Commissioners outline plan to form county land bank, aim for July 1 operational target

Hocking County commissioners said June 5 they will move forward with creating a county land bank and plan to sign a resolution to form the entity within days.

Commissioners reported a recent meeting with the Athens County treasurer’s office, which runs an existing land bank and provided step-by-step guidance. County officials said the next formal step is for the commissioners to sign a resolution to create the land bank. After that, staff plan to establish a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, register it with the Ohio Secretary of State, and complete the administrative steps required to operate a land bank.

Commissioners originally discussed a target start date of Jan. 1 but said they now expect the land bank to be established by July 1, 2025. County officials said the treasurer’s office will be central to operations, mirroring Athens County’s model, and that officials will return with required documents and a draft resolution for commissioners’ signatures.

A county commissioner characterized the Athens County treasurer’s assistance as “very, very helpful,” noting the outside treasurer walked through the process and that the county now has a clearer timeline for formation. Commissioners said the land bank will follow the statutory steps required for property acquisition and disposition but did not adopt any implementing policy or transfer decisions at the June 5 meeting.

The commissioners indicated additional administrative work and interoffice coordination will be necessary after the resolution is signed, including nonprofit formation and documentation for state filings.