Rep's Corner

Recently, the Ohio House of Representatives passed H.B. 187, which I sponsored, by a vote of 88-7, making numerous changes to the Ohio Revised Code dealing with “limited home rule” townships.

Following its passage I gave an interview to James Drew of the Toledo Blade which appeared in the paper on April 15, 1999. It has come to my attention that some have interpreted my sponsorship of the legislation and the subsequent Blade article to mean that I was taking a position favoring Sylvania Township in its annexation dispute with the city of Sylvania. Unfortunately, the Blade does not let me proof-read their articles for accuracy, therefore it is easy to understand why some may have thought I was taking a position. This is in fact not the case and I felt it important to set the record straight in this month’s edition of the “Rep’s Corner.”

First of all, I am not taking, nor do I think it proper for someone in my position to take, sides on disputes between government entities within my district. The city and township are very capable of working out their differences on this issue without intervention from the state. As the representative of both governmental subdivisions I have followed the issue with great interest but have not and would not intervene unless invited by both parties.

My sponsorship of H.B. 187 came as the direct result of a request by the Ohio Township Association (O.T.A.), and only after removal of all provisions that were opposed by the Ohio Municipal League (the organization which represents cities throughout the state). This legislation has been around many years and there were two reasons the O.T.A. came to me requesting my sponsorship: first, the original sponsor, Bill Batchelder, left the House of Representatives to become a judge and, secondly, because I represent 9 townships in Lucas County. The genesis of this bill dates to a period well before the current dispute between Sylvania and Sylvania Township. Let me restate with emphasis that H.B. 187 is not connected with the current dispute.

Sylvania and Sylvania Township have had the kind of symbiotic relationship over the years that is unprecedented in the state. Their cooperative relationship in fire services, joint recreation district, political parities and school system serve as a model of governmental cooperation that is not often seen around Ohio.

Limited home rule townships were created in law by H.B. 77 in 1991. The concept evolved out of a need for large urban townships to effectively address issues of public health, sanitation, and safety. Since inception only 8 of the 1309 townships in Ohio have become limited home rule townships, indicating changes were necessary in order to make the program work. In summary H.B. 187 does the following:
• Streamlines the process for adopting limited home rule township status
• Establishes an “Urban Township” designation
• Increases the allowable net indebtedness of limited home rule townships.
• Permits limited home rule townships to contract with an independent, professional engineer in lieu of using the county engineer.
• Requires county notification to townships regarding county plat or subdivision rules.
• Increases township membership on county planning commissions.
• Permits limited home rule townships, in addition to their current authority regarding water supply services, to adopt a general plan for sewer services.
• Increases the borrowing authority for all townships for certain purposes such as road maintenance supplies.

This legislation had 6 hearings in the House last year. This year it has had 4 hearings in the House and will have at least 4 hearings in the Senate. At no time during the process has there been any opponent testimony. The Ohio Municipal League, which represents all municipalities in Ohio did not object to the bill and in fact praised the sponsor and the House Local Government and Townships Committee for working with them to make the bill acceptable to cities.

It is my hope that this better explains the issues in H.B. 187 and my involvement in its passage. Again, I emphasize that this legislation is not connected in any way with any current or former disputes in Northwest Ohio. As the State Representative of District 51, I represent 140,000 residents in Northwest Ohio, some of who live in cities, some of who live in villages, and some who live in townships. I do not favor one over the other. I do, however, favor providing all governmental subdivisions the tools they need to serve their citizens best.

It is my hope and prayer that the leaders of Sylvania and Sylvania Township can work together and resolve their differences on the annexation issue. The outside world looks at the city of Sylvania and Sylvania Township as one community, the Sylvania community. That is much more important than this one issue. The Sylvania community will, in my opinion work through this issue and continue to be the model of cooperation for others to follow.


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