(A) The regional or county planning commission may make studies, maps, plans, recommendations and reports concerning the physical, environmental, social, economic, and governmental characteristics, functions, services, and other aspects of the region or county, respectively. The commission may make such studies, maps, plans, recommendations, and other reports as to areas outside the region or county concerning the physical, environmental, social, economic, and governmental characteristics, functions, services, and other aspects which affect the development and welfare of the region or county respectively, as a whole or as more than one political unit within the region or county.

(B) The duties of the planning commission include, but are not limited to:

(1) Preparing the plans, including studies, maps, recommendations, and reports on:

(a) Regional goals, objectives, opportunities, and needs, and standards, priorities, and policies to realize such goals and objectives;

(b) Economic and social conditions;

(c) The general pattern and intensity of land use and open space;

(d) The general land, water, and air transportation systems, and utility and communication systems;

(e) General locations and extent of public and private works, facilities, and services;

(f) General locations and extent of areas for conservation and development of natural resources and the control of the environment;

(g) Long-range programming and financing of capital projects and facilities.

(2) Promoting understanding of and recommending administrative and regulatory measures to implement the plans of the region;

(3) Collecting, processing, and analyzing social and economic data, undertaking continuing studies of natural and human resources, coordinating such research with other government agencies, educational institutions, and private organizations;

(4) Contracting with and providing planning assistance to other units of local government, councils of governments, planning commissions, and joint planning councils; coordinating the planning with neighboring planning areas; cooperating with the state and federal governments in coordinating planning activities and programs in the region;

(5) Reviewing, evaluating, and making comments and recommendations on proposed and amended comprehensive land use, open space, transportation, and public facilities plans, projects, and implementing measures of local units of government; and making recommendations to achieve compatibility in the region;

(6) Reviewing, evaluating, and making comments and recommendations on the planning, programming, location, financing, and scheduling of public facility projects within the region and affecting the development of the area;

(7) Undertaking other studies, planning, programming, conducting experimental or demonstration projects found necessary in the development of plans for the region or county, and coordinating work and exercising all other powers necessary and proper for discharging its duties;

(8) Carrying out all of the functions and duties of a director of economic development under division (B) of section 307.07 of the Revised Code pursuant to any agreement with a county under division (A)(1) of that section.

(C) Wherever a regional planning commission has been established within the area of the jurisdiction of a county planning commission, the regional planning commission or the county planning commission may, by mutual agreement, transfer or delegate to the other, all, or part, of the functions, powers, and duties which either may perform.

(D) A regional planning commission may perform, by contract, the purchasing of supplies, services, materials, and equipment on behalf of any political subdivision participating in the commission or on behalf of any other political subdivision. For purposes of this division, the purchase of services includes, among other things, the purchase of insurance coverage for a political subdivision and its officials and employees against the legal liability of the insured in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to persons or property caused by or claimed to be caused by the negligence of the political subdivision or its officials or employees. Any political subdivision desiring to participate in a purchase contract with a regional planning commission shall file with the commission a certified copy of an ordinance or resolution of the political subdivision. The ordinance or resolution shall request that the political subdivision be authorized to participate in such a contract and shall agree that the political subdivision will be bound by such terms and conditions as the commission prescribes and that it will directly pay the vendor under each purchase contract. The commission may charge a political subdivision a reasonable fee to cover the administrative costs the commission incurs as a result of the political subdivision's participation in the purchase contract. Purchases made by a political subdivision participating with a regional planning commission under this division are exempt from any competitive bidding required by law for the purchase of supplies, services, materials, and equipment. No political subdivision shall make any purchase under this division when bids have been received for such purchase by the political subdivision, unless such purchase can be made upon the same terms, conditions, and specifications at a lower price under this division.

A regional planning commission, when entering into a purchase contract on behalf of a political subdivision as provided in this division, shall follow the competitive bidding procedures specified in sections 307.86 to 307.92 of the Revised Code.

Effective Date: 04-13-1990 .