:
October 30, 1989
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 230 - 118th General Assembly
A board of park commissioners may levy taxes upon all the taxable property within the park district in an amount not in excess of one-half of one mill upon each dollar of the district tax valuation in any one year, subject to the combined maximum levy for all purposes otherwise provided by law. After the budget commission of the county in which the district is located certifies such levy, or such modification thereof as it considers advisable, to the county auditor, he shall place it upon the tax duplicate. The board may then borrow money in anticipation of the collection of such tax, and issue the negotiable notes of such board therefor in an amount not in excess of fifty per cent of the proceeds of such tax, based upon the amount of the current tax valuation. Such notes shall not be issued for a period longer than one year, and shall be payable out of the proceeds of such levy. To the extent of such notes and the interest which accrues thereon such levy shall be exclusively appropriated to the payment of such notes. Any portion of such notes remaining unpaid through any deficiency in such levy shall be payable out of the next ensuing levy which shall be made by said board in the next ensuing year in an amount at least sufficient to provide for the payment of said notes, but not in excess of onehalf of one mill in accordance with section 133.17 of the Revised Code.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1545 | Park Districts › Section 1545.211 | Anticipation Notes.

Effective:
May 13, 1981
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 95 - 114th General Assembly
In addition to the authority conferred by section 1545.21 of the Revised Code, in anticipation of the collection of current revenues in and for any fiscal year, the board of park commissioners may borrow money and issue notes therefor in anticipation of the receipt of taxes for debt charges or current expenses to the extent necessary to meet such charges or expenses, but not in excess of the estimated receipts for the current tax year, less all advances. The sums so anticipated shall be deemed appropriated for the payment of such notes at maturity. The notes shall not run more than one year, nor bear interest at a rate exceeding the rate provided in section 9.95 of the Revised Code, and the proceeds therefrom shall be used only for the purposes for which the anticipated taxes were levied. No board shall borrow money or issue notes in anticipation of such taxes before the first day of January of the year of such tax receipts.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1545 | Park Districts › Section 1545.22 | Depositories for Funds - Duties of County Treasurer and County Auditor.

Effective:
October 5, 1987
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 231 - 117th General Assembly
(A) If a treasurer is appointed by a board of park commissioners pursuant to section 1545.07 of the Revised Code, the accounts of the board shall be kept by that treasurer. The treasurer shall be an ex officio officer of the board. No contract of the board shall become effective until the treasurer certifies that there are funds of the board sufficient to provide for that contract.
(B) If no treasurer is appointed by the board pursuant to section 1545.07 of the Revised Code:
(1) All funds under the control of a board of park commissioners shall be kept in depositories selected in the manner provided for the deposit of county funds, insofar as such proceedings are applicable, and such deposits shall be secured as provided in the case of county funds. The county treasurer of the county in which the park district is located shall be the custodian of the funds of the board and shall be an ex officio officer of the board. He shall pay the funds out upon the warrant of the county auditor of the county in which the district is located. Interest earned on all funds under the control of the board of park commissioners shall be credited to such funds.
(2) The county auditor shall be an ex officio officer of the board, and no contract of the board involving the expenditure of money shall become effective until the auditor certifies that there are funds of the board in the custody of the county treasurer and otherwise unappropriated sufficient to provide therefor. The auditor shall draw warrants on the treasurer to disburse the funds of the board upon order of the board, evidenced by the certificate of its secretary.
(3) Any such board of park commissioners may select a depository for the funds of the district, in the manner provided in sections 135.01 to 135.21 of the Revised Code, upon the adoption of a resolution declaring such intent. The resolution shall be certified to the board of county commissioners and to the treasurer in the counties in which the district is located. The board of park commissioners shall thereupon become the governing board for such district with respect to the deposit of funds of such district.
(C) If no deposits to or expenditures from the funds of a park district have been made for a period of five years, the county auditor or the treasurer appointed by the board shall send written notice to the probate court of the county.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1545 | Park Districts › Section 1545.23 | Disposition of Proceeds From Sale or Lease of Park Mineral Rights.

Effective:
September 29, 2013
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly
If a park district enters into an agreement for the sale or lease of mineral rights regarding a park within the district, any royalties or other moneys resulting from the sale or lease shall be deposited into a special fund that the board of park commissioners shall create. The fund shall be used exclusively for maintenance of parks within the district and for the acquisition of new park lands.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1545 | Park Districts › Section 1545.24 | Issuance of Bonds.

Effective:
October 30, 1989
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 230 - 118th General Assembly
The board of park commissioners of any park district may issue bonds pursuant to Chapter 133. of the Revised Code for the purpose of acquiring and improving lands as authorized by section 1545.11 of the Revised Code. The board may secure the payment of such bonds by pledge or deed of trust of any of its revenues and receipts resulting from rentals, concessions, licenses, and permits. The board shall not pledge the credit or taxing power of the district for the payment of any such bonds, nor shall any of the bonds issued under this section be deemed to be an indebtedness of the district.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1545 | Park Districts › Section 1545.27 | Bonds Are Lawful Investments.

Effective:
September 1, 1995
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 7 - 121st General Assembly
Park district revenue bonds are lawful investments of banks, trust companies, trustees, the boards of trustees of the sinking funds of municipal corporations, school districts, and counties, the administrator of workers' compensation, the state teachers retirement system, the public employees retirement system, and the school employees retirement system, and also are acceptable as security for the deposit of public moneys.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1545 | Park Districts › Section 1545.28 | Replacement Fund.

Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 361 - 100th General Assembly
The board of park commissioners may establish and maintain a replacement fund, and for that purpose may set aside annually out of its revenue such sum as it may determine necessary. In case of total or partial destruction of or injury to any of the property of the park district from any cause, or in case it becomes necessary to demolish part or to repair or replace the same, in whole or in part, because of the unfitness of such property, such replacement fund may be used to rebuild on the original site or elsewhere, or to restore, repair, or improve such property.
Such replacement fund may be invested by such district in bonds of the United States, the state, or of a county, municipal corporation, school district, or township of this state, and when necessary for the purposes of such funds such securities may be disposed of by such district.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1545 | Park Districts › Section 1545.35 | Dissolution of Active Park District.

Effective:
October 5, 1987
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 231 - 117th General Assembly
An active park district created under this chapter and to which no territory has been annexed under section 1545.15 of the Revised Code may be dissolved under section 1545.36 or 1545.37 of the Revised Code. An active park district to which territory has been annexed under section 1545.15 of the Revised Code may be dissolved only under the applicable provisions of section 1545.37 of the Revised Code. A park district that has been inactive for five years may be dissolved under section 1545.38 of the Revised Code.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1545 | Park Districts › Section 1545.36 | Petition for Dissolution of District.

Effective:
July 2, 2010
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 48 - 128th General Assembly
(A) When the board of elections of the county in which a park district is located has had filed with it a petition calling for the dissolution of the district, and determines that the petition meets the requirements of this section and section 3501.38 of the Revised Code, the board shall place the issue of the dissolution on the ballot at the next special election to be held on the day of a general or primary election. Written notice of the filing of the petition shall be sent immediately to the board of park commissioners and the probate court that created the district.
(B) The petition shall:
(1) Be filed with the board no less than ninety days before the next election;
(2) Be supported by the signatures of at least twenty-five per cent of the number of voters in the district who voted in the preceding gubernatorial election.
(C) If the petition as filed does not have the required number of signatures and the time for filing has elapsed, the board shall declare it invalid. No further petition for dissolution shall be received until after the next election is completed. On determination of these findings, the board shall send written notice of them to the principal circulator.
(D)(1) If a majority of the votes cast support the dissolution, the board shall immediately send written notice of the vote, citing the number of votes for and against the issue, to the probate court, to the board of park commissioners, and to the principal circulator. No park district shall be applied for within the dissolved district for a period of four years following the election in which the issue was supported.
(2) If the issue fails to obtain a majority of the votes cast, the board shall receive no further petition for dissolution until the fourth year following that in which the election failed, and shall send written notice of these results to the principal circulator and the board of park commissioners.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1545 | Park Districts › Section 1545.38 | Proceedings for Dissolution of Inactive District.

Effective:
September 6, 1979
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 31 - 113th General Assembly
On receipt of written notice from the county auditor that no deposits to or expenditures from the funds of a park district have been made for a period of five years, the probate court shall immediately serve written notice on the board of park commissioners and the auditor of a date for hearing on the dissolution of the district. The notice shall also order the board to forward to the court a complete, current financial statement of the assets and liabilities of the district, an inventory of its real and personal property, available deeds to, maps or plats for, and other records of real property of the park district, and copies of any available plans of the district for park acquisition and development, or capital improvements. A copy of the notice shall be served on each party. The court shall publish notice of the hearing for five consecutive days in a daily newspaper of general circulation within the district, ending no less than fifteen days before the hearing. The issue of dissolution shall be heard and determined by the court in accordance with the applicable provisions of division (F) of section 1545.37 of the Revised Code. If the court finds for dissolution, it shall as applicable proceed in accordance with section 1545.40 of the Revised Code.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1545 | Park Districts › Section 1545.39 | Ceasing Activity Pending Determination on Petition.

Effective:
September 6, 1979
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 31 - 113th General Assembly
On receipt of notice of the filing of a petition with the county board of elections or an application for hearing or a notice of hearing from the probate court, the board of park commissioners shall cease all acquisition of land and the development of existing land unless valid options or contracts for which funds have been committed have been previously signed. No activity shall be resumed until the board of elections or the court determines, respectively, that the petition or application is invalid and the issue will not be voted on or heard, or the issue fails election, or the court finds against dissolution, whichever is earlier.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1545 | Park Districts › Section 1545.99 | Penalty.

Effective:
September 30, 2008
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 220 - 127th General Assembly
Whoever violates division (C) of section 1545.09 of the Revised Code shall be punished as follows:
(A) Except as otherwise provided in division (B) of this section, the offender shall be fined not more than one hundred fifty dollars for a first offense and not more than one thousand dollars for each subsequent offense.
(B) If the board of park commissioners that adopted the bylaw or rule that the offender violated and that was the basis of the offender's violation of division (C) of section 1545.09 of the Revised Code has adopted a penalty for the violation under division (B) of that section, the offender shall be penalized in accordance with the penalty so adopted for the violation.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1546 | Division of Parks and Watercraft › Section 1546.02 | Creation of Division; Duties.

Effective:
September 14, 2016
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 293 - 131st General Assembly
(A) There is hereby created in the department of natural resources the division of parks and watercraft. The division shall do all of the following:
(1) Administer and enforce all laws relative to the identification, numbering, registration, titling, use, and operation of vessels operated on the waters in this state;
(2) Promote, and educate and inform the citizens of the state about, conservation, navigation, safety practices, and the benefits of recreational boating;
(3) Provide for and assist in the development, maintenance, and operation of marine recreational facilities, docks, launching facilities, and harbors for the benefit of public navigation, recreation, or commerce if the chief of the division determines that they are in the best interests of the state;
(4) Provide wild, scenic, and recreational river area conservation education and provide for corridor protection, restoration, habitat enhancement, and clean-up projects in those areas;
(5) Coordinate and plan trails in accordance with section 1519.03 of the Revised Code;
(6) Administer any state or federally funded grant program that is related to natural resources and recreation as considered necessary by the director of natural resources.
(B) The division shall create, supervise, operate, protect, and maintain, and promote the use by the public of, a system of state parks and wild, scenic, and recreational river areas. As part of that responsibility, the division shall control and manage all lands and waters dedicated and set apart for state park purposes. The division shall do all of the following regarding those lands and waters:
(1) Protect and maintain them;
(2) Make alterations and improvements;
(3) Construct and maintain dikes, wharves, landings, docks, dams, and other works;
(4) Construct and maintain roads and drives in, around, upon, and to the lands and waters to make them conveniently accessible and useful to the public.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1546 | Division of Parks and Watercraft › Section 1546.021 | Gifts, Devises or Bequests.

Effective:
September 14, 2016
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 293 - 131st General Assembly
The division of parks and watercraft may accept, receive, and expend gifts, devises, or bequests of money, lands, or other properties under the terms set forth in section 9.20 of the Revised Code.
2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources › Chapter 1546 | Division of Parks and Watercraft › Section 1546.03 | Chief of the Division; Administration of Ohio Boating Program.

Effective:
September 14, 2016
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 293 - 131st General Assembly
(A) The chief of the division of parks and watercraft shall act as a designee of the director of natural resources. The chief, with approval of the director, shall select such number of technical and administrative assistants as the chief deems necessary to assist the chief in administering the division and fix their compensation in accordance with sections 124.14, 124.15, 124.152, 124.18, and 1501.05 of the Revised Code.
The chief, with the approval of the director, shall determine policies and programs for the division.
(B) The chief may designate license agents with the approval of the director.
(C) The division is hereby designated as the agency to administer the Ohio boating safety program. The division also shall administer federal funds allocated under the "Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971," 85 Stat. 222, 46 U.S.C. 1475(a)(6), as amended. The chief shall prepare and submit reports in such form as may be required by that act.
(D) The chief may sell any of the following:
(1) Items related to or that promote boating safety, including pins, badges, books, bulletins, maps, publications, calendars, and other educational articles;
(2) Artifacts pertaining to boating;
(3) Confiscated or forfeited items;
(4) Surplus equipment.
(E) The chief may enforce any rules adopted under section 1546.04 of the Revised Code.