A compromise has been reached between Ohio's legislative chambers that will send the issue of Cuyahoga County government reform to a commission that will develop recommendations to be put on the ballot for Cuyahoga voters to decide.

The nine-member Commission on Cuyahoga County Government Reform will consist of three Cuyahoga residents appointed by Ohio Senate President Bill Harris (R-Ashland) with one Democratic recommendation, three residents appointed by House Speaker Jon Husted (R-Kettering) with one Democratic recommendation and three residents appointed by Gov. Ted Strickland (D-Lisbon).

The commission is receiving an appropriation of $200,000 to go about its business in rendering a report on the matter. The commission will report its findings to the governor, legislative leaders and relevant committee chairs in legislative form by Nov. 7.

Husted had attached an amendment to the appropriations bill that would have sent the matter to the Cuyahoga County commissioners, who would then vote on whether to send the matter to voters. Husted attached the amendment after being approached about the matter by Cuyahoga Commissioner Tim Hagan (D).

The amendment was then removed by the Senate Finance Committee amidst concerns about taking elected officials out of county government and a call for more discussion on the matter.

Appointments for the commission are to be made 15 days after Gov. Strickland signs the bill.

The conference committee that formed the compromise on that matter amongst others included, on the Senate side, Finance Chair John Carey (R-Wellston), senior Democrat on the finance committee Capri Cafaro (D-Hubbard) and state Sen. Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond).

The House appointees include Finance Chair Jay Hottinger (R-Newark), senior Democrat on the finance committee Michael Skindell (D-Lakewood) and state Rep. Shannon Jones (R-Springboro).