There are four distinct highway systems in Ohio. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is responsible for the 19,000-mile State Highway System. The Township Trustees collectively oversee the maintenance of the Township Highway System with its 39,000 miles of roads. Municipalities maintain the streets and alleys within their boundaries, which together would span over 21,000 miles. The 30,000-mile County Highway System is, of course, the responsibility of Ohio's 88 County Engineers.

The County Engineer works with the County Commissioners and Township Trustees to carry out a wide variety of obligations, including:

Engineering
     • Roadway, bridge, and drainage design
     • Long range planning and engineering

Construction and Inspection
     • Administration of capital improvement contracts
             ◊ Bridge and roadway construction
             ◊ Annual pavement resurfacing program
     • Inspection, measurement, and documentation of all pay items
     • Adherence to bid specifications and plans
     • Prepares partial and final payments to all contractors
     • Right-of-way acquisition
     • Utility coordination and relocation
             ◊ Gas
             ◊ Water
             ◊ Electric
             ◊ Telephone
             ◊ Television
             ◊ Cable
             ◊ Sanitary sewers

     • Reviews and issues utility and driveway permits
     • Annual bridge field inspection

Operations and Maintenance
     • Road and bridge maintenance
             ◊ Ditching and drainage
             ◊ Culvert installation
             ◊ Pavement markings
             ◊ Pothole patching
             ◊ Bridge repair
             ◊ Berm work
             ◊ Guardrail repair
             ◊ Mowing
             ◊ Brush and weed control
             ◊ Snow and ice control
     • Emergency maintenance
             ◊ Storm damage
             ◊ Downed trees
             ◊ High water and flooding problems
             ◊ Debris

     • Traffic Operations
             ◊ Maintenance of traffic signs and pavement markings
             ◊ Collection of traffic data throughout the county
     • Maintenance and upgrade of vehicles and equipment
     • Training of personnel on safety procedures to ensure compliance with OSHA regulations
     • Building and grounds upkeep

Development Services
     • Engineering review for Paulding County Regional Planning Commission on new subdivision developments
     • Inspects construction of new subdivision streets
             ◊ Storm sewers
             ◊ Storm water management systems
             ◊ Road and bridge design
             ◊ Soil and erosion measures
             ◊ Traffic control

Administration and Finance
     • Records (public access to these records is always available)
             ◊ Permanent copies of all road and bridge plans
             ◊ Maps

             ◊ Aerial photos
             ◊ Benchmarks
             ◊ Land records
     • Budgets and payroll
             ◊ Management of annual budget
             ◊ Anticipation of fiscal needs
             ◊ Assessment of revenue availability
     • Public Information
             ◊ Coordination of project and construction information
             ◊ Media relations
             ◊ Development of Annual Report
             ◊ Development of Official Paulding County Transportation Map