Section 329.40. Formation of joint county department of job and family services

(A)

(1) The boards of county commissioners of any two or more counties , by entering into a written agreement, may form a joint county department of job and family services to perform the duties, provide the services, and operate the programs required under this chapter. The agreement shall be ratified by resolution of the board of county commissioners of each county that entered into the agreement. Each board of county commissioners that enters into an agreement shall give notice of the agreement to the Ohio department of job and family services at least ninety days before the agreement's effective date. The agreement shall take effect not earlier than the first day of the calendar quarter following the ninety-day notice period. The director of job and family services shall adopt, as an internal management rule under section 111.15 of the Revised Code, the form in which the notice shall be given.

(2) The boards of county commissioners of the counties forming a joint county department shall constitute, collectively, the board of directors of the joint county department of job and family services. On the effective date of the agreement, the board of directors shall take control of and manage the joint county department subject to this chapter and all other sections of the Revised Code that govern the authority and responsibilities of a single board of county commissioners in the operation of a single county department of job and family services.

(B)

(1) An agreement to establish a joint county department shall specify all of the following:

(a) The obligations of each board of county commissioners in operating the joint county department, including requiring each board to provide state, federal, and county funds to the operation of the joint county department and the schedule for provision of those funds;

(b) How and which facilities, equipment, and personnel will be shared;

(c) Procedures for the division of resources and obligations if one or more counties withdraw from the joint county department or the department ceases to exist;

(d) Any contributions of participating counties establishing the joint county department and the rights of those counties in lands or personal property, or rights or interests therein, contributed to or otherwise acquired by the joint county department.

(2) An agreement to establish a joint county department may set forth any or all of the following:

(a) Quality, timeliness, and other standards to be met by each county;

(b) Which family service programs and functions are to be included in the joint county department;

(c) Procedures for the operation of the board of directors, including procedures governing the frequency of meetings and the number of members of the board required to constitute a quorum to take action;

(d) Any other procedures or standards necessary for the joint county department to perform its duties and operate efficiently.

(C) An agreement may be amended by a majority vote of the board of directors of the joint county department, but no amendment shall divest a participating county of any right or interest in lands or personal property without its consent.

(D) Costs incurred in operating a joint county department shall be paid from a joint general fund created by the board of directors, except as may be otherwise provided in the agreement.

(E) A joint county department established under this section is a public office as defined in section 117.01 of the Revised Code.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.141, HB 509, §1, eff. 9/28/2012.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.127, HB 487, §101.01, eff. 9/10/2012.

Added by 129th General AssemblyFile No.64, HB 225, §1, eff. 3/22/2012.