The Allen County Board of Commissioners is the general administrative body for County government and performs duties which are specifically authorized by the state legislature. They are the budgeting, appropriating, taxing and purchasing authority for the county and they hold title to county property.
The Board is also responsible for hearing and ruling on annexations, alley vacations, drainage improvements through the petition ditch process, establishing water and sewer district rates as well as making improvements, and providing for solid waste disposal.
Each Commissioner is elected to a four-year term of office beginning January 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Two of the commissioners are elected at the time of the presidential election and one is elected at the time of the Ohio governor’s election. They manage the County budget of approximately $26 million in the general fund.
Individual commissioners have no power to act independently. All formal and official actions taken by the board must be approved with a majority or unanimous vote. As leaders, their exposure to all facets of county operations and the community at large provide them with the experience necessary to make often difficult decisions.
State law requires that at least 50 regular meetings be held each year. Regular meetings of the board are held every Tuesday and Thursday at 9 a.m. during the months of January thru April and September thru December. During the months of May thru August, regular meetings are held every Thursday at 9:00 a.m. The commissioners are in session on Tuesday’s during the months of May thru August. Occasionally, special meetings are held on days other than Tuesday and Thursday.
The Commissioners have direct oversight of 6 departments including Building and Grounds, Child Support Enforcement Agency, Department of Job and Family Services, Dog Warden, Sanitary Engineer and the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
