The possibility that Ohio voters could approve a constitutional amendment to abolish property taxes in November has township officials looking for ways to replace potentially lost revenue.
The possibility that Ohio voters could approve a constitutional amendment to abolish property taxes in November has township officials looking for ways to replace potentially lost revenue.
Townships cannot levy income or sales taxes, Claridon Township Trustee Jonathan Tiber said during the April 6 meeting.
He has discussed the possibility of forming a joint economic development district, or JEDD, with Chardon’s city manager.
“Is it possible? We don’t know,” he said, noting that about 75% of the township’s $1.3 million budget comes from property taxes.
If property taxes were abolished, only about $318,000 would remain to cover the cost of maintaining roads and fire/EMS protection, Tiber said.
“You can pretty much kiss the township goodbye if there’s no other avenue of revenue,” Tiber added. “It would be foolish of us not to consider other revenue avenues.”
Trustee Eric Brindo said establishing a JEDD would be a complex process.
“A joint economic development district is in the very, very early stages. We’re exploring our options,” he said. “We want to see if it’s something our residents think we should do. It would be an important decision. It’s for everybody.”
Tiber noted that a significant portion of township parcels are owned by Geauga County, including the new county office building on Ravenwood Drive and other land zoned for institutional use.
“There’s 20 county agencies in Claridon Township. We love having them here,” he said, adding that many states do not have townships, so the county is responsible for providing services to residents.
In other business, trustees voted to contract with Dumpster Bandit to provide portable restrooms at township parks.
A standard unit at Aquilla Village Park will cost $128 per month for weekly service, and a handicapped-accessible unit at Claridon Township Park will cost $194 per month for weekly service.
Trustees also approved paying Better Together Solar up to $1,200 to reconnect the township’s solar panels.
“Our panels are operational, but not communicating,” Brindo said.
BTS examined the panels on the administration building and reported they should work, but they have not produced electricity for at least six years. Brindo noted that the company that installed the panels is no longer in business.
Trustees discussed the township’s old wood outhouses on the township square.
Resident Rick Reid will remove the single-person outhouse and rebuild the two-person structure, Brindo said.
“He volunteers at Century Village (Museum). Anything old, he wants it,” he said, adding Reid is a master carpenter.
The decrepit structures, which still see some use, have been a topic of discussion for years.
“I feel this is a win-win for Claridon Township,” Tiber said. “We have gotten expensive quotes. We don’t need two there.”
The township will be responsible for sealing off the remaining infrastructure, he said.
