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One of the most significant elected positions on the county level in the State of Ohio is that of county commissioner. Details of how boards of commissioners operate, are paid, and their duties are outlined and enacted by the Ohio legislature, which is located in the state capital of Columbus.
Ohio has 88 counties in total, and in the vast majority of those counties, the head administrative body is an elected board of three county commissioners. In many cases, these elected officials are elected to four-year terms, although they are usually not all elected during the same year. A common "staggering" of their terms requires two of the board members to be elected during presidential election years, while the one remaining office holder is chosen by voters during off-year (non-presidential) years.
A board of county commissioners is more than just a legislative body; it acts as the chief administrative body for the entire county government. In Ohio, your commissioners are responsible for putting together and approving a yearly county budget; setting hiring and staff policies for departments; all of the purchase orders; and even appropriating taxpayer funds to the right department heads.
Additionally, in most counties, the actual property titles that are owned by county government are held in name by this elected board of three representatives. An effective county commissioner in Ohio usually is able to understand a broad scope of topics including law enforcement (county sheriff departments) and business development (since they are responsible for additional sources of government revenue, as well).
Taxing authority and budgeting decisions are not the only area of concern for your county commissioners. They are also called upon (in many of the 88 counties) to oversee additional functions of the government that include but aren't limited to annexation, waste disposal and recycling, public water and sewer issues, and the broadcasting of their own public meetings and hearings for the general public.
Because of the significant duties that this group of three elected office holders has in county administration, it's important that the voting populace learns as much as they can about the candidates before choosing the most qualified representative. The State of Ohio grants commissioners a substantial amount of authority in the decision making process behind spending of taxpayer funds, disbursement of funds to different departments, and safety of local families.
If you are interested in learning more about how your local commissioners board operates, it's best to attend one of their regularly-scheduled public meetings (which are required by law). Citizens are allowed and encouraged to interact directly with their elected officials and make their voice heard during public hearings and meetings.
Please find out more about the board of Lorain County Commissioners to get a better background on the duties of these elected officials. One of the members of this board is Commissioner Ted Kalo.
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