The Jerome Township Trustees took a step Tuesday night toward adding three new properties to the Joint Economic Development District (JEDD).
The trustees held a public hearing during their regular meeting to discuss petitions from AWS, Velocys and Primose Schools to join the district.
Julie Donnan, legal counsel for the township, explained that a petition does not “change the substance of the contract, it just adds new properties.”
The Cooperative Economic Development Agreement (CEDA) approved by the township and city in 2019 dictates that any non-residential development in the district that requests water or sewer services, which are provided by the City of Marysville, must join the JEDD agreement.
Along with a public hearing by the township, the City of Marysville must hold a public hearing before legislation can be signed that officially adds the properties to the JEDD. Donnan said she expects Marysville’s hearing to be held next week.
No members of the public spoke during the township’s hearing.
The JEDD between Jerome Township and Marysville allows unincorporated areas, like the township, to levy income taxes for specific purposes.
Trustee Chair Wezlynn Davis said the JEDD ultimately allows the township to generate funds to improve infrastructure in the area that is necessary due to growth.
Through the JEDD, a 1.5% income tax will be levied on the income of persons working or residing within the JEDD and on the net profits of businesses located in the district.
Of the monies generated by the income tax, Davis explained that 60% will go to the JEDD Board for infrastructure improvements, with about 5% of that for administrative expenses. The remainder will be split with 20% each to the city and township.
Davis said she is thankful to Marysville City Manager Terry Emery and Union County/Marysville Economic Development Director Eric Phillips, who she said have both said the city’s funds will be used for infrastructure improvements in the Jerome Township area.
Donnan also distinguished the difference between the CEDA and the JEDD.
The CEDA allows jurisdictions to share resources in order to plan land use and future development, and essentially functions as the framework for the JEDD.
So, the properties which filed petitions are within the CEDA map, but the actual JEDD map will continue to grow as petitions from new properties are approved.
Donnan noted that “at least three more (properties) are lining up” to file petitions to join the JEDD agreement, so the township will likely host additional public hearings in the near future.
While unrelated to the properties which were the subject of the public hearing, a former trustee was present to share his opinion on certain economic development initiatives.
Former trustee Ron Rhodes spoke to the board during the public comment portion of the regular meeting.
He advised the current board to “be very vigilant” as they work with other entities on the JEDD.
Rhodes said he felt, while negotiating tax incentives like TIFs (Tax Incremental Financing) during his tenure on the board, “the money was not going to stay in Jerome Township.”
The former trustee said the “same parties are involved” and he is worried “the same situation has arisen again.”
“They admitted without Jerome Township, they have nothing… there’s not much else going on in the county.”
In other business:
– The trustees unanimously adopted rules for the township parks, which detail expected conduct and activities that are allowed.
Trustee Barry Adler recommended in the future considering implementing a process for reserving public areas within the township parks, similar to the system used to reserve the Township Hall.
Trustee Megan Sloat said, especially as the township grows, she feels a reservation system is a “really good idea.”
However, she said officials need to first consider how it would be enforced, in case there is a conflict between individuals trying to use a public space.
– Township Administrator Brandon Standley said an Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) specialist recently surveyed the pond at Harry Wolfe Park regarding concerns from residents and staff members that an invasive species of carp may be living in it.
Standley said the specialist only saw a species of carp that is harmless, but will return for additional testing.