Jerome Township residents decisively struck down a measure to implement limited home rule while electing a former trustee to a vacant seat on the board.
Voters cast 3,218 ballots against limited home rule, or 73.93% of the total vote, compared to 1,135 votes in favor of the measure, according to unofficial results from the Union County Board of Elections.
“While limited home rule did not pass, I want to assure the citizens of Jerome Township that their voices have been heard,” Trustee Chair Wezlynn Davis wrote in a statement Wednesday. “The township trustees recognize the importance of finding effective solutions to enhance the quality of life for our families.”
Limited home rule is an expanded form of government approved by the Ohio legislature in 1991 to help townships struggling with growth because they did not have the same tools as municipalities.
While the additional powers allowed by limited home rule are wide-ranging, they include the authority to hire an engineer, the requirement to provide police services and the ability to supply water and sewer services.
The trustees repeatedly said they intended to maintain partnerships with the Union County Sheriff’s Office and City of Marysville for police protection and water and sewer services, respectively, but would like to hire their own engineer to work alongside the Union County Engineer’s Office.
While the form of government is more similar to a municipal corporation’s home rule authority, it is still limited in that the township still would not be able to impose an income tax on residents or create criminal offenses.
When the Board of Trustees voted to place the measure on the ballot, Davis said limited home rule would provide the township more “flexibility and autonomy” over economic development tools that can be used to address infrastructure needs.
“The aim was to provide the township with additional tools akin to those available to municipalities, with the main objective of addressing infrastructure projects according to the residents’ desired timeline and bringing decision-making capabilities even closer to the local level,” Davis wrote in a statement Wednesday.
Davis said she is appreciative of the township residents’ “active engagement in the democratic process” and “recognizing the importance of their vote and the pivotal role it plays in shaping our community.”
With that, she said the board will continue to seek solutions for challenges faced by the community.
“We will continue to work diligently on collaborating with our county partners and are dedicated to presenting new ideas and strategies to improve Jerome Township, ensuring a better future for all,” Davis included in her statement.
In the race for the seat being vacated by Trustee Megan Sloat, who did not seek reelection, Joe Craft received 1,669 votes, or 43.09% of the total, according to unofficial results from the Union County Board of Elections.
Aaron Grabovich received 1,437 votes and Bill Neumeyer followed with 767.
Craft thanked those on his election committee for their support and community members for allowing him to serve another term on the Board of Trustees.
“I’d like to thank the residents for voting for me,” Craft said. “I love this community and it’s my honor to serve it.”