Regional Councils of Governments (COGs)

This page provides links to information about COG registration, financial statements, and audits.

Regional councils of governments are public entities created under Ohio Revised Code (ORC) §167.

A few key sections of the statute:

  • ORC §167.01 describes regional councils of governments as “governing bodies of any two or more counties, municipal corporations, townships, special districts, school districts, or other political subdivisions may enter into an agreement with each other, or with the governing bodies of any counties, municipal corporations, townships, special districts, school districts or other political subdivisions of any other state to the extent that laws of such other state permit, for establishment of a regional council consisting of such political subdivisions.”
  • ORC §167.04(D) provides the following requirements: “the officers of the council shall notify the auditor of state of the regional council's formation, provide a copy of the council's by-laws, and provide on a form prescribed by the auditor of state any other information regarding the regional council that the auditor of state considers necessary. The council shall take no official action, other than formation, before notifying the auditor of state of its formation in accordance with this section. Any official action the council takes before making that notification, including entering into any contract, is void.”
  • ORC §167.07(A)(2) states “a regional council of governments is considered a public agency for purposes of Chapter 102.”

Additional Information: