County Departments

Local government is the public administration of towns, cities, counties and districts. Notice that this type of government includes both county and municipal government structures. It can be challenging, but these entities must work together to administrate a particular geographic area. As citizens, we have much more contact with our local governments than we do with the federal government. This is because local government runs our city utilities, fire departments, public swimming pools, parks, local law enforcement and many other areas of our everyday lives. Below is a list of our county departments located here in Ross County.

Board of Elections

475 Western Ave. Suite D
Chillicothe, OH 45601
740-775-2350

Each of Ohio’s 88 counties has a Board of Elections (BOE) office that is responsible for administering local elections. A four-person board governs each BOE; with two members from each major political party. All petitions for local, legislative, and congressional district offices are filed at Boards of Elections as well as petitions for local issues and options. Campaign finance reports for local candidates, political parties, and political action committees are also filed at BOEs...
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Building Department

15 North Paint Street
Chillicothe, OH 45601
740-773-7200

The Ross County Planning and Building Departments operate under the authority of the Ross County Board of Commissioners. We provide a wide range of services including commercial building inspections, grants, addressing, access permits, manufactured home installation inspection, floodplain management, subdivision and commercial development review, community development, and fair housing...
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Dog Warden

2308 Lick Run Road, Suite B
Chillicothe, OH 45601
740-772-5929

Dog wardens keep communities safe in many ways. First, dog wardens must patrol their respective counties and seize and impound on sight all stray dogs found running freely. Dog wardens must also seize and impound all dogs more than three months of age found not wearing a valid registration tag. Keeping stray dogs off the streets reduces the number of potential dog attack victims...

OSU Extension

475 Western Avenue Suite F
Chillicothe, OH 45601
740-702-3200

Since 1914, Extension has been helping all Ohioans build better lives, better businesses and better communities. Ohio State University Extension brings the knowledge of the university directly to you. We fulfill the land-grant mission of The Ohio State University by interpreting knowledge and research developed by Extension and other faculty and staff at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Ohio State main campus, and other land-grant universities – so Ohioans can use the scientifically-based information to better their lives, businesses and communities...
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Ross County Health District

150 E Second Street
Chillicothe, OH 45601
740-779-9652

The Ross County Health District Strives to improve the health and safety of our community through education, prevention, policy, and partnerships. The Ross County Health District was formed in 1979, when the Boards of Health of the Chillicothe City Health Department (1888) and the Ross County General Health District (1920) agreed to a merger. Even before the merger, the two health agencies usually shared one health commissioner and most of the time they shared office space and other resources...
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Ross County Humane Society

2308 Lick Run Road
Chillicothe, OH 45601
740-775-6808

Since our inception in 1912, the Ross County Humane Society has been committed to the general welfare, shelter and placement of animals, prevention of cruelty and over population, and education concerning humane treatment of all living creatures. The Humane Society is nonprofit corporation governed by a Board of Directors comprised of volunteers from the community who are dedicated to animal welfare...
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South Central Ohio Job and Family Services

475 Western Avenue Suite B
Chillicothe, OH 45601
740-773-2651

The South Central Ohio Job and Family Services offers a wide range of assistance. This includes employment and training assistance, unemployment benefits, cash assistance, food assistance, child care, child and adult protective services, adoption, and child support...
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Roweton Family Center

102 Cattail Road
Chillicothe, OH 45601
740-702-2210

The Roweton School is provided for Ross County students from grades six through 12 on the Campus of the John W. Roweton Trust in partnership with the Ross/Pike Educational Service Center. The Roweton School offers a holistic educational approach for students with challenging behavioral issues referred mostly by the Juvenile Court and seven local school districts. The Roweton School is a welcoming, supportive environment that combines intensive educational, behavioral and vocational approaches to ensure student progress...
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Litter Control and Recycling

15 N Paint Street Suite 301
Chillicothe, OH 45601
740-772-5326

As a result of House Bill 592, each Ohio county is required to establish or join other counties to form a "solid waste management district." The Ross, Pickaway, Highland, Fayette Joint Solid Waste Management District (RPHF SWMD) was established in 1989. The District began the necessary process to comply with regulations and goals set by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency...
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Ross County Park District

15 N Paint Street Suite 301
Chillicothe, OH 45601
740-773-8794

It is the mission of the Ross County Park District to provide the best possible outdoor experience for the citizens of Ross County through nature conservation and education, health and wellness opportunities, and secure, well maintained recreational facilities...
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Ross County Planning Department

15 North Paint Street
Chillicothe, OH 45601
740-702-3008

Soil and Water Conservation District

475 Western Avenue, Suite H
Chillicothe, OH 45601
740-772-4110

The Ross Soil and Water Conservation District was formed in 1947. The District is a legally organized political subdivision of the State of Ohio that is governed by a volunteer Board of Supervisors elected by Ross County residents. Ross SWCD assists landowners with the planning and implementation of conservation practices...
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Ross County Title Department

475 Western Avenue, Suite H
Chillicothe, OH 45601
740-702-3023

As mandated by Ohio law, the Ross County Clerk of Courts has a Title Department. The Ross County Title Division of the Clerk of Courts issues and maintains all motor vehicle and watercraft titles for all OHIO residents. In addition to title transfers, the title department is responsible for recording lien transactions and collecting fees and sales tax on purchases. We also issue passports and watercraft registrations. No small task, the primary challenge is one of record management...
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Veterans Service Commission

475 Western Avenue, Suite C
Chillicothe, OH 45601
740-772-1600

Our mission is to provide temporary assistance for basic needs to those who served their country honorably. Services include guidance in applying for benefits administered by the VA such as pension, compensation & survivor benefits, navigating the appeals process, address changes, military records recovery, replacement medals, decorations and awards...
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