(A) The boards of county commissioners of two or more counties may undertake a regional transportation improvement project for the purpose of completing transportation improvements within the territory of the counties. The project shall be administered by a governing board in accordance with a cooperative agreement.

(B) The cooperative agreement shall provide for the creation of a governing board consisting of one county commissioner from each county that is a party to the agreement or a designee appointed by the board of county commissioners of the county for the purpose of serving on the governing board, and the county engineer of each such county or a designee appointed by the county engineer for the purpose of serving on the governing board. Membership on the board is not a direct or indirect interest in a contract or expenditure of money by the county. The board is a public body for the purposes of section 121.22 of the Revised Code and a public office for the purposes of section 149.43 of the Revised Code. Chapter 2744. of the Revised Code applies to the board.

(C) The governing board of a regional transportation improvement project is a body both corporate and politic, and the exercise by it of the powers conferred by this chapter in the financing, construction, maintenance, repair, and operation of transportation improvements are essential governmental functions.

(D) A board of county commissioners, in accordance with the cooperative agreement, may make appropriations to pay costs incurred by the governing board in the exercise of its functions under this chapter so long as such costs are approved by the director of transportation under section 5595.12 of the Revised Code.

Added by 130th General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 494, §1, eff. 3/23/2015.