(A) When it is determined to let the work relating to the improvements for which a sanitary district was established by contract, contracts in amounts to exceed fifty thousand dollars shall be advertised after notice calling for bids has been published once a week for five consecutive weeks completed on the date of last publication or as provided in section 7.16 of the Revised Code, in a newspaper of general circulation within the sanitary district where the work is to be done. The board of directors of the sanitary district shall let bids as provided in this section or, if applicable, section 9.312 of the Revised Code. If the bids are for a contract for the construction, demolition, alteration, repair, or reconstruction of an improvement, the board of directors of the sanitary district shall let the contract to the lowest or best bidder who meets the requirements of section 153.54 of the Revised Code. If the bids are for a contract for any other work relating to the improvements for which a sanitary district was established, the board of directors of the sanitary district shall let the contract to the lowest or best bidder who gives a good and approved bond, with ample security, conditioned on the carrying out of the contract and the payment for all labor and material. The contract shall be in writing and shall be accompanied by or shall refer to plans and specifications for the work to be done prepared by the chief engineer. The plans and specifications at all times shall be made and considered a part of the contract. The contract shall be approved by the board and signed by the president of the board and by the contractor and shall be executed in duplicate. In case of emergency the advertising of contracts may be waived upon the consent of the board with the approval of the court or judge in vacation.

(B) In the case of a sanitary district organized wholly for the purpose of providing a water supply for domestic, municipal, and public use that includes two municipal corporations in two counties, any service to be purchased, including the services of an accountant, architect, attorney at law, physician, or professional engineer, at a cost in excess of fifty thousand dollars shall be obtained in the manner provided in sections 153.65 to 153.73 of the Revised Code. For the purposes of the application of those sections to division (B) of this section, all of the following apply:

(1) "Public authority," as used in those sections, shall be deemed to mean a sanitary district organized wholly for the purpose of providing a water supply for domestic, municipal, and public use that includes two municipal corporations in two counties;

(2) "Professional design firm," as used in those sections, shall be deemed to mean any person legally engaged in rendering professional design services as defined in division (B)(3) of this section;

(3) "Professional design services," as used in those sections, shall be deemed to mean accounting, architectural, legal, medical, or professional engineering services;

(4) The use of other terms in those sections shall be adapted accordingly, including, without limitation, for the purposes of division (D) of section 153.67 of the Revised Code;

(5) Divisions (A) to (C) of section 153.71 of the Revised Code do not apply.

(C) The board of directors of a district organized wholly for the purpose of providing a water supply for domestic, municipal, and public use may contract for, purchase, or otherwise procure for the benefit of employees of the district and pay all or any part of the cost of group insurance policies that may provide benefits, including, but not limited to, hospitalization, surgical care, major medical care, disability, dental care, vision care, medical care, hearing aids, or prescription drugs. Any group insurance policy purchased under this division shall be purchased from the health care corporation that the board of directors determines offers the most cost-effective group insurance policy.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.141, HB 509, §1, eff. 9/28/2012.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.28, HB 153, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2011.

Effective Date: 05-06-1998 .