(A) The prosecuting attorney of the county with the largest population that formed a joint county department of job and family services under section 329.40 of the Revised Code shall serve as the legal advisor of the board of directors of the joint county department, unless the counties that formed the joint county department agree to appoint the prosecuting attorney of another county that formed the joint county department as legal advisor of the board. The board of directors may pay to the county of the prosecuting attorney who is the legal advisor of the board any amount agreed upon by the board of directors and the board of county commissioners of that county to reimburse that county for the costs that are properly allocable to the service of its prosecuting attorney as the legal advisor of the board of directors.

(B) The prosecuting attorney shall provide such services to the board of directors as are required or authorized to be provided to other county boards under Chapter 309. of the Revised Code.

(C)

(1) If the board of directors of a joint county department wishes to employ other legal counsel on an annual basis to serve as the board's legal advisor in place of the prosecuting attorney, the board may do so with the agreement of the prosecuting attorney. If the prosecuting attorney does not agree, the board of directors may apply to the court of common pleas of the county with the largest population that formed the joint county department for authority to employ other legal counsel on an annual basis.

(2) If the board of directors of a joint county department wishes to employ other legal counsel to represent or advise the board on a particular matter in place of the prosecuting attorney, the board may do so with the agreement of the prosecuting attorney. If the prosecuting attorney does not agree, the board of directors may apply to the court of common pleas of the county with the largest population that formed the joint county department for authority to employ other legal counsel for that particular matter.

(3) The prosecuting attorney who is the legal advisor of the board of directors shall be given notice of an application filed under division (C)(1) or (2) of this section and shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard. After the hearing, the court may authorize the board of directors to employ other legal counsel on an annual basis or for a particular matter only if it finds that the prosecuting attorney refuses or is unable to provide the legal services that the board requires. If the board of directors employs other legal counsel on an annual basis or for a particular matter, the board may not require the prosecuting attorney to provide legal advice, opinions, or other legal services during the period or to the extent that the board employs the other legal counsel.

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.