Section 131.23 - Issuing bonds to assist in paying unsecured indebtedness and disability assistanceThe various political subdivisions of this state may issue bonds, and any indebtedness created by that issuance shall not be subject to the limitations or included in the calculation of indebtedness prescribed by sections 133.05, 133.06, 133.07, and 133.09 of the Revised Code, but the bonds may be issued only under the following conditions:
(A) The subdivision desiring to issue the bonds shall obtain from the county auditor a certificate showing the total amount of delinquent taxes due and unpayable to the subdivision at the last semiannual tax settlement.(B) The fiscal officer of that subdivision shall prepare a statement, from the books of the subdivision, verified by the fiscal officer under oath, which shall contain the following facts of the subdivision:(1) The total bonded indebtedness;(2) The aggregate amount of notes payable or outstanding accounts of the subdivision, incurred prior to the commencement of the current fiscal year, which shall include all evidences of indebtedness issued by the subdivision except notes issued in anticipation of bond issues and the indebtedness of any nontax-supported public utility;(3) The indebtedness outstanding through the issuance of any bonds or notes pledged or obligated to be paid by any delinquent taxes;(4) The total of any other indebtedness;(5) The net amount of delinquent taxes unpledged to pay any bonds, notes, or certificates, including delinquent assessments on improvements on which the bonds have been paid;(6) The budget requirements for the fiscal year for bond and note retirement;(7) The estimated revenue for the fiscal year.(C) The certificate and statement provided for in divisions (A) and (B) of this section shall be forwarded to the tax commissioner together with a request for authority to issue bonds of the subdivision in an amount not to exceed seventy per cent of the net unobligated delinquent taxes and assessments due and owing to the subdivision, as set forth in division (B)(5) of this section.(D) No subdivision may issue bonds under this section in excess of a sufficient amount to pay the indebtedness of the subdivision as shown by division (B)(2) of this section.(E) The tax commissioner shall grant to the subdivision authority requested by the subdivision as restricted by divisions (C) and (D) of this section and shall make a record of the certificate, statement, and grant in a record book devoted solely to such recording and which shall be open to inspection by the public.(F) The commissioner shall immediately upon issuing the authority provided in division (E) of this section notify the proper authority having charge of the retirement of bonds of the subdivision by forwarding a copy of the grant of authority and of the statement provided for in division (B) of this section.(G) Upon receipt of authority, the subdivision shall proceed according to law to issue the amount of bonds authorized by the commissioner, and authorized by the taxing authority, provided the taxing authority of that subdivision may submit, by resolution, to the electors of that subdivision the question of issuing the bonds. The resolution shall make the declarations and statements required by section 133.18 of the Revised Code. The county auditor and taxing authority shall thereupon proceed as set forth in divisions (C) and (D) of that section. The election on the question of issuing the bonds shall be held under divisions (E), (F), and (G) of that section, except that publication of the notice of the election shall be made on two separate days prior to the election in a newspaper of general circulation in the subdivision or as provided in section 7.16 of the Revised Code. If the board of elections operates and maintains a web site, notice of the election also shall be posted on that web site for thirty days prior to the election. The bonds may be exchanged at their face value with creditors of the subdivision in liquidating the indebtedness described and enumerated in division (B)(2) of this section or may be sold as provided in Chapter 133. of the Revised Code, and in either event shall be uncontestable.(H) The per cent of delinquent taxes and assessments collected for and to the credit of the subdivision after the exchange or sale of bonds as certified by the commissioner shall be paid to the authority having charge of the sinking fund of the subdivision, which money shall be placed in a separate fund for the purpose of retiring the bonds so issued. The proper authority of the subdivisions shall provide for the levying of a tax sufficient in amount to pay the debt charges on all such bonds issued under this section.(I) This section is for the sole purpose of assisting the various subdivisions in paying their unsecured indebtedness. The bonds issued under authority of this section shall not be used for any other purpose, and any exchange for other purposes, or the use of the money derived from the sale of the bonds by the subdivision for any other purpose, is misapplication of funds.(J) The bonds authorized by this section shall be redeemable or payable in not to exceed ten years from date of issue and shall not be subject to or considered in calculating the net indebtedness of the subdivision. The budget commission of the county in which the subdivision is located shall annually allocate such portion of the then delinquent levy due the subdivision which is unpledged for other purposes to the payment of debt charges on the bonds issued under authority of this section.(K) The issue of bonds under this section shall be governed by Chapter 133. of the Revised Code, respecting the terms used, forms, manner of sale, and redemption except as otherwise provided in this section. The board of county commissioners of any county may issue bonds authorized by this section and distribute the proceeds of the bond issues to any or all of the cities and townships of the county.
All sections of the Revised Code inconsistent with or prohibiting the exercise of the authority conferred by this section are inoperative respecting bonds issued under this section.
Amended by 132nd General Assembly, HB 49,§101.01, eff. 12/31/2017.Amended by 129th General Assembly, HB 153, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2011.Amended by 128th General Assembly, HB 1, §101.01, eff. 10/16/2009.Effective Date: 06-26-2003; 06-30-2005; 06-01-2006