Ohio Revised Code Title I. State Government § 163.051

Either an owner of property or an agency may request that the issue of the value of the property be submitted to nonbinding mediation. Any request for mediation shall be made in writing within ten business days after the owner files an answer pursuant to section 163.08 of the Revised Code. The court shall appoint a mediator, and the mediation shall be conducted and concluded within fifty days after the owner filed an answer. Only a judge may extend the time for concluding the mediation, and the judge may do so only for the reason of an inability to obtain an appraisal. The agency shall pay the cost of mediation.