Ohio Municipal League

As part of Sunshine Week, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost released the 2026 “Yellow Book,” warning public officials not to use apps with disappearing messages (e.g., Signal, WhatsApp, Snapchat) for government business, as deleting communications may violate public records laws.
View the new Yellow Book 👇
https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Media/News-Releases/March-2026/AG-Yost-Releases-2026-Yellow-Book-Provides-Guidanc

Reminder: 2026 New Mayors Training is Almost Here!

Join us on March 20 at the Obetz Community Center for our 2026 New Mayors Training.

This seminar is designed for newly elected mayors but is also valuable for current and veteran mayors looking for updates on key issues like ethics, sunshine law, lobbying, and more—plus a chance to connect with municipal leaders from across Ohio.

⏰ Registration deadline: March 13
https://www.omlohio.org/293/New-Mayors-Training-Seminar

If you can’t attend, please share this with fellow mayors or incoming municipal leaders who could benefit!

The FY27-28 capital budget process has officially kicked off. Proposals for community projects are due to legislators by March 12, and we encourage you to get in contact with your legislators as soon as possible if you have not already done so for this purpose.

Ohio lawmakers looking at local requests now that capital budget is back on the table Ohio lawmakers are on a tight deadline to make the multi-billion dollar capital infrastructure bill happen, after finally getting the go-ahead earlier this month.

We appreciate this continued funding that goes toward body-worn camera programs in many of Ohio's cities and villages.

Body-worn cameras on law enforcement officers are commonplace today, protecting both the public and our first responders.

Today, we announced $4.4M in grant funding to help 10 local law enforcement agencies establish body-worn camera programs and to support 121 agencies in expanding or upgrading existing technology.

My administration is proud to have helped hundreds of local agencies incorporate this valuable technology into their daily routines since launching this program in 2021.

Details: https://bit.ly/3MllNn1

Communities across Ohio that chose to allow recreational ma*****na dispensaries after the passage of Issue 2 are starting to see adult-use cannabis excise tax revenue arrive. The state is also addressing issues connected to the first round of distributions.

Read more ⬇️
https://ow.ly/GcTU50Y4Ueg

Newly elected or a seasoned council member? Registration is now open for OML’s Newly Elected Council Seminar trainings!

These seminars are designed to prepare local leaders for the issues and responsibilities of municipal office—and to help officials navigate the successful management of their communities. Veteran council members and other municipal officials are also encouraged to attend.

📍 Feb. 7 – Cincinnati
📍 Feb. 21 – Columbus
📍 March 7 – Cleveland

👉 Learn more and register: https://www.omlohio.org/254/New-Council-Seminars

While OML-member communities largely encourage tourism, whether short-term rentals are viewed as good or bad – and whether a municipality regulates them or not – must be left up to that municipality.

Ohio cities want to rein in Airbnbs. This senator wants to open more Some Ohio cities have passed laws to ban or limit short-term rentals. Sen. Andrew Brenner wants to intervene on the industry's behalf.

Gov. DeWine announced 33 projects that will be awarded more than $75 million in tax credits to preserve 45 buildings across the state through the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit program. View the projects ⬇️
https://ow.ly/cKxg50XL5YH

🗓️ Happening Dec. 9–11!
The Ohio Grants Summit is a free virtual event held daily from 9 a.m. to noon, designed to help local leaders better understand available grant opportunities — and how to successfully pursue them.

If your community is looking to strengthen infrastructure, boost public safety, or support local projects, this is a valuable chance to build your grant-seeking toolkit.

👉 Learn more: https://grants.ohio.gov/about/ohio-grants-summit

Another Ohio community was shaken this week by violence at a short-term rental. Local governments must be able to regulate short-term rentals to protect public safety. But Senate Bill 104 and House Bill 109 would strip cities and villages of that authority.

The Ohio Municipal League continues to oppose this legislation and defend the rights of local communities to address their health, safety, and welfare.

‘Tragic and senseless’: Nine youths hurt in shooting at Bath Airbnb party; police seeking suspects Authorities say several youths were shot early Sunday at an Airbnb in Bath Township at a party that was promoted on social media.

👏 OML thanks Chair Jim Thomas & the Ohio House Judiciary Committee for including the 36% local share of Ohio’s adult-use cannabis tax in SB 56. This funding supports cities with dispensaries—helping public safety, zoning & health. On to House Finance tomorrow morning, followed by the full House int the afternoon!

OML's Annual Conference is underway — bringing together municipal officials from across Ohio to share ideas, discuss policy, and strengthen local leadership.

The conference kicked off yesterday and continues through tomorrow, and we’ve already had some great sessions on the issues that matter most to our communities.