Logan County Commissioner Joe Antram attended the 2025 County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAO) Summer Symposium this week at the Hocking Hills Lodge and Conference Center in Hocking County.
This year’s symposium centered on The County Toolbox: Education, Advocacy, and Leading through Change, bringing together commissioners, executives, council members, and county staff from across Ohio to discuss policy issues and hear from experts in multiple fields.
“As Secretary of the CCAO Board of Directors, I am proud of the valuable opportunities for learning and networking that the annual Summer Symposium offers CCAO members,” Antram said. “It is crucial that Logan County Commissioners keep current with statewide policy that directly affects our citizens.”
The symposium opened with sessions on property tax law and reform, featuring presentations from State Representative David Thomas, Stark County Commissioner Alan Harold, Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus, Lawrence County Auditor Chris Kline, and Greg Lawson, research fellow at The Buckeye Institute.
Attendees gained insight into Ohio’s current tax system and proposals for improvement.
Other sessions highlighted tourism management strategies from the host county, housing policy updates from Ohio REALTORS and The Montrose Group, and workshops on navigating crucial conversations.
County leaders also examined the impact of the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act on local government.
When asked about his key takeaways, Antram emphasized the importance of communication between counties and higher levels of government.
“Funding policies that are formulated at the state and federal levels can negatively affect local budgets when implemented,” he said. “I took away ideas on how to better communicate with officials so they understand the ramifications of their decisions on Logan County citizens.”
Antram also served as a moderator during one of the symposium’s policy panels, sharing his own perspective on the responsibility county commissioners have to keep state and federal lawmakers informed of local concerns.
“Participation in the CCAO Summer Symposium was a great use of my time,” he added. “It brought together perspectives on safety, human services, and community development from across Ohio. The networking opportunities alone were invaluable.”
A snapshot from the event included Antram with Jonathan Hofstetter, Wayne County Commissioner and CCAO Board of Directors member, and Tony Anderson, Fayette County Commissioner and CCAO Executive Committee member.
All three serve on the CCAO Rural and Agriculture Affairs Committee and discussed current trends in farming and commodity markets.
The County Commissioners Association of Ohio works to strengthen county government statewide through advocacy, education, research, and public awareness initiatives.
