Local Government Fund InformationTHE OHIO MUNICIPAL LEAGUE AND IT’S SERVICES:
The Ohio Municipal League was incorporated as an Ohio non-profit corporation in 1952 by city and village officials who saw the need for a statewide association to serve the interests of Ohio municipal government.
The Ohio Municipal League is governed by a Board of Trustees, elected by the membership. The Board consists of all past presidents of the League, as long as they are municipal officials, and 28 Trustees elected for two-year terms. Of the 28 Trustees, at least one must be: the mayor of a city or village; a city manager; a fiscal officer or finance director; a solicitor or director of law; a member of a municipal legislative body, other than the mayor. The Board is the policy-making body and appoints an Executive Director to manage the League under their general direction.
Any city or village, by proper action of its legislative body and payment of the annual membership fee, may become a member. When an Ohio municipality becomes an active League member, all of the elected and key appointed officials are eligible to use the available services.
STAFF
Executive Director - - Susan J. Cave
Deputy Director - - John K. Mahoney
Editor, Cities and Villages - - Cynthia L. Grant
Senior Legislative Asst. - - Edward L. Albright
Accountant - - Joyce A. Richardson
Legislative Assistant - - Kent M. Scarrett
Office Manager - - Connie Retherford
Secretary - - April Strawser
Legal Counsel - - John E. Gotherman
Field Representative - - Stanley Umpleby
LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION
The OML represents the collective interest of Ohio cities and villages before the Ohio General Assembly and the state elected and administrative offices. An official legislative policy is developed every other year by a process that begins with the legislative committee and ends with the approval of the League's legislative policy statement by the membership at the annual conference.
Numerous bills affecting cities and villages are introduced each session. While the Ohio General Assembly is in session, weekly legislative bulletins are sent to municipal officials by regular mail and e-mail. These are supplemented by "fax bulletins" usually outlining some specific or fast action required. Legislative directories with Senators and Representatives addresses, phone numbers and committee assignments are provided to our members. And the first of each year, the League conducts a legislative conference where Senate and House leadership speak and the Senators and Representatives attend as invited guests.
OML staff testifies before legislative committees, coordinates testimony of municipal officials, prepares amendments, and meets and confers with legislators and their staff regularly.
Through its membership in the National League of Cities, the OML is able to keep Ohio's municipalities alerted to activities in Washington. Cities that are members of the OML are eligible to become direct member cities of NLC; only direct member city officials may serve on NLC Committees.
FIELD REPRESENTATIVE
As part of the outreach to members initiative, the OML has instituted a field representative program. A part-time employee of the League schedules visits to assist local officials in understanding how to better utilize the services of the OML. Our field representative will answer inquiries, provide minor technical assistance and inform members of important League sponsored and endorsed programs, training opportunities or pending and passed legislation.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
Legal Advocacy Program - In 1984 the OML established a Legal Advocacy Program funded by voluntary contributions of the members. This program allows the League to serve as the voice of cities and villages before the Ohio Supreme Court and the US Appeals and Supreme Court by filing briefs amicus curiae on cases of special concern to municipal governments.
Workers' Comp. Group Rating Pool - Established in 1991 as the result of a state law change, this program offers members of the League who qualify for and join the pool an opportunity to reduce their annual workers comp premiums. In addition the members receive assistance with claims administration from GatesMcDonald and Company, the plan administrator.
Ohio Municipal Joint Self Insurance Pool - Established in 1987 to provide municipal corporations coverage in the areas of general liability including public officials and police, auto liability and property. The pool is an unincorporated tax exempt non-profit organization, governed by its member municipalities. The pool is sponsored by the Ohio Municipal League and administered and operated by JWF Speciality Company.
OML Long Distance Phone Plan - A cost savings long distance phone plan administered by First Communications. In addition to lower long distance charges, member cities and villages receive calling cards, itemized billings and the availability of the program for their employees.
GAP Program - Jointly sponsored by the OML and other associations representing state and local governments, this program trains local government officials to serve as facilitators for resolving intra and inter governmental problems. The Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution & Conflict Management provides the impartial referral of the facilitators to requesting local governments.
TRAINING PROGRAMS
The Ohio Municipal League has been accredited by the Ohio Supreme Court as a sponsor of both Continuing Legal Education Programs for attorneys and the required Mayors Court training for Mayors hearing all types of cases. In addition OML is an authorized sponsor of continuing education programs by the Ohio Accountancy board.
Regular Training Activities:
Regional Seminars for Veteran and Newly Elected Municipal Officials
Municipal Leadership Training Academy
Mayors Court Training (year round)
Income Tax Seminar (Annual)
OML Annual Conference
Annual Conferences of Cooperating Associations.
RESEARCH/INQUIRIES
The staff responds to numerous requests for information on municipal problems. Resource documents include:
Sample ordinances from other Ohio cities and villages
Sample municipal policies
Municipal charters
Elected and appointed officials salaries
Ohio Revised Code
Ohio Administrative Code
Ohio Attorney General Opinions
Ohio Court Decisions
U.S. Code Service
Federal Register
Department of Taxation Reports
Publications from other State Municipal Leagues
National League of Cities Reports
Publications of National Organizations representing municipal officials
PUBLICATIONS
Cities and Villages - Magazine published 6 times per year
Municipal Government in Ohio - Municipal government organization, municipal powers and functions; powers and duties of municipal officers; updated every other year
Mayors Court Education Manual: General Offenses
Municipal Charters in Ohio: A Source Book
Various Sample Ordinances, Rules and Regulations on disk
Legislative Bulletin
Classified Ad Service
Municipal Officials Directory
